"易ὴ 我們的旋律無定鍵，因为我們不知道什麼東西在什麼鍵中。大多數吉タ拉手 musicians wouldn't confess to that": From Billy Corgan to Big Thief, the story of how Momma became one of alt-rock's most captivating bands.
In the realm of contemporary music, the band Momma is making waves with their fourth album, Welcome to My Blue Sky. This release, now available via Polyvinyl, showcases a unique blend of grunge, dream pop, and indie, blurring the lines between these genres and offering a fresh sound to listeners.
At the heart of Momma's music are the six-string talents of Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten. Both musicians are versatile, switching effortlessly between rhythm and lead, depending on what is required for the song.
Friedman, who counts Joan Jett and Kim Deal among her guitarist influences, prefers the Jagstang, Les Paul Junior, and a humbucker Telecaster live, complemented by Tube Screamer, Big Muff, Z.Vex Box of Rock overdrive, and Z.Vex Super Hard On boost pedals. Weingarten, on the other hand, finds inspiration in Rob Crow and the Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, and her live setup includes a Fender Deluxe Reverb, Gibson SG, Electro-Harmonix Op Amp Big Muff, Pro Co Rat, and EarthQuaker Devices pedals.
The production of Welcome to My Blue Sky is noteworthy for an unusual arrangement. Aron, the band's producer, is also a member of Momma. This setup made the recording process easier and allowed for creative experimentation, such as adding unique production noises or drum sounds that initially seemed unusual but ultimately improved the songs from a guitarist's perspective.
One such example is the sound for "I Want You (Fever)", which was created using a Meris Ottobit pedal, a device that creates a reverse delay and tremolo effect.
The band's unconventional riffs can be attributed to the fact that they don't know what key anything is in, according to Allegra Weingarten. The band enjoys using ninth chords, a technique Etta Friedman picked up from learning Alex G songs.
Momma's music takes mellow influences and runs them through the filter of what the Smashing Pumpkins sound like live. This approach, combined with their experimental production techniques, results in a sound that is both familiar and fresh, resonating with listeners who appreciate the grunge era's raw energy and the dream pop genre's ethereal qualities.
The album, Welcome to My Blue Sky, is more autobiographical and focuses on the band members' emotions and identities, making it a deeply personal and relatable listen for many.
As for the early influences that got Friedman and Weingarten hooked on guitar, those details remain a mystery. However, it's clear that these two musicians have forged a dynamic and creative partnership, enjoying their freedom and fluidity as they continue to push the boundaries of music.
