Rita Mae on her EP ‘Superfeeling’

Rising indie artist and producer, Rita Mae unveils her debut EP, “Superfeeling” - delivering a blend of genres combined with alternative pop production, that will have you feeling everything all at once. With her emotive delivery, she effortlessly brings her heartfelt lyrics to life with her mesmerising tracks, and continues to make waves both in Aotearoa and beyond.

Hey Rita! Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us about your new music! First of all, we'd love to know about your musical journey from when you first started singing and making your own music?

I have been singing and writing for as long as I can remember! I think I wrote my first song when I was like 6ish years old - it’s called ‘Up In The Sky With The Fairies”. My Dad recorded it for me and it’s on a CD somewhere.

Love that! And congrats on your new EP 'Superfeeling'! How did you land on the name of the EP and what are the central themes you delve into lyrically? 

To me, the EP is basically encapsulating this roller coaster of emotion I feel like I’ve been going through over the past few years. One day feeling everything an almost unbearable amount, then running away from those feelings, and then feeling almost nothing at all. It’s all felt so huge, all the time, and sometimes it’s amazing and sometimes it’s just exhausting. Superfeeling feels like it sums up that experience.

What were your main artistic influences for the songs on this EP?

So hard to narrow it down! My consistent influences would have to be Taylor Swift, Radiohead, Lana Del Rey, Porches… but so many other artists are inspiring me constantly.

'Superfeeling' is one of our favourite songs of yours! Can you tell us about the concept behind this track?

Thank you!! It’s one of my favourites too. This song is just about being stuck in a loop of chasing a beautiful version of life that doesn’t really exist and running from reality. Just this restlessness I felt, the need to feel more and more even if the feeling wasn’t necessarily good or healthy.

Another stunning song of yours is 'Sunny Afternoon'! How did this song and collaboration come about with local legend skinnyandsoft?

Thank you! I wrote and produced the majority of this song by myself during lockdown, when I was feeling really isolated and bitter. The weather was beautiful but I felt so lonely, which I think shows in the song. I was collaborating a lot with my friends Lou (skinnyandsoft) and Tom (rede), and when I showed it to them they loved it and helped finish the track, Lou writing and singing the second verse and Tom adding production.

Don't think we forgot about the magical "Night Drive"! Can you tell us the story behind the making of this track?

Night Drive!!! I love this song so much. Tom (rede) and I made the song from scratch together, and it just felt so electric from the second we started writing it. It’s about those intoxicating unhealthy relationships, that are so addictive even though they make you feel so bad. The energy of the song, lyrically and the production, just so perfectly captured how I was feeling at the time. High on a crush, but also kind of sick and hating myself for being so hooked on it. Lol.

What were some of your highlights and core memories made throughout the journey of making this EP?

Creating this EP definitely helped me through a lot of tough emotions, as is probably reflected in the songs. But one of my favourite things about it is the musical journey it’s taken me on. I went from writing and recording completely alone to collaborating with people I now call some of my best friends during the process of making it. It’s so special to me because of that.

Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you especially love?

I ADORE Molly Payton, she is definitely one of my biggest songwriting inspirations (NZ and beyond). Basically every song she’s made I love. She writes like she’s already lived 50 lives.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far, and what advice do you have for other artists out there?

There is no wasted effort!! Kinda cringey and cliché, but so true. I used to feel so depressed if I played a bad show, or wrote a song I didn’t like, or attempted to write songs and came out with nothing etc. But it’s all so worth it. Every bad creative experience contributes to the amazing stuff you will make - trying is never a mistake.

Some amazing advice! Lastly, if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?

Just try to be kind. To yourself, to others. It never hurts.

Thanks so much Rita! Make sure you keep up with her on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Apple Music.