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Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine

Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine

      Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman reveal their true selves on their fourth album, ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ – a bold, authentic, and unapologetic indie rock accomplishment.

      Listen: ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ – Momma

      “I hope listeners develop a different kind of love for these songs compared to ‘Household Name.’ I want them to become anthems for everyone,”

      Momma have shown all their cards.

      Their latest album, released on April 4th, 2025 through Polyvinyl Records, addresses themes from infidelity to drinking and nostalgia for an unreturnable childhood. Although it chronicles their missteps over the summer, neither of these indie stars feel ashamed to share what they’ve experienced. “It was everything we were thinking about,” Weingarten shared during an interview a few days prior to the album’s launch.

      ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ – Momma

      Having years of experience crafting sharp, witty rock songs centered around their unapologetic nature and their flaws, the summer of 2022 marked a profound transformation for them. Emerging from a chaotic tour, they returned home as entirely different people, feeling defeated.

      Etta Friedman reflected, “I think I experienced the biggest transition of my life since starting college. It’s comparable to turning eighteen and realizing you’re now independent, only to find yourself constantly changing until you become twenty-one. That summer turned everything upside down.”

      Weingarten continued, “I’ve written about heartbreak, sadness, and longing, but after that summer, my understanding of myself has become much more nuanced. I’ve realized I can hurt people, which is tough to acknowledge, yet I don’t believe I’m a bad person.”

      Friedman added, “Exactly. Allegra and I often questioned each other, ‘Do we suck?’ and realized that we might not be who we thought we were, capable of hurting others. I used to think I was just a victim, but recognizing that I could also inflict pain was crucial.”

      With ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’, there’s nothing hidden.

      Weingarten and Friedman anticipate questions about their experiences. The album is so intertwined with their stories that evasion is not an option. “I’m eager to hear feedback from listeners, especially from those who directly relate to certain songs without realizing it,” Friedman expressed with a knowing smile. “I hope people understand that messing up and making mistakes is completely acceptable; sometimes you need to go through it to come out stronger.”

      Weingarten agreed, “I feel this is the first time our music allows listeners to genuinely connect with who we are as individuals. It’s a highly personal endeavor; the more personal the music, the more people resonate with it. I hope fans find a new kind of love for these songs that goes beyond what they felt for ‘Household Name.’ I envision them as anthems.”

      And indeed, they are anthemic. ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ captivates listeners as it reveals the true events of that summer, balancing those experiences between intimate and relatable. Beginning with “Sincerely,” the album sets the stage for the story they’re eager to share. Soft melodies float over gentle guitar and piano, expressing the yearning to wish away the summer’s events. When they sing, “No return address – I love you to death, but I’m outside the door,” the music fades, paving the way for what follows.

      In “I Want You (Fever),” synths rise, offering insight into the chaos the band is escaping. The song depicts turbulent breakups, new romances, and rampant gossip, with the repeated line, “Pick up and leave her, I want you, fever,” capturing the excitement of an affair, despite the ethical quandary inherent in the song. Momma draws the listener into this seductive narrative effortlessly.

      A key part of this allure is the shift in the song structure from their previous alt-rock style found on ‘Household Name,’ echoing influences from ’90s bands. That album fully leaned into comparisons to acts like Veruca Salt and Smashing Pumpkins. While Momma excel in that subgenre, those who think of them solely as a grunge band are missing the broader sonic palette they offer. Their music has always maintained a polished quality, infused with nostalgia and enjoyment, making this change feel natural.

      “Stay All Summer” is a prime illustration of this evolution. Weingarten and Friedman exchange lyrics with a hopeful, flirty tone: “I would stall and stay all summer, babe, if you want me to.” The absence of heavy guitars and thumping drums is replaced with subtle chords, presenting leaving a partner for someone new as a difficult yet necessary choice.

      Reflecting on their approach to the last record, Weingarten admitted, “We learned that sometimes less is more. I love playing guitar and crafting lead parts

Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine

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Interview: Momma Talks About Their Candid and Unapologetic Fourth Album 'Welcome to My Blue Sky' - Atwood Magazine

Momma’s Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman reveal everything and transition into a new phase of life with their fourth album, ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ – a candid, genuine, and completely unrepentant achievement in indie rock.