Q&A: Producer Mac Wetha Makes His Debut With First Personal Project 'Make It Thru'

 

☆ BY LISA WATTS ☆

 
 

WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE - Mac Wetha’s latest EP Make It Thru showcases the rising artist’s ability to effortlessly bring in a plethora of sounds. With the five songs “REM”, “Sidekik”, “Brace”, “Wayside” and “Headache”, the project gives a diverse music experience in a short amount of time. Whether blasting these songs in your car at dusk with the windows down, or having them on in the background when you are having a picnic with your friends, you will instantly fall in love with Wetha’s unique style of songwriting, producing and singing. 

Previous single “Wayside” is paired with a beautiful video directed by the Reids, who have worked with artists like Slowthai, A Cold Wall and Commes Des Garçons. The cinematic video is chill, calm and aesthetically pleasing to watch, while the song itself provides the same outcome.

Known as the resident produce of Nine8 Collective, Wetha has built his foundation producing for Biig Piig, Lava LaRue and even Aminé. Make It Thru serves as the producer’s debut solo project and as an opportunity to get familiar with Wetha’s personal taste and sound. 

With the release of Make It Thru and a handful of dates on Beabadoobee’s upcoming tour, Wetha is sure to stay busy the upcoming months. Read below to learn more about the project, the visual side of his work and more. 

LUNA: Congrats on the release of Make It Thru! How are you feeling about this release and the reception it’s gotten so far? 

WETHA: Thank you! I’m feeling great about the release, reception has been amazing. The main thing for me though was for this project to be something which sonically shows the range of music I wanna be making, I’m really proud of it so regardless of the reception I’m a very happy duck.

LUNA: Which track from the EP showcases your sound the best? 

WETHA: I honestly couldn’t say; the whole point of the project was to showcase all of my current influences, ideas and feelings. Each song brings its own element to the table. Also who knows what I’m gonna make in the future, I don’t wanna pigeonhole myself!

LUNA: Can you share a favorite moment or memory from the making of the track? 

WETHA: A lot of it was made during a real uncertain time, so some of the songs were more of a cathartic thing… The last song on the project though, ‘Headache’ I made with Jim Reed at MAP Cafe, my favourite place in London, so all the time I spent there was good fun.

LUNA: This past year has allowed for a lot of reflection and introspection for many. How have you seen that translated to the lyrics or feel of your music, if at all? 

WETHA: It has translated to the music in a very big way. This past year of isolation and introspection is part of the reason why the project is called ‘Make It Thru’, and like I mentioned in the previous question, the songs were very cathartic for me. When I was writing, lyrics would come fairly easily because I, like all of us, was hyper introspective and kinda nervous at the time so I felt a lot of relief in putting my feelings on paper and having something to focus on, having a drive. 

LUNA: The video for “Wayside” has a really laid back and pretty feel to it, and matches the track perfectly. What was it like working with The Reids and making the video?

WETHA: The Reids are the best, and the video was so fun to make. Honestly I generally don’t like doing music videos, but this just felt like a really good summer’s day with the broskis, and the Reids just captured it and worked their magic. More to come from us very soon ;)

LUNA: What do you like about tying the visual side of your work into your music? 

WETHA: I love hearing people’s ideas of what the videos should be, it’s interesting to learn how people interpret the music. I like handing control of the visuals over to people who have a vision and understand the music and are passionate in their visual world, because honestly although I definitely know what I like and don’t like for my visuals, I find it hard to come up with ideas and concepts; it’s just not my domain. I also need to work with people I trust, which is why I tend to work with my friends, my girlfriend Daniela handles nearly all of my photo and design stuff and working extensively with my sweet Reids has been awesome, so I love seeing how everyone’s respective drives and passions can work with my music.

LUNA: You’ve had the pleasure of producing and working with some incredible artists from Lava La Rue to Amine, yet your solo music has a much different flavor to it. What are some of the main differences you approach your music compared to when working with others?

WETHA: Good question, but to be honest hard for me to answer because I’m not exactly sure, although you’re right in that there definitely is a difference. I suppose with my solo stuff I’m usually working alone which would naturally change the sound and when I’m collaborating I try and be as open minded and collaborative as possible, and I want to work with the artist to help them make what they wanna make. 

LUNA: As a member of Nine8 Collective collaboration has always been rooted in your nature. Why is working with other diverse artists and sounds so important to you? 

WETHA: It keeps you fresh! Two heads are often better then one and you can learn so much from everyone’s process. It’s very easy to put yourself in a box and working with others rips you out of it, you’ve just gotta be open minded and willing. Also having someone to bounce ideas off of, like Jim Reed for example who I mentioned earlier who worked on Headache and Wayside with me, is hugely important and more importantly makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

LUNA: Who’s the most underrated artist you’ve been listening to lately? 

WETHA: Wooooo so many, to name a few - everyone in NiNE8, Pardoner, Dora Jar, Gulch, Louis Culture and all the E/M dudes rule, Goonew, Duwap Kaine, Sorry, Shrink…

LUNA: With this EP out and a fall tour with Beabadoobee booked, what intentions do you have for the upcoming months?

WETHA: Get the live show sorted, play as many shows as possible, have fun and keep writing! Thank you!

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