M. Femme Music Review and Interview

M. Femme is a synth-pop band from Seattle that your gonna want to know of.

M. Femme’s new single Strangest Dream is the perfect balance of dreamy pop that is such an easy listen. The vocals of Sam Macorella, who shares the title of fronting the band, are just incredible. She just has the most beautiful and soulful voice that really entrances the listener.

The band, which consists of Alex Hecker, Steve Steele, Sam Macorella, Nick Nihil, Jack Chandelier, and Jon Goneau, all work extremely well together, creating this very fun energy not only on stage but through their sound.

I got to speak with Alex about the band, getting to know some of the influences and direction of where they want to go.

AZ:

Who makes up the band?

ALEX:

Alex Hecker -- Principal songwriter, also co-fronts and plays rhythm guitar and some keys/synth

Steve Steele (instagram.com/heliosarts/) -- bass, arranging, executive production, songwriting, synths, general musical mastermind

Sam Mascorella (instagram.com/samascosauce/) -- Co-frontperson, serves lewks, has the voice of an angel, etc.

Nick Nihil (instagram.com/offgrandfamous/) -- Guitar genius, maker of thought-provoking noises

Jack Chandelier (instagram.com/jackchandelier) -- drum stylist with impeccable feel, a devil-may-care attitude, and a legendary coif

Jon Goneau (instagram.com/human_gno) -- rhodes, organ, synth, friendship

AZ:

How long have you guys been playing together?

ALEX:

we've been playing in M. Femme as such for a little under a year, but we've been playing together in Seattle's premiere motown cover band, the Highsteppers (instagram.com/the_highsteppers), for around 5 years or so. We've gigged together hundreds of times pre-M. Femme and have been able to parlay the tightness/communication that we developed with the Highsteppers into this project.

AZ:

What are some inspirations and some potential collaborations in the future (or hopeful collaborations)?

ALEX:

Seattle is just chock full of top-tier musicians that are bringing some really far-out sounds to the table. It's exciting to feel like we're on the cutting edge of pop music in some ways. I'm particularly inspired by the music that Day Soul Exquisite (instagram.com/daysoulexquisite) is putting out in the neo soul genre and am trying to make the stars align for a collab or concert with them. Great voice, great songwriting, great musical textures. General Mojo’s (Instagram.com/generalmojos) also blows my mind. They have a tune called “Clocks Run Out” that’s a straight banger. Trying to make some collab happen with them in 2023. Style King of the Week (Instagram.com/style.king.of.the.week) is one of the most inventive local acts out there IMHO, and I’m really hoping to work with them in some capacity. Maybe a remix or co-writing some new material. Julia Laine (Instagram.com/juliaaalaine) is another local artist I love. Their style is a bit afield from ours admittedly, but I think there are enough overlapping influences and concepts that a show together or song collab could be cool.

AZ:

Your stuff is quite jazzy with a heavy dreamy pop sound, is that something you're hoping to lean more into (as that genre is rising in popularity/ what other elements are you hoping to bring in)?

ALEX:

most definitely. I think M. Femme makes weird but accessible pop music. “Weird” insofar as it inflects pop concepts with jazz harmonies with dreamy, synthy textures. I think that weirdness is at the core of our musical vision.

The music we’re writing lately aims to uplift listeners and bring the party — somewhere at the spiritual and stylistic nexus between Odelay-era Beck’s ironic, sludgy, boom bap alternative rock, late aughts Kings of Leon’s anthemic pop, early Vampire Weekend’s tongue-in-cheek lyrical content and liberal lifting of African township music rhythms, the swirling synth textures of Beach House, the sweaty urgency of Hex Hector’s remixes of Whitney Houston songs, and Rex Orange County’s tasty jazz-tinged pop. Would be happy to send you a preview of some music that we’re working on now, if it’d be useful for your piece.

Finally, I think as a band we want to write more music that capitalizes on the talents of our gifted vocalist, Sam. She’s just so fucking good.

AZ:

Where are you guys hoping to see yourself in the next couple of years/ any plans for the next couple of months?

ALEX:

we plan to release a new single every quarter starting Q1 2023. At that same time, we want to start gigging more around the NW, not just Seattle. Hopefully with some exposure at festivals. We’re also in talks with labels right now re: distribution and management, so I’m hoping we have that dialed in in the next few months. Most importantly, this project should keep being fun (at least most of the time) for both listeners and those making the music. I think our live shows are so thrilling (if I may say so myself) because of how much we as a band enjoy playing together. In a couple years I want to continue the upward trajectory we’re on, but with even more fun.

Thank you Alex for taking the time to speak to us. Everyone else, stream Strangest Dream!