Diandra Interviews Mabes: Getting “Caught Up” In Love

In Caught Up, Mabes is cool, collected, retro, and glamorous; appearing like a 60’s pop dream singing to how love really does catch you in its web. You start thinking of this person, even dreaming of them, as if they were apart of you. Their words and actions matter to you and can even be defining or influential, and it is all because when they kiss you butterflies flap in your stomach. In our interview, we discuss how love sweeps her off her feet and makes her land in music.

Diandra: What is your favorite love story, and if you could write a song for a character in it, which would it be and why? 

Mabes: I feel that the strongest love is when nothing and no one can ever come in between. I’ve never felt this (I hope one day, don’t we all) but my song ‘Danny’ is about someone who sacrificed his life for his family and his country, as a soldier. I think this is the strongest and most testing bond.
 
Diandra: From “Stuck in the Rain” to “Slow Drowning,” you use the image of water to symbolize the highs and lows of a relationship or situation. If there was one thing you could have water wash away and heal from past, dark relationships what would it be? 

Mabes: This is hard to answer, but I think it would be my longing to hold onto the past when it’s been and gone. Dwelling on what’s happened before does no one any favors because we can’t go back and relive it…. but we still will always long to, so badly. 
 Mabes – Caught Up (Official Music Video)

Diandra: Your songs focus on hope and endurance. Describe a moment when you felt rewarded by your persistence. 

Mabes: I have had 2 amazing tour support slots happen in the last year or so, one being Billy Lockett and the other Ingrid Andress. To be able to open the stage for these 2 amazing artists was a dream come true. I can’t believe they picked me – what an honor. I traveled the country and played so many amazing venues! 
 
Diandra: Hope is a hard thing to keep. What are the things that make you hopeful?

Mabes: Honestly…. my music team keep me afloat when I’m losing focus. I’m grateful to have them supporting me. Plus my family is wonderful – my biggest fans! There are days I have to try so hard to block out my self doubt, but all the people above keep reminding me of the goal. 
 
Diandra: You have an affinity for 60s/70s style. What about the era speaks to your personality, and what are your favorite things from then? 

Mabes: I am obsessed with the glam that came with the 60s Hollywood era. Girls like, Dolly and Bobbie, paved the way for female country-inspired artists like me, and I’m forever grateful. Therefore my ‘Caught Up’ video is a homage. A nod to the first female pop stars there ever were – with their fabulous bouffant hair and striking glam make up. And their stage presence, they carried themselves with such aura and magic, which no one will have today. I wanted to try and recreate that fabulous Hollywood glam era! I’m obsessed! 
Mabes – Danny (Official Music Video)

Diandra: Have you been watching Netflix films in these quarantine time? Name your top Netflix recommendations with a sentence on why. 

Mabes: Bad Education because Jack Whitehall.
 
Diandra: You have described yourself as an old soul. What makes you an old soul. Cite at least 3 things. 

Mabes: My love for old nostalgic sounds. 
My outlook on human dynamics. 
My love for cigarettes. 
 
Diandra: If you were a Taylor Swift song, which would you be and why?

Mabes: Blimey….. BAD BLOOD ’cause it’s bad ass.

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory of family and music? 

Mabes: Parent trap, every song in it. 
Mabes – Keeping The Noise Down EP (Official Video)



Diandra: What do you think Keeping The Noise Down says about who you are today compared to your first single “Little Love?”

Mabes: I think it’s a “coming of age: kinda thing…. ‘Little Love’ is feeling helpless… KTND is the point just before I stopped giving a fuck. 
 
Diandra: Your new releases stray from what you’ve done with your debut and Keeping The Noise Down in that you’re telling stories as a character rather than yourself now – can you tell us about “Danny” and “Caught Up”?

Mabes: ’Danny’ was very much inspired by Laura Marling – I wrote it when I was 17 and I sooo wanted to be LM… she invented characters to tell stories and I had to try it. I invented a soldier, Danny, and lost him. 

‘Caught Up’ was different, very new, and inspired by a long distance relationship (a close person to me) and the apocalypse has stopped them seeing each other. Sometimes “a screen” is not the same and you need to be physically held by that person you love…. then all the bad things disappear. In ‘Caught Up’, I’m longing for that. 

Diandra: And what’s next?
 
Mabes: 2 Xmas tracks…. bring it on!

For More Information On Mabes Click Here.