If you’re sick and tired of the modern usage of the word “punk”, and miss when punk actually meant something, this is the band for you. Mermaid Island is a punk rock band who released their debut recently, and oh man did I love that album! Check out my full thoughts in this review.
I had the chance to chat with the band’s vocalist Alex MacDonald to talk about the new album, how it felt for her, and her feelings about life inside and outside of music.
Reuel
Hello, Alex! I’m so happy to chat with you. How are things going with you and Mermaid Island right now?
Alex MacDonald
Things are great. And also insane. The band is happy, so I’m happy. It’s always busy, and always fun. It feels like we’re entering a new level so I’m just trying to keep everything aligned and in order while we go through some growth and changes.
Reuel
That’s amazing! Congratulations on releasing your debut album earlier this month! It’s undoubtedly a huge milestone for any artist. How are you feeling about the reception and the reactions it’s gotten so far?
Alex MacDonald
It’s been really incredible to see how positively people have responded to the record. This was such an organic thing for us to record. We basically just recorded our set list. I think it’s getting this response because so much music these days is contrived in a studio setting and this has the energy of a real live performance. It was built from the ground up as a documentation of what we do live and I think people are excited about that.
Reuel
Yeah, I loved it! Since this is your first full-length release, it’s a big statement about who you are as a band. What’s the main thing you want people to feel after listening to Mermaid Island?
Alex MacDonald
I want people to feel exactly how I feel when we play shows: energized, confident, loud, and connected. I hope it inspires people to take action. Whatever that might be. If it’s picking up your own guitar and starting your own band. Doing anything creative. Communicating. Working on something. Making something, building something. Getting out of the house, making friends and finding your community.
Reuel
What is a song or a specific lyric on the album that you feel hasn’t gotten the main spotlight yet but holds a massive amount of weight for you?
Alex MacDonald
Subtitles. It wasn’t a single, so it feels like it hasn’t had its moment yet. It’s our favorite song to play live. It’s got a lot of Celtic influence and weird dynamics, so it’s a little unexpected. It’s the hardest song to play, and the most fun. Once we all got it, and it got tight, it was magic on stage. It makes me want to bring more Celtic undertone into the next record.
Reuel
Aside from writing music and performing together, what ideas or ethos bring Mermaid Island as a group to work together in the same direction?
Alex MacDonald
We all have to be having a fucking blast, otherwise it’s not worth it. We’d have to do it for free and we have to be friends first. The minute it starts to feel like a job, you’re in the wrong band. This has always been about creating something truly joyful and free from capitalist and societal pressures. Its focus is on the experience of in person connection. We are all heading towards the same goals of touring as much as our bodies can stand for as long as humanly possible. We just want to play shows and travel. It used to feel like a distant dream, and now we’re almost there.
Reuel
In an alternate reality where music is tasted, just like food, what would Mermaid Island’s music taste like?
Alex MacDonald
We actually did this cool interview with a food blog and she made a meal based on our band. She made a donair, which is an east coast Canadian thing that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.
Check it out here.
Reuel
Oh nice! I’m going to check that out. What is your favorite album, or albums, of all time?
Alex MacDonald
I grew up on folk music in Canada, so my favorite albums of all time are the ones that remind me of home. The first one that comes to mind is Sarah Harmer’s You Were Here which was her first solo record, and the only one my mom and I would agree on listening to. We would listen to it on repeat in the car when I was a kid.
Reuel
What are your thoughts on how women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?
Alex MacDonald
I saw a lot of pressure to fit into a certain image in the beginning. But it didn’t really affect me. I think it’s cool to do whatever you want. A lot of people, especially men, tried to get involved with this band when we first started out and shape us into their version of what they thought we should be. If I was younger and more naive, I’m sure it would have changed the band. But one of the things that is really important to me about this band is that I’m not just representing myself as an artist and songwriter, but I’m here in a leadership role. There is so much more that goes on behind the scenes in terms of building and running a band, keeping a team together, and managing all the people and logistics involved. I want to see more women leaders in bands, in communities, in business. This isn’t only about going off and expressing our anger (which we have a lot of) it’s also about building something sustainable that is owned and operated by us. If one little girl out there feels empowered to take control of her own life, I’m doing my job correctly.
Reuel
Very well said. Thank you for your time, Alex! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Alex MacDonald
If you like our band, the biggest thing you can do to support us is go to your local record store and request our record. And for fun, hit us up to play in your backyard, because we will.
Follow Mermaid Island
0 Comments