Momma talk the power of friendship on new album 'Welcome To My Blue Sky' • Interview • DIY Magazine

Destiny? Coincidence? Pure luck? Whatever the reason, the UK is basking in glorious sunshine as Momma’s Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten join DIY’s call from their respective homes in Brooklyn, the title of fourth album ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ as resonant as it’s likely to get.

“We were on tour with Weezer, somewhere between Alabama and Texas, and we went to a gas station,” recalls Allegra. “I guess BlueSky is the name of a gas station chain, but there was a sign that said, ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky.’ Immediately, I texted Etta about it… later that day, we ended up writing the title track in our green room.”

Such eureka moments are littered throughout the record. If 2022’s ‘Household Name’, was proof the outfit have rockstar-in-waiting potential, its follow-up demonstrates a dynamism to seize the still-rising momentum behind the late-’90s alt-rock revival.

Momma’s sound carries a multi-generational appeal, embellished by some warm, fuzzy production (courtesy of bassist Aron Kobayashi Ritch) alongside Allegra and Etta’s delicate dual vocals. That’s why Death Cab For Cutie, Snail Mail and “major influence” Alex G have all recently recruited the quartet – completed by drummer Preston Fulks – as support. They’ve racked up a staggering eight tours since the release of ‘Household Name’ alone.

It’s unsurprising, then, that much of the record was written on the road. “My dad told me it was corny, writing a record about being on tour!” reveals Allegra – and the metaphorical eye roll imbued in her words is almost audible. “Being in a van and driving down highways – especially in the States, where there’s so much vast land around you all the time – it makes me feel really creative. I’m [normally] stuck in Brooklyn, staring at grey skies and tall buildings…”

“We’re like family, so we’ve learned what we really need from each other.”

— Etta Friedman

‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’, hits some soaring rock highs, particularly on the larger-than-life ‘Rodeo’ or the grungey ‘Last Kiss’ – which teeters towards Deftones territory in its bridge. Thematically, however, ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ does represent somewhat of a parallel time capsule for Etta and Allegra.

The pair have been friends since their teens; speaking to DIY in 2022, Allegra noted how their shared experiences had “become more solitary” with age. This time around though, the duo found the polar opposite to be happening – which not only gave them a new record, but opened another dimension to their friendship.

“On this record, we happened to be in the exact same place in our lives, going through the exact same things,” Allegra says. “It was really serendipitous… we both had the exact same romantic experiences, leaving long-term relationships and starting new ones. It was like, ‘What the fuck is happening? I’m so sad and happy’ – we were giving each other advice about it. We were each other’s main confidants during that [period] – there was no judgment between the two of us.”

“We’re like family, so we’ve learned what we really need from each other,” continues Etta. “Getting off tour, for example, I literally didn’t have anywhere to go, because I lived with my ex. Allegra was really helpful with that. It’s things like that, when you just show up for family. [This album] definitely drew us a lot closer. We have a natural sisterhood, so that’s just how it goes.”

To inject some further wholesomeness into the conversation, we task Allegra and Etta with naming the best musical trait about the other. Allegra gets straight to the point: “Your chord progressions are way more interesting than mine! You lean into that more doomy, emo aspect.”

Etta instantly returns the favour, with equal enthusiasm. “Allegra is a shredder. She has a bit more of a poppier affinity, so when we blend together, it works in a really cool way. On top of that, I aspire to not get as in my head when we’re playing live. Allegra, you’re good at the separation of what you do on guitar, and when you’re singing – how those can coexist.”

“You want to push yourself to rely on other tricks, and not the same old things that you know you’re good at.”

— Allegra Weingarten

While ‘Ohio All The Time’ locks elements of the album inside a time capsule, the grandiose ‘My Old Street’ and heartfelt cut ‘Bottle Blonde’ give it more of a reflective edge, the latter’s minimalist breakbeat soundtracking a simultaneous conversation with each other and their younger selves, offering an arm around the shoulder (“Bottle blonde, you’re a god / You’re gonna figure it out”). “It was the last song for the record,” explains Etta. “It provided the friendship aspect more than the romance, the chase, or the other themes on the record. It was time to talk about that part.”

Dynamics formed an important part of composition too, particularly after the overt alt-rock that characterised ‘Household Name’. “We were sick of every single song being [formulaic] – loud chorus, Big Muff [pedal], distorted guitars,” explains Allegra. Every song was initially written on acoustic guitars, some of which persist onto the final versions – including the record’s opening act, ‘Sincerely’. “You want to push yourself to rely on other tricks, and not the same old things that you know you’re good at,” she declares.

On ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’, Momma have done exactly that – producing an accomplished, free-flowing body of work. Their creative freedom is an ever-present force across the album.

“Blue is a very melancholy colour, but a blue sky has a happy connotation,” concludes Allegra. “To me, ‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ is the freedom of making your own choices, making mistakes, and how that affects your life – for good or bad. There’s happiness in knowing that at least they’re your choices, that you’re making for yourself.”

‘Welcome To My Blue Sky’ is out now via Lucky Number.

Momma play Outbreak London (13th June) as part of LIDO Festival where DIY is an official media partner. Tickets are on sale now. Visit diymag.com/festivals for more information.

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