Matilda Cole Discusses Her New Song, "Camden"

“Camden” is the first single off Matilda Cole’s upcoming EP and it is oh so special. The deeply personal track provides a detailed look into the artist’s past. It discusses her parents divorce. It’s a tricky topic, but one that a lot of people deal with, and an important song for her to write. Twenty Minutes Later got the chance to ask Matilda a few questions about her latest release. Read our interview below.

“Camden” IS THE FIRST SINGLE OFF YOUR SECOND EP. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO KICK OFF THE PROJECT WITH THIS SONG?

2020 was the year my life completely shook itself up. My parents got divorced, I left school, the pandemic happened, I turned 18 and launched my music career. “Camden” was written at a time when I was feeling sort of lost at sea with my new life, and that feeling is the baseline for this whole EP, so it made sense to start with “Camden.”

HOW IS THIS PROJECT DIFFERENT FROM YOUR PREVIOUS EP, ‘Milk Teeth?’

I grew a lot as an artist over quarantine, and wrote so much more than I ever had before- so this EP  reflects that. ‘Milk Teeth’ was me peering off the cliff of adulthood. This one is me jumping off, in a good way.

IN AN INSTAGRAM POST, YOU MENTION THAT “Camden” MIGHT BE YOUR FAVORITE SONG YOU’VE EVER WRITTEN. WHAT ABOUT IT MAKES IT SPECIAL FOR YOU?

It’s the most personal song I’ve ever written, and it was so cathartic to just write about why I was sad and angry at my parents. Divorce is such a common thing, but still so tricky so it felt really good to get this song out of me. Also, Bastian Langebaek is an amazing producer and I felt so comfortable in his studio that the production turned out amazing too.

THE SONG TALKS A LOT ABOUT WANTING TO GO BACK TO YOUR HOUSE IN CAMDEN. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY FROM THERE?

Yeah! My childhood home isn’t in Camden - it’s in Sussex. But the time we lived in Camden represents that feeling of childhood naivety that I really miss. My favorite times were always when I would pretend to be asleep in the car on the drive home at night, and my dad would carry me up to my room and tuck me into bed. I wish he could do that now, but I’m a bit big.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GO IN CAMDEN?

When I was a baby I loved Regent’s Park and the zoo there. Once I was older and we’d moved down to Brighton, I took my friends to Camden as our first solo London experience. I love the market, and nowadays I like walking down the smaller streets trying to find good vintage shops.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST GOT THE IDEA FOR THE SONG?

I was in Copenhagen, on my first ever writing trip. I had been so nervous, but me and the producer Bastian got along so well that over the week we managed to make two of my favorite songs I’ve written. That environment allowed me to get more vulnerable than I had been, and the song just kind of poured out of me before I knew what was happening.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO FINISH THE TRACK? DID YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS?

It took two days, one writing lyrics and melody and the next honing production and recording. I wanted it to be quite stripped, but with a big build, so we spent most of the day perfecting that, which was very rewarding by the end!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LYRIC?

I really like the whole bridge section. It felt like me getting out all the things I wanted to say to my parents but couldn’t yet. Actually, after writing it I felt a lot more able to articulate what I needed to say - and managed to say it.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT NOW THAT THE SONG IS OUT?

 I’m excited for the rest of the EP  to come out! I love these songs so much, so I can’t wait for people to hear them. Also LIVE SHOWS! Being a covid-born artist has meant I’ve had to hold off on that, but things are in the works now and I literally cannot wait!

YOU CAN LISTEN TO “Camden” BY Matilda Cole ON STREAMING SERVICES LIKE SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC. GO LISTEN AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW@twentyminuteslater TO STAY UPDATED ON FUTURE POSTS.