Montana Sharp is Epic Pop
Montana Sharp has released her new single ‘Way Of The Whiffler’ off her highly-anticipated debut EP, Blood Moon. A clever exploration of the Old English word whiffler as it pertains to the confusion and ever-changing opinions of youth. With Blood Moon set for release on the 11th of February we took time out with Montana to ask about being labelled a ‘musician’s musician’ , closing a chapter and her new genre Epic Pop.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, how do you describe your sound?
I’ve come up with the term Epic Pop which I think describes my sound well; it’s pop but the mood is heightened, like when you’re listening to a movie soundtrack. I like using very lush instrumentation, dramatic chord progressions that really play on suspense and climaxes, anything that mixes the conventional with the unconventional.
Tell us about your new song ‘Way of the Whiffler’? What does the song mean to you?
I wrote this song when I was 20, and it was definitely a departure in terms of my style of writing prior - which was honestly just ballad after ballad. I guess I saw myself as a sort of “whiffler” because there were so many changes within me and around me at that time, which was exciting but scary. I think the song encapsulates those two emotions.
‘Way of the Whiffler’ is from your forthcoming EP ‘Blood Moon’ when is the album out?
The EP is out Feb 11th, FINALLY! I started it in early 2019 for release in early 2020, but covid kinda set us off course and here we are three years later. Kinda worked out well though, because here I am at 25 reflecting on songs that I wrote when I was 20/21, so it feels like a nice ending to the chapter.
“I am at 25 reflecting on songs that I wrote when I was 20/21, so it feels like a nice ending to the chapter.”
What can fans expect from the new release?
A lot of diversity across the tracks - some are more upbeat than others, but all within the same epic aesthetic. Lots of rich production too!
Do you have a favourite or stand out song from Blood Moon? If so, why is it special to you?
It would have to be Enough, the fourth track. I play piano on that track, and it’s just me and a piano - the exact way I started out. I’d also say it’s the most personal and honest song on the list. It’s too raw to ever perform live again, so this is it folks!
Are there plans to tour for the album?
I bloody wish- one day fingers and toes crossed. The live music scene is dying for a reboot.
How did you get your start in music?
My dad played piano on the Melbourne scene in the 80s and 90s. I wasn’t the best sleeper as a newborn so he would play piano to soothe me to sleep. I started taking lessons when I was 7, and kept taking lessons in classical piano all the way through till I was 18. I started singing lessons when I was about 14, but didn’t write songs till I was in Uni. Uni was a very formative experience for me as an artist - it was a very nurturing environment and we really got to learn from the best of the best.
“I’ve learnt from and been surrounded by so many skilled musicians, and in my eyes, I’ll never be as good as them- but I’m just happy to be another player on the same field!”
You are described as “highly trained, highly skilled” and a “musician’s musician” while these are amazing compliments, does this place an expectation on you that a lot of artists never have to worry about? Does it complicate your creative process trying to live up to the expectations?
They are very high compliments indeed, and hard for me to accept. It’s true that I’ve had a lot of musical education, but that also means that I’ve learnt from and been surrounded by so many skilled musicians, and in my eyes, I’ll never be as good as them- but I’m just happy to be another player on the same field!
It took a long time for me to shed those high expectations, and for a while, I set the bar so high for myself that music just stopped giving me joy. I had to reframe my approach and learn to enjoy the ride a bit more. I might be a musician's musician, but I’m a person first, musician second.
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
Yes! I played a lot of the synth sounds, did my own Bvs and edited a lot of the vocals too. Steve from Soggy Dog Recording taught me everything I know :)
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Alanis Morissette, Sia, Queen, Christina Perri, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, AC/DC, Beyoncé, Adele - to name a few!
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
FLOP.
The venue said they would provide the microphone, but they forgot… so you couldn’t hear half of my set. Eventually I decided to cut the inaudible songs and just recycle the same songs over and over. I hated it and I still cringe thinking back on it.
“Sending lots of luv to the music industry, we’ve had it so tough. ”
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Shout out to my Dad who came with me to every piano lesson and sat with me while I cried about doing my scales, and who cried when I cried about the flop gig. I asked him why he was crying and he said “I just don’t want you to give up on your dream”, so I won’t Dad :)
Along with ‘Blood Moon’, What can fans look forward to from Montana Sharp in 2022?
More gigs, new songs, and hopefully a better year for everyone. Sending lots of luv to the music industry, we’ve had it so tough.
Blood Moon EP
Interview by Michelle Symes
February 2022