Getting To Know: Maluridé

Maluridé's debut album incorporates a blend of alternative, soft-electronic, and ballad-like genres, with Nordic influences. Can you share more about the creative process behind merging these diverse musical elements into a cohesive sound?

Even though we use a lot of different sounds, all the tracks in our album draw from the same inspiration, which is basically our way of processing life. I think this is the baseline in our music which doesn't let the songs fall apart, gives them a balancing frame. We're careful not to go overboard with the electronic vibes, making space for that natural feel, like creating in acapella parts, real piano, cello, and violin sections. After sorting out the instrumental parts, we just know if it's too much or doesn't vibe with our style, but sticking to our sound comes pretty naturally.

As graduates of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, how does your classical music background unintentionally influence the structure and composition of your songs on the album? In what ways does this classical training manifest in your approach to creating contemporary music?

When I started my songwriting journey, I was doing my studies at Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. I'd be glued to the piano for hours, trying to come up with songs that ticked all the boxes of classical music perfection. But after a while, I realized I had to ease up on the pressure of making everything textbook-perfect to let my creativity run wild. Even now, while creating music, we obsess over the tiniest details—thanks to our shared classical background and the same mindset. It's funny, sometimes, we unknowingly stumble upon classical music, like accidentally throwing in a baroque sequence, or can't stop recording more and more background vocals.

Having completed a summer filled withconcerts, can you share some standout moments or lessons learned from performing in diverse venues, ranging from intimate settings with a few attendees to larger crowds? How does each concert contribute to your growth as a band?

During this past summer, we attended nine different festivals, it was both exhilarating and challenging. The first few concerts were mostly about us figuring out the soundcheck process, how we should use our musical tools in the best way possible, and also, how to communicate with the audience, even if there are 50, or in other cases 500 people.We had to figure out the delicate balance between too much and just enough. By the summer's end, I think somehow we arrived. We could finally deliver our songs to the audience without stressing over technical hiccups. For me, the ultimate satisfaction is when someone approaches after a show, expressing how our music brought them peace or momentarily washed away their everyday worries. One standout memory was performing at the Fekete Zaj Festival, literally in the middle of the woods among warm and receptive people. And then there was the Strand Festival -playing on a considerably large stage with top-quality sound systems and an incredibly professional crew - it is one of our most cherished experiences.

In the pursuit of reaching a wider audience, how do you navigate the challenge of being a non-mainstream band? Are there specific strategies or approaches you employ to connect with listeners without conforming to mainstream expectations?

I have to say that I enjoy lots of different music styles, even rap and hard rock music, there are tons of amazing musicians in every genre. I think people care more about honesty and real feelings in songs than just the type of music. When we write songs that truly come from our hearts, even those who usually listen to mainstream or pop music might find something they connect with. On the other hand, if you create something more like an alternative, non-mainstream music, you will probably face difficulties at first to find a platform, a radio channel, or even sponsors who will help you to release your music at the beginning. It's tough, and it will not happen in a week to get some kind of recognition. The biggest challenge isn't whether people will like the music but getting noticed in the first place, especially if you're not part of the mainstream music scene.

Your music is described as having abittersweet, soft tone with introspective lyrics. How do you approach the songwriting process to capture and convey these emotional nuances?

Are there specific themes or experiences that inspire your songwriting? I write both the lyrics and melody, then share it with Zazie and Milan, who add their musical touches, vocals, new ideas, extra bridges, even changing the structure of the song, and then with Milan finalizing the song. I tend to hold a bittersweet perspective on life itself. Time's passage fascinates me—the way it shapes us, our connections, most of the songs are coming from the bottom of these thoughts.

Whenever something inspires me, I record it, or write it down immediately, whether it's a snippet of a melody or a few lines of lyrics. Sometimes, when things go really annoying, or frustrating, I reach a point where laughter becomes the only way to cope. This mindset led me to create songs like "Cry" or "Twice," intending to remind everyone that laughing at ourselves during tough times can be...really effective.

Your first music video, released in May,complements the characteristic tone of your music. How do you see visual elements contributing to the overall storytelling of your songs? How do you choose the visual elements that accompany your music?

Our ultimate dream would be having our music featured as a theme song in a movie. I think our music is really compatible with visual storytelling, in fact, whenever we are together, writing music, we imagine diverse visual effects for each track and even craft narratives that could accompany them in a cinematic moment. Recently, in May, we had the opportunity to film a music video titled "Shadows" with an exceptional team, directed by Benedek Vida, who genuinely captured the hidden meanings behind the song.

The band expresses a desire to incorporate thoughts in your songs that touch on societal changes. Could you elaborate on the themes or messages in your music that go beyond individual experiences? How do you approach addressing broader societal issues through your music?

It's often argued that art should stay clear of political or societal opinions. However, I believe that there are situations where silence isn't an option, especially when we can get an impression that a leadership manipulates an entire nation's mindset. It's intriguing how shared hatred can bond people, much like kids forming friendships over laughing at someone. In my experience, our nation has often fostered unity through a collective sense of hatred toward others. Under the same sky' is one of the songs of the album, but also the title of the album, and it was inspired by this recognition.What troubles me deeply is how political entities exploit this human tendency, fostering hatred to build their own agendas. We end up as unwitting puppets, rallying behind these leaders without realizing the distance we've strayed from leading genuinely fulfilling lives. It would be - in my opinion - a pity if as musicians we couldn't put our thoughts into our art, if this opinion comes from a good heart, and not hatred.