Nashville Noise sat down and got to know talented singer-songwriter Mae Krell. Krell just released their debut EP, an incredibly vulnerable look at life as a teen.
Krell is an 18-year-old that’s already been writing songs for a couple of years. They’re open and honest about what it’s like to be a teen today, even if it’s difficult to discuss. Krell even admits, “I don’t want to be portrayed as too put together. I’m still working on myself. I’m constantly changing and growing and falling apart and coming back together.” In a nutshell, Krell is an honest and vulnerable young songwriter.
Krell’s debut EP, Anabasis, just dropped a couple of months ago and the lead single is a force to be reckoned with. Without any promotion, “Monsters” got over 230K Spotify streams. The single did cost Krell in the long run, though. After the release, they spent a year at a Utah rehab center battling addiction. Now, Krell is telling their story to Nashville Noise — and it’s one you want to hear.
Nashville Noise: You’re a young, but very talented singer-songwriter. When did you write your first song?
Mae Krell: Thank you! I wrote my first full song at 16. I had written snippets of songs before then — a verse here or a chorus there, but that was all. Once I wrote one song, though, it was almost like opening a can of worms — in a good way.
How has your inspiration and process changed over the years?
My songwriting has definitely aged with me. I used to only write about my own experiences and feelings from my own perspective and over time I’ve shifted to realize that I don’t necessarily have to experience something in order to make valuable noise about it. I obviously still write about my own struggles and experiences… However, I’ve also been focusing on using writing songs as a form of gaining more empathy towards people or situations that I’d lack or struggle with otherwise.
I love that you said you “don’t want to be portrayed as too put together.” Why is vulnerability in your music important to you?
I think that honesty and vulnerability are very hard to come by, especially in music. When I was a bit younger, I noticed that what I was going through wasn’t heard in the music I was listening to. I was frustrated that I didn’t have something I felt I could readily relate to when life was hard… I feel like there is nothing more valuable than hearing and empathizing and relating to another person. If I can be that person that someone listens to and thinks “Hey, I felt that,” I feel like I’ve done enough.
You just released your debut EP. How would you describe the EP’s sounds without using genres as boundaries?
Raw, honest, vulnerable, painful, but somehow rising from those ashes to begin healing. I feel like the EP is soft but powerful.
What did it feel like to finally get that out to the world?
It was such a relief, honestly. The singles had been out for what felt like forever so finally being able to release two more tracks that I’m so proud of and are so near and dear to my heart was absolutely exhilarating. It was scary at the same time, though… It was good though, it’s been good. I’m very happy that the full EP is finally released.
“Monsters” is a hell of a song. What was the inspiration behind that one in general?
The general tone of the track is to highlight the parts of one’s world that feel isolating and alone because no one else can access them — which is usually associated with mental health, at least in my own experiences. The lack of distinction between perception and reality, what we see and feel versus what is actually going on around us and in our lives. The child who thinks there is a monster in the closet and is so deathly terrified of that when in reality it’s just some shadows or a door that wasn’t closed quickly enough… “Monsters” aims to kind of show that the feelings that come with those fears are valid and real, regardless of if the fears are “realistic” or not.
With NO promotion, you were able to get that song to 200K streams on Spotify. That’s insane. What do you think it was about that track that resonated with so many people?
It honestly is so wild. It broke 250k a couple days ago and I’m still internally screaming of excitement. To be 100% honest with you… I’m not exactly sure. I definitely think the vulnerability in the lyrics and catchy chorus is a part of it, but I stand by the fact that I just got lucky. I am so grateful to everyone who has listened and listens to my songs and I just try to focus on that, instead of the numbers.
Lastly, what are some of the goals you have for your music this year and beyond?
I want to get this EP to as many people as I possibly can! I’m touring this summer for almost two months… I want to release a second EP — hopefully — soon as well! In terms of long-term- I just want to play live and write and release more songs! My ultimate goal is to be able to constantly create and share that.
Stay tuned for more music from Krell and download their EP below.
