We premiered one of Molly Drag's songs a couple years back alongside a warning that it would almost certainly ruin your emotions, and since then the Montreal-based singer-songwriter (real name Michael Hansford) has been grinding to provide some of the most depressing, atmospheric music this side of Carissa's Wierd. Today we're premiering "Marrow" from his forthcoming album Whatever Reason, which comes out sometime in April. You can thank Russian artist Anastasia Cass for the equally dark and adorable artwork, which sort of gives the impression of looking at an old book of fairy tales through a veil of tears and in that regard perfectly summarises the vibe of "Marrow".If you're trying to suppress all your sentiments in an effort to get through Valentine's Day by being a robot person then maybe don't play this. If you're down to feel some true goddamn feelings, the listen below and read a Q&A with Michael below.
Michael: I woke up at 4:45am, had a cigarette and a tall glass of water. Afterwards I walked to work while listening to some Helvetia.Lit. Where did the name Molly Drag come from?
I've heard rumours about it being a reference to MDMA but it really isn't. I've also heard that it's similar to actor/singer Molly Drake aka Nick Drake's mother but it's not that either. It came out of word experimentation and just stuck I guess. I wish I could say there's something deep there but there isn't because I'm not that cool.Your album is called "Whatever Reason". What does that phrase mean to you?
It came out from a discussion with my best friend one night. Technically, he helped me come up with the title from that conversation alone a week or so before moving to Montreal in a small Ford Taurus from London, Ontario where I was living before. It was a long 9 hour drive and I moved here with barely anything aside from my iMac, microphone, guitar and clothes… What it means to me in reflection is sometimes you just have to take a risk and do something you've always wanted to but may have been fearful of before. Montreal was that to me. However, I am here now and I am definitely in a better mind-set, for "whatever reason".Name three things you consider to be essential.
Friendship, freedom, and coffee.Nice. You played with Desaparecidos a couple of years back. Being a down-tempo in-touch-with-your-feelings songwriter I'm sure you get a lot of Bright Eyes comparisons like almost everyone else with a guitar. Is that annoying or do you take it as a compliment?
Definitely a compliment. I've been in adoration of Conor's work for many years and getting to not only play a show with his original band, but drink wine with him in a tiny green room for two hours was a dream come true. Probably the best night of my life in terms of musical achievements.How would you describe Molly Drag to someone who's never heard your music before?
It's music written and recorded by somebody that listened to "disintegration" by The Cure and Pinback CDs on repeat a lot in grade 8.Anything you'd like to add?
I want to mention that this new record is very special for me at this time in my life. I've been sitting on it since October but I am so happy to release this first song. The world is a dark place it seems lately, but I think there's a lot to be happy about too, I don't think we should let the greed ruin our love for brightness and positivity.Word. Thanks Michael!Photo by Jessica Segura.Follow Noisey on Twitter.
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Noisey: Hello! Tell us, what's the first thing you did when you woke up?
Michael: I woke up at 4:45am, had a cigarette and a tall glass of water. Afterwards I walked to work while listening to some Helvetia.Lit. Where did the name Molly Drag come from?
I've heard rumours about it being a reference to MDMA but it really isn't. I've also heard that it's similar to actor/singer Molly Drake aka Nick Drake's mother but it's not that either. It came out of word experimentation and just stuck I guess. I wish I could say there's something deep there but there isn't because I'm not that cool.Your album is called "Whatever Reason". What does that phrase mean to you?
It came out from a discussion with my best friend one night. Technically, he helped me come up with the title from that conversation alone a week or so before moving to Montreal in a small Ford Taurus from London, Ontario where I was living before. It was a long 9 hour drive and I moved here with barely anything aside from my iMac, microphone, guitar and clothes… What it means to me in reflection is sometimes you just have to take a risk and do something you've always wanted to but may have been fearful of before. Montreal was that to me. However, I am here now and I am definitely in a better mind-set, for "whatever reason".
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Friendship, freedom, and coffee.Nice. You played with Desaparecidos a couple of years back. Being a down-tempo in-touch-with-your-feelings songwriter I'm sure you get a lot of Bright Eyes comparisons like almost everyone else with a guitar. Is that annoying or do you take it as a compliment?
Definitely a compliment. I've been in adoration of Conor's work for many years and getting to not only play a show with his original band, but drink wine with him in a tiny green room for two hours was a dream come true. Probably the best night of my life in terms of musical achievements.How would you describe Molly Drag to someone who's never heard your music before?
It's music written and recorded by somebody that listened to "disintegration" by The Cure and Pinback CDs on repeat a lot in grade 8.Anything you'd like to add?
I want to mention that this new record is very special for me at this time in my life. I've been sitting on it since October but I am so happy to release this first song. The world is a dark place it seems lately, but I think there's a lot to be happy about too, I don't think we should let the greed ruin our love for brightness and positivity.Word. Thanks Michael!Photo by Jessica Segura.Follow Noisey on Twitter.