IN CONVERSATION WITH MARY MIDDLEFIELD

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rising indie-rock force Mary Middlefield returned with deeply evocative new single ‘Will You Read My Mind’. Recently named one of Spotify’s 2025 Artists to Watch, Mary is currently putting the finishing touches on her sophomore album, a richly introspective body of work that explores identity, self-acceptance, and the spaces we create to feel at home within ourselves.

‘Will You Read My Mind’ feels like a delicate tug-of-war between connection and longing. What inspired this track emotionally and lyrically?

It came from a place of deep emotional paralysis, that feeling when you want someone to understand you without needing to explain yourself, but you’re also terrified of what they’ll see if they do. It’s about wanting intimacy, but also fearing exposure. The lyrics sort of unravel that push and pull.

There’s a quiet intensity to the song. How did you approach the production and vocal delivery to match that emotional atmosphere?

I co-wrote this track with Yvan Vindret, who’s a good friend of mine. He sent me an instrumental and I sort of destroyed it a little, moving parts around, re-recording, rethinking the chord progressions. I came up with the main riff in my bedroom, and not long after, the topline and vocal arrangement just fell into place.

We were three producers in the room, each bringing something different to the table. I wanted the track to feel dynamic, almost symphonic, to mirror that emotional push and pull in the lyrics. The interplay between stillness and chaos felt important. Because we were all working on different elements at once, the track ended up full of surprises and unexpected sonic moments. We kept most of them. They added this raw, unpredictable texture that felt really honest.

Nailing the vocal delivery was difficult, I’m not going to lie. The song sits in a register where I’m almost too comfortable belting, and that’s exactly what it didn’t need. But whispering didn’t feel right either. We wanted the vocals to feel honest and upfront, soft, but still full of emotion. I do think we got there in the end. But it took time.

What do you hope listeners take away from ‘Will You Read My Mind’?

I hope it gives people permission to sit with uncertainty, to feel something unresolved without rushing to fix it. There’s a strange kind of peace in that. Falling for someone is terrifying, but it’s also one of the most wholesome, vulnerable emotions we can feel. I wanted to honor that tension, the fear and the beauty of it co-existing.

You’re currently putting the finishing touches on your sophomore album. Can you give us a glimpse into the themes or soundscape you’re exploring?

Without giving too much away, I’ll say this: I’m leaning heavier and more dramatic, really diving into sounds I only brushed against in my previous work. I like being loud, expressive, and making people want to bang their heads a little.

I’ve also learned a lot from playing live over the past few years, and that definitely shaped this record. I wanted to create something that makes it easier for me to connect with a crowd, something that feels visceral, that hits.

Theme-wise, it’s a bit of a maze, but if I had to name one core thread, it’s the hunger for validation, the need to feel wanted, seen and chosen.

This next record seems deeply introspective. How has your creative process evolved since your debut?

With ‘Thank You Alexander’, everything felt really raw. I was figuring things out in real time, almost documenting my emotions as they came. ‘Poetry ‘for the Scorned and Lonely)’ was me stepping into my power a bit more, being bolder, sharper, and unapologetically dramatic.

Now, I feel like I’m writing from a place that’s less reactive and more reflective. I’m still driven by emotion, but I’m also asking harder questions, about myself, about what I want from others, about how far I’m willing to go to be understood. The process has become more layered. Less about getting things off my chest, and more about building a world people can lose themselves in.

Being named one of Spotify’s 2025 Artists to Watch is a major milestone. How did it feel to receive that kind of validation?

It was surreal, honestly. I still see myself as someone scribbling ideas alone in my bedroom, so having that kind of recognition felt both overwhelming and deeply encouraging. It made me feel seen in the quiet corners of what I do.

You’ve played iconic festivals like Glastonbury and Montreux Jazz Festival, and even the Paris 2024 Olympics. Which performance moment stands out most so far, and why?

Glastonbury was a huge one for me. It’s one of those stages you dream of playing, and actually stepping onto it felt completely unreal. The crowd was amazing, so responsive and full of energy. I remember just taking a second mid-set to soak it all in. It felt like everything I’d worked towards led to that moment. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more connected to what I was doing onstage.

Your music often touches on identity and self-acceptance. How has your relationship with those themes evolved through your writing?

I’m still learning, honestly. Not every day is a good day when it comes to feeling content with who I am. Writing about moments of self-hate and doubt made me realize just how harsh I can be toward myself, and even just noticing that changed a lot.

Am I in a place where I fully love and accept myself? No, definitely not. But I’m trying. And I think that effort, that intention, is part of the work.

What excites you most about the year ahead?

Honestly, everything feels exciting right now. There’s so much in the works, and I finally feel like things are lining up in a way that makes sense. If I had to pick one thing, though, I’d say building the momentum around the album. Watching it slowly come to life in other people’s ears, that’s what I’m most excited about.

If you could describe your next chapter in three words, what would they be?

Still not ready.

CREDITS:

photography HARVEY PEARSON