Indie-pop music has become very popular of late, which I’m loving! One such artist from the genre is London-based artist Makeup. We reviewed his gorgeous song, All My Friends Are High, recently, and it’s genuinely one of the best things I’ve heard this year so far, I absolutely love it! I implore you to check it out at the end of this interview with Makeup!
By Jane Howkins
You released a single titled All My Friends Are High. What can you tell us about the track?
It’s a big fun, energetic banger (in my opinion), but it was born out quite a lot of feelings of frustration. We grow up holding mostly the same values our parents and schools taught us, believing that life is going to be a certain way and follow an essentially pre-determined path. This is, as we all now know, a load of rubbish. So the song is essentially exploring that realisation and the frustration of realising you’ve wasted a lot of time stressing about things that ultimately aren’t worth the effort.
How has the reception to All My Friends Are High been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
It’s on all the regular streaming platforms, reputable or otherwise (sort out those royalties Spotify).
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Very soon! I’m not telling you what it’s called yet but VERY soon.
Are there any plans to release a full-length album or an EP?
Yes! All My Friends Are High is the second track of a four track EP. It’s loosely a concept EP based on an individual going through the five stages of grief after hearing that the world is going to end. All My Friends Are High supposedly represents the anger and bargaining stages for our character, although a lot of that is a sneaky way to give me plausible deniability.
Your music has a gorgeous indie-pop sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
My strongest influences are the likes of Bowie, My Chemical Romance and Cage the Elephant, but there’s a bottomless well of people and artists that have influenced my music.
My listening habits are often dictated by what Spotify weekly throws my way. I love hearing new stuff! I’m also one of those freaks who don’t use playlists but have everything saved in ‘liked songs’. I hit shuffle and let fate decide.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up this year?
I have a gig at The Star of Kings in Kings Cross on the 25th of May! I’m sure there’ll be more after that but that’s the main one so far!
What do you think is the most challenging aspect of the music industry at the moment?
There’s so many but for me, getting your music heard and in front of people that aren’t just your circle of friends. God love them but your mates aren’t your target audience. Figuring out how to do that has gotten even harder with the amount of snake oil being shifted to new artists. Especially on TikTok where ‘music marketers’ are giving you ‘three tips to grow you music’ then charging £100 for their online marketing courses. I am one of those new artists and the amount of conflicting tips, tricks and general noise gets so overwhelming that you end up a bit paralysed.
Where are you based? How is the local music scene faring at the moment?
I’m based in London and the scene is incredible. I don’t think it gets enough credit or exposure. There are so many amazing people and incredible artists making awesome stuff but with the constant underfunding of arts, neglect of venues and slashing of BBC introducing, it doesn’t get the exposure it deserves. And that’s LONDON, so imagine how smaller cities are being affected.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
I wish haha
Any last words for the fans?
Stay classy x