Melbs BB Astrology (Clothesline) Interview

Catchy Pastel Fantasy With A Dark, Edgy Underside

Dreamy singer-songwriter Melbs bb has announced her new single Astrology (clothesline), a catchy pastel fantasy with a dark, edgy underside, out now. The artist has also released a sharp, self-made video to accompany the song, lovingly poking fun at the stereotypes of the signs of the zodiac. To celebrate the release, Melbs bb will be playing an exclusive hometown launch show at the Workers Club in Melbourne on February 27.

Dream pop and inspired by indie icons Clairo and Beach House, Astrology (clothesline) will soak the listener in delicious guitar, synth, and Melbs bb's unique, deep and arresting vocal. The track sweeps up everything in its wake and envelops like a wave, prompting a feeling of deep comfort and movement in the listener; in other words, it might be the perfect soundtrack to that dark, warm drive home from a summer holiday – kinda melancholy, but acutely liberating, too. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Melbs bb, otherwise known as Erica Lilly, says, "I got really into astrology last year, and after digging into my chart, it just explained a lot – particularly about my love life. Stuff that I've talked about with my therapist was written in front of me on Co-Star. Anyway, I just felt really called out and needed to vent, so I wrote this song."

The video for Astrology (clothesline) is a comical and witty look into the traits of each astrological sign. Clever and incisive, with a sweet DIY charm, this video includes something for everyone, and each viewer is sure to feel uncomfortably 'seen' at some point throughout! Reflecting on the process of creating the video, Erica explains, "My friend Bax and I were brainstorming for the video, and she suggested a party where all the star signs were present. As soon as she said it, a million setups started flooding to my brain – like water signs crying in the corner for no reason. Virgos running around picking up cups – and so on. The jokes wrote themselves really. My friends Meaghan, Isaac, Liam and Sabrina shot and acted in the video and I directed, produced and edited it. It took two exhausting days to get everything shot, but I have background in comedy and film so glad I was able to do it myself."

Melbs bb will be launching Astrology (clothesline) at a very special show at the Workers Club in Melbourne on February 27. Giving her audience a taste of what to expect from a Melbs bb live show, Erica enthuses, "Fans can expect a non-stop set of bangers. My taste jumps around a bit and this definitely comes through in the songs I write – but I'm confident noone will be bored. Confused, maybe – but definitely not bored!"

Interview with Melbs BB

Question: Can you tell us about the track, Astrology (Clothesline)?

Melbs BB: It's a mid-tempo dream pop romp inspired by Clairo, Taylor Swift and Fall Out Boy. Very dreamy and laidback but also a bit of a bop.


Question: What inspired you to write Astrology (Clothesline)?

Melbs BB: I got really into Astrology last year and after digging into my chart, I realised a lot of my romantic woes were eerily similar to the ones predicted in my chart. It was pretty frustrating to be honest so I decided to write a song to kind of vent and put some kind of positive spin on it.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Melbs BB: I'm not the most emotional person in the world (my sun is in Pisces but everything else is air/earth) so I find writing music to be a really good outlet for all those feelings I'm not dealing with. Though I've been writing since I was little so I'm at a point where I can write when I feel inspired to but I also can just make myself write something if I have some free time. I like to give myself little projects like 'write a surf rock song' or 'write a song with this wacky drum beat' etc.

Question: What can we expect from the exclusive hometown launch show?

Melbs BB: You can expect a good time (laughs)! I like to keep gigs pretty casual and make everyone feel relaxed, like we're all just hanging with mates. I've managed to rope in a powerhouse all-girl lineup featuring electro-pop act Lacuna and emo-pop act Nite Fruit. It'll be a party for sure.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Melbs BB: I used to hate recording but I've grown to love it. I love the meticulous nature spending hours/days/weeks finessing something until its spectacular. Sharing it with friends is also a warm and fuzzy experience unlike anything else. Maybe when people have a baby and they share it with friends and family they get the same feeling. I don't have a baby so I cannot confirm this. Also obviously still love performing though.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Melbs BB: I came up with some interesting guitar chords (which I ended up having to Google) and made it one of my projects to write a song around these chords. They ended up going into a song called I want it too and it's really special and different to anything I've written before. It's the first song of my set so you won't have to wait too long to hear it!


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Melbs BB: Halsey (because I have unrealistic expectations) and apart from being an amazing musician, I just feel like she'd be really fun.


Question: What was it like filming the video for Astrology (Clothesline)?

Melbs BB: It was a riot. My friends Meg, Liam, Sabrina and Isaac agreed to be in it and we shot it at Meg's house so it was just us running around making fools of ourselves. It was really organic and my friends were very tolerant of me "directing" them all day.

Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Melbs BB: I've been listening to Halsey's Manic on repeat since it came out. At the gym, I've been running to the new Doja Cat track Boss Bitch (very good to run to) and the new BTS track Black Swan (recommend this one when you're lifting weights). Also still pretty obsessed with Got7's EP Call My Name.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Melbs BB: I've wanted to be a singer basically my whole life but seeing Elvis Costello when he played a three-hour solo show at The Palais was the catalyst for me. He was INCREDIBLE to a degree I can't really put into words but the thing I really took away was that he made everyone in the audience feel welcome. He was so chatty and relaxed between songs; it just felt like you were hanging with a friend. He's a huge inspiration for me in general but particularly when it comes to live shows.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Melbs BB: Tyler, The Creator; he's artistic but still makes music that very accessible. When he collabed with Rex Orange County, I died, I'm still dead to this day.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Melbs BB: Music is a varied and honestly, very boring business. When I'm not at my day job, I'm usually just at home practicing guitar or singing, replying to emails or messaging band members trying to organise a rehearsal. Otherwise I'm at the studio with my producer Sam arguing about how much reverb to put on a vocal part.


Question: Can you share your socials?
Melbs BB: https://www.melbsbb.com/
@melbsbb/
https://www.facebook.com/melbsbb
https://twitter.com/melbsbb
YouTube


Question: What's next, for you?

Melbs BB: I'll put out another single towards April/May and an EP not long after. It's all written and if you like quirky pop tunes and maybe a bit of grunge, you're gonna love it.


Interview by Brooke Hunter