INTERVIEW - Lake Malice: Understanding the evolving modern world
Merging genres and refusing to be placed in a box, LAKE MALICE celebrate the release of their debut album I Wanna Know If It’s Real. From supporting big names such as ENTER SHIKARI, SKINDRED and BLOODYWOOD to performing festivals such as Download, Slam Dunk and Rock For People, the Brighton based duo had been relentlessly growing their fanbase through their online presence and live shows. Whilst digesting their broad genre mix of metalcore, hyper pop and electronic sounds, LAKE MALICE dissect their growing queries on how real life and the digital landscapes are shaping the world around us.
The title of the album had marinated as LAKE MALICE understood the re-emerging question that dictates our everyday lives. Alice Guala explained that “The title makes sense with everything we’ve written about authenticity and what feels real. It encapsulates most of the topics we cover and the changes to daily life: friendships, relationships and technology. It really is about Real Life.” It was not their intention to write about the current predicaments of society. Blake Cornwall elaborated that "Looking at this collection of songs and what we’re trying to say, that’s when we realised that we were talking about authenticity. Can we trust the media, art and the people around us?”
Whilst indulging in the album, listeners approach two translation tracks that bind the sounds of the album: Ethereal and Crystallised. It is stated that “Crystallised utilises bits of all the tracks featured in the album but it feels like its own track. The more you get closer to the end of the track, the more you see the bigger picture.” Blake took inspiration from Billie Eilish’s debut album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?. The last track, goodbye, features different aspects from the album reworked into one song. Their excitement over these tracks are evident as the album gave them the opportunity to write a song that wasn’t labelled as a single.
Whilst Blake was growing up, he’d struggled listening to one dimensional albums which ultimately shaped LAKE MALICE’s view of an album. With an ultimate goal of having fun with the tracks and holding the band’s attention with what it’s doing sonically, 90's btch is awarded the "Can't Wait to Press Play" Award by the band. LAKE MALICE refuse to be put in a box as they mentioned “If you establish yourself as a metal band, they’d think this is not heavy. But for those that are open minded, this song has so much to communicate.” Incorporating sounds of the era, the nostalgic track conveys what it means to be a 90's btch. With a fun song ending on an emotional note, LAKE MALICE are insanely proud of the album as the chronological soundscape highlights the level of progression the band had endured.
Relationships and interactions manifest as a major theme throughout I Wanna Know If It’s Real. Main Character Energy (M.C.E.) is a disco pop song that embodies the rage when interacting with fake personas. Working with blast beats was a highlight from the formation of this track. Alice Guala describes that “it makes sense for some to build a universe around their brand but there are people that exaggerate on an egotistical level and it almost becomes method acting. You don’t have to be mean all the time even if that’s what you like to give off online. You can also be very down to earth. Everyone has that one person that you think “shut up, it’s not all about you”. Even though M.C.E. is refers to people within the music industry, fans can quickly relate this situation to their own lives.
Taking on larger stages, LAKE MALICE have incorporated backup dancers as a part of their theatrical production. There is a firm belief that “The live performance is a whole universe itself.” As an upcoming band, there are still large constraints such as stage sizing and budgets. Guala explained that she grew up with THE SPICE GIRLS: filled with choreography, distinctive personalities and individual personas that were relatable to the masses. “I love all the elements of live performances. If they were a bigger band, they’d love a production heavy show which is filled with lights and visuals.” LAKE MALICE are unapologetic about their dreams of a Tomorrowland style setup.
Yet real life is crushing for emerging artists; a reality ignored and normalised within the industry. Blake explained how “most musicians are constantly burnt out but it’s hard to balance until you reach net profits. It always feels like you're not doing enough.” Working class voices are being lost as they balance their passion with their mundane lives. In countries such as France and Ireland, artists are paid a living wage to prevent career precarity. This baseline financial security allows artists to focus on their creative work, a policy that LAKE MALICE would love to have implemented within the UK.
Being an emerging artist cementing themselves within the music industry, defying all genre categories, LAKE MALICE can be seen as inspirational. A duo that’s able to grow their dreams from a Facebook message to venues across the world. Some wisdom was passed on, for anyone looking to enter the music industry. Guala is passionate about sticking to your guts and understanding your dreams cannot be undermined. “With the topic of the album, being yourself is so hard right now because you think you need to adhere to some sort of algorithm and muting the noise around you. Be natural.” Cornwall promotes the curiosity to learn as much as possible. Their experiences have shown that “being in your own bubble can prevent you from the real parts of the industry. Try and get out of your comfort zones. People that have had the most success are really genuine, hardworking and easy to get on with” The moral of the story is don’t embody MCE.
With their debut album having dropped earlier this month, as well as a Europe tour and UK shows coming this week, LAKE MALICE love to see new faces at their headline shows. These headline shows help define the future of the band: landing bigger stages at festivals and set the tone for future tours. Rejecting the concept of genres, LAKE MALICE are an incredible band to dive into.
Words: Theviya Karunaharan
Photos: Lake Malice
With thanks to: Unholy Management and Lake Malice
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