In 2022, Momma released ‘Household Name’ — an indie rock success infused with grunge and the alternative vibes that emerged during the peculiar post-COVID period. After supporting renowned indie bands like Weezer, Alex G, and The Marías, Momma has launched their fourth album, ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’. This captivating record will draw you in completely, with every word immersing you in the universe crafted by songwriters Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten.
The album's mood is established in the opening track ‘Sincerely’, a fuzzy, sound-focused piece, while the last lingering lines — “No return address / I love you to death / But I’m outside the door” — suggest themes of moving on. Between ‘Sincerely’ and the concluding track ‘My Old Street’, which explores the deceptive comfort of nostalgia, listeners will experience the poignant yearning in ‘Rodeo’ and ‘Bottle Blonde’, a more upbeat track that feels like mentorship to their younger selves.
‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ narrates a story akin to moments from a home movie road trip, addressing themes of heartbreak, infidelity, romance, and the ups and downs of being in your 20s. Momma continues to navigate their path, carrying along memories of people and places that have shaped their lives.
This summer, Momma will also participate in the festival circuit, including performances at Outbreak Festival in London and Manchester, as well as Primavera Sound in Barcelona and Porto. In addition to their album release, Momma is also embarking on a North American tour. Amid their busy schedule, Clash spoke with them about influences, nostalgia, touring, and more.
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Your album ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ has been available for over two weeks now. Congratulations on the release! How has the reception been?
It's been fantastic overall! It's amazing to see that every song on the album is being appreciated in some way.
In contrast to your previous album, ‘Household Name’, your sound has transitioned towards a more indie-pop style while retaining rock elements. Who influenced you during the creation of this record?
We believe that every great rock band writes excellent pop songs. Many bands that don't necessarily fit the pop genre still create "pop" songs: Nirvana, The Breeders, The Cure, and so on. It feels amusing to be labeled as “indie-pop,” as we also think “Household Name” has tracks that could be considered pop. During the making of this record, we listened to various artists, including Hovvdy, Alex G, and Khaki King.
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The music video for ‘Welcome to My Blue Sky’ is filled with nostalgic imagery — rusted highway signs, scenes of the open road, and glimpses of family life. What inspired this video, and how does it reflect the song?
We have taken annual trips to Yerington, NV since we were teenagers, and we felt that town embodies the essence of that song. Being in Yerington feels a lot like being on the road; it’s dreamy, sleepy, and lonely, yet still vibrant with community and support.
You’ve mentioned that this album marks a change in your personal lives, which is evident in the lyrics of songs like ‘My Old Street’. How does it feel to share such vulnerability with your listeners?
It definitely feels like we have been hiding behind storytelling and imagery throughout most of our discography, so being able to open up and get personal feels incredible.
The album features great storytelling. What was the process like for determining the tracklist?
When you listen to the album from start to finish, it tells its own narrative and is essentially chronological regarding how events unfolded. We were mindful of how the album flowed, and it turned out that the sequences that were best for the songs also created the most effective storytelling.
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The album cover is striking, resembling a cyanotype print, and the “Momma” charm is a nice detail. What was the inspiration for this artwork, and who created it?
We initially had a different concept that didn’t work out, but Allegra proposed using blue and doing something with hands. Etta came up with the pinky promise idea, symbolizing our bond, which was crucial in making this album. Aron’s sister, Daria Kobayashi-Ritch, took the photograph and processed it, while Etta handled all the graphic design.
You have toured with many talented artists — Alex G, Weezer, and The Marías. What have you learned from these artists that you’ve applied to Momma?
Hard work over time truly pays off, and being kind goes a long way.
With a busy tour ahead, which songs from ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ are you particularly eager to perform live?
We’re especially excited to play ‘How To Breathe’ and ‘New Friend’.
Which venues and cities are you looking forward to visiting?
Allegra has enjoyed the three shows
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In 2022, Momma released 'Household Name' – a successful indie rock album infused with grunge and the alternative sounds flourishing in the unusual post-COVID era.