Maili Clarke is an independent Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter. Maili loves to deep dive into feminist topics and pour her heart out in her songwriting. Maili is inspired by the Australian indie music scene and international acts such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams.
Brooke Gibbs caught up with Maili following her Darwin Festival performance to talk about her recent single, ‘The Feeling’, and some new music on the radar.
Futuremag: You’ve had a pretty exciting year, including your recent performance at Darwin Festival. How was it?
Maili: It was so good. It was so much fun, just being in that atmosphere. It’s very family-friendly and I just love Darwin Festival. I’ve gone pretty much every year. The lights were beautiful, everyone was really lovely, and I had really good feedback, so it was nice.
Futuremag: I saw people dancing, including some very enthusiastic arm waves! Was that the reaction you were hoping for?
Maili: That was my family, but that’s so fine — they count! There were little children and babies dancing around as well, which I just find the cutest thing ever. I actually gave a few of them some little merch shirts that I made. I just made baby merch. I don’t know why, but it was for the babies that danced!
Futuremag: Darwin Festival is interesting because you’re performing to people who might not necessarily have come specifically to see you. Is it harder to connect with an audience like that?
Maili: It can be tricky. I’m a very feminist artist as well, and I understand I wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. The way I write my lyrics is pretty confessional and pretty straight to the point. My music can be quite angry — quite female rage packaged into indie pop.
But it was really lovely having random people come up and say, “Oh, that was really nice to have dinner to.” I was like, “Oh, really?” It was so nice to see random people enjoying it and dancing as well.
Futuremag: You also performed your new single, The Feeling. What inspired that song?
Maili: The Feeling is so funny because it’s actually a love song — the most love song I’ve written. Most of my songs are kind of break-ups or more feminist leaning, whereas this one was very much a love song. I’m definitely not going to tell you who it’s about!
It was really nice to write something a bit more light-hearted. I found it really resonated with the series Off Campus. I felt like it connected so well with some of the stories of the characters that I ended up pitching it to Off Campus. So I’m hoping they might want to use it.
Futuremag: Off Campus has helped put a lot of Australian artists in front of new audiences. What would it mean to have The Feeling featured on the show?
Maili: It would be a dream. G Flip getting 10 million streams on their song was amazing. That would be a dream for me because, as you would probably know, musicians don’t make a lot of money.
We rely on a lot of different things like promotion and streams. You have to get a lot of streams to make money, so that would be life-changing for me for sure.
Futuremag: You’ve also been pretty open about the realities of making money as an independent musician. What are some of the best ways people can support artists like you?
Maili: I feel like it’s really important. I have a few friends who are so lovely — they’ll repost my posts or share my TikToks, and those things help so much.
I feel like the biggest way to get streams and exposure is social media. If you’re reposting my TikToks and doing all that, it helps so much because it’s just getting that reach out there.
Futuremag: You’ve got new music and a music video on the way. What can you tell us about what’s coming next?
Maili: My next single is Dream Girl, and I’ve got a music video that I’m filming for that in October. It’s going to have very haunting vibes. I’m excited because it’s going to be a bit different.
I’ve got a crew on board for it, and I’m hoping to release it by the end of the year. That’s the goal.
Futuremag: You’re also an artist from Darwin. Do you think the rest of Australia sometimes sleeps on the talent coming out of the Northern Territory?
Maili: We have some really good musicians here. Because Darwin is so remote and different from other places, you probably don’t get the same opportunities that you would get down south.
But I really loved growing up in Darwin. Obviously, I had a privileged upbringing and I know that’s not everyone’s experience, but I find you just grow up with so much community. It helps enrich your perspective and your empathy.
So I actually think, if anything, it helped improve my songwriting and my singing. Everything helped shape me as a really emotional, empathetic person growing up in Darwin, compared to perhaps growing up in a city where you don’t see a lot of the challenges that people face in communities.
Futuremag: Do you think there’s a different sense of community within Darwin’s music scene?
Maili: Literally! I love coming back here to do gigs. I fly back every few months to do some gigs because I find everyone so supportive. You just meet so many lovely people.
I haven’t really been able to break into the scene on the Sunshine Coast yet, but I haven’t tried, to be fair. I just really love performing up here.
Futuremag: Are there any other Darwin artists you’d like to give a shout-out to?
Maili: Gracia is opening for me on Sunday at Air Raid Records. She’s so sweet. She kind of sings a similar indie-pop vibe. She’s up-and-coming and really, really sweet, so I would say Gracia.
A lot of the musicians that I know from Darwin have since relocated, so it’s a bit tricky, but it would be really good to check her out this Sunday at Air Raid.
Futuremag: And what can people expect from your upcoming gig?
Maili: It’s going to be a little bit of a shorter set than Darwin Festival, but I think it’ll be a very intimate setting.
I feel a bit more confident now that I’ve done Darwin Festival and gotten the jitters out, so there could be a little bit of dancing and a little bit of karaoke-style stuff. I’m going to get you guys involved, so I think it’ll be really fun.
Futuremag: What’s the main thing you hope people take away from your songs?
Maili: Leave your boyfriend! No, I’m just so funny with that.
My songs are really — I do kind of get that feminine rage in there. I get a lot of feedback like, “Oh my God, I’ve been through this,” which is very sad, obviously.
But I want women to feel free to think about these things and not accept bad behaviour from men. That’s kind of what I hope.
And on the other side, people can just listen and like the melody and vibe along. That’s also okay. I get that not everyone is a lyrics person. For people to just sing along, I think that’s good too.
Futuremag: Were there any artists or songs that soundtracked big decisions or moments in your life growing up?
Maili: I’m a big Swifty, so Taylor Swift, absolutely. I love her so much.
Olivia Rodrigo is fantastic — her new album is so good. Gracie Abrams as well. They’re the magic trio, honestly.
But also the Australian indie music scene. I love Pacific Avenue, Spacey Jane, Teenage Jones — Australian music is so good. I honestly think we’re so underrated. No one values us, but we’re so good.
Futuremag: Finally, how can people keep supporting you and stay up to date with what’s coming?
Maili: Following me on socials and following my updates will definitely help a lot.
Eventually, if I were to get big enough, I’d love to go on tour because those things are quite expensive. At the moment I’m just focusing on recording, and I’ve got heaps more music coming, so stay tuned!