Molly May O’Leary discusses ‘Ghost,’ revealing how her diverse musical background, collaborations, and intellectual curiosity shape a haunting blend of folk, electronic, and classical sounds reflecting grief and isolation.
1. “Ghost” is described as a fusion of folk, electronic, and classical influences. How did you approach blending these genres to reflect the themes of grief and isolation in the song?
I think it partially developed naturally from my background and what I listen to. I used to play cello as a child. This background influences my taste, and also sometimes seems to be what I’m longing for, maybe to return to in a certain sense. That electronic string motif came first and the rest developed from there.
2. The lyric ‘I am trying to see but sometimes I only find me’ captures a sense of distorted perception. Can you talk about the personal or artistic experiences that inspired this line?
Yeah. It kind of captures that confusion that comes with deep isolation, a sort of para-personal longing when you’re craving intimacy- for me it was a mixture of heartbreak, unrequited love and grief in a certain sense.
3. Your musical journey spans sean-nós, choir singing, and experimental projects. How have these diverse backgrounds shaped the sound and emotional depth of your work today?
Massively I think. In terms of the singing, the classical and Sean-nós stuff really informs my sound. In terms of that experimental album Lambent Flame, that was really when I learned how to be an artist, how to play and be free with sound.
4. Many of your projects, like your 2021 concept album, have combined research, literature, and music. How important is intellectual or philosophical exploration in your creative process?
Yes, it’s quite important. It’s just the way I think. I was actually writing an essay around the time I wrote Ghost and that’s what inspired the lines “I am trying to see but sometimes I only find me”. It was about grasping for something beyond language, beyond the mind, and never knowing if you really get there.
5. You’ve collaborated with artists like Liam Ó Maonlaí and Blue Niall. How do collaborations influence your writing and musical expression, particularly when exploring themes as intimate as grief?
Collaboration is huge for me, I love it. I actually find it can be a beautiful way to explore intimate themes, although this was a solo track. As it allows these parts of ourselves which feel so tender to be held in music with others. They become shared but in a safe way. It’s very beautiful and cathartic.
6. “Ghost” was released on Halloween, a date traditionally associated with spirits and the unseen. Was this timing intentional, and how do you see the connection between music, ritual, and emotional experience?
Yes it totally was! Yes, music is similar to ritual in the sense that it allows us to express and honour things in a certain setting beyond daily life- giving truth and allowing for the unseen maybe, or spirits
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