Words by Sam Elliott.

Western Australian producer and multi-instrumentalist Jake Webb, aka Methyl Ethel, is back with the ebullient new single, Talk Louder, which Futuremag Music recently reviewed. Futuremag Music’s Sam Elliott caught up with Jake Webb of Methyl Ethel following their recent Splendour in the Grass performance to chat all things music, touring, and more!

FMM: Welcome back to the festival circuit! How has the process been for you coming back to performing and seeing people again?

Jake: It’s been incredibly refreshing! The whole thing seems to have this new light shone upon it. I really love re-imagining my songs with the band and then sharing it all with an audience.

FMM: Since you have been able to tour again, you haven’t seemed to stop! How has this process been mentally? Is it strange getting back to a somewhat normal?

Jake: It’s not particularly mentally exhausting. We’ve never really toured at such length that it takes a toll in that way. The only real challenge is the ever present threat of sickness derailing or forcing us to cancel shows. Luckily we’ve been able to avoid such situations so far. I haven’t even caught COVID yet!

FMM: You’ve very recently released your album Are You Haunted?, which is simply brilliant. Can you tell me a little about the process of creating this one?

Jake: I just went to work on it in my studio space six days a week from 9-6, on and off for about two years. I’d work furiously on something then take some space from it. In hindsight, this really helped me to stop and not overwork things but also allowed me the time to really get into the weeds with all of it. Conceptually, with the title Are You Haunted? is really where it all began and it just flowed from then on.

FMM: How do you find balance between what you want in your artistry and what other people expect of you?

Jake: I don’t think about any kind of expectation really. My aim is to squeeze all of my interests, ideas, tastes etc. into something that is palatable for the greatest amount of people.

FMM: I really like how your Are You Haunted? album was for a great person in your life. Do you often draw from things in your life when writing? Or was this album different?

Jake: I’m more influenced directly by space, in this case too. I spend a lot of time before I start writing music in a state of absorption. I sponge as much information as possible for a long time. I read a tonne of books before writing this latest album. Then I shut everything out and just write and work.

FMM: How has songwriting helped you deal and live with your emotions?

Jake: For me, the emotion comes out in the performance. I try to catch emotion within the song. This helps me manipulate the listener into feeling what I felt in a song's genesis. If I am transported to that same space when listening back, my job has been successful. This element, I believe, is the ghost that lives with a work that is the more metaphysical, inexplicable element.

FMM: What was the thought process in bringing Stella Donnelly into Proof? I know she was in the band a few years ago!

Jake: When it comes to finding a voice that is synonymous with the idea of truth-telling, there’s no-one more suitable than Stella. She’s a great talent, so magnetic and brought so much to the song. I really hope to work with her again, she has so much to offer.

FMM: Tell me a little more about your process for writing Talk Louder. You discuss that the process was a bit of a stream of consciousness exercise. Do you embark on this sort of thing often when writing?

Jake: I wrote five or six songs to be performed at a show I played at the 2021 Fremantle Biennale. The stage was built on an old jetty right at the mouth of the Derbarl Yerrigan/Swan River in a mock up township/art installation. I wanted to make music that would sort of bounce, ebb and flow. I wanted to just flow while making and performing the songs so that was the energy that informed the writing of the song.

FMM: I love that you are often the pioneer for artists, helping others and offering guidance. Why is this so important for you to do?

Jake: It’s nice to think that I’m able to help others. So many have been so giving to me over the years. I’ve learnt a great deal from people all over the world. It feels like talking about making things, building worlds is what connects all of us and I just enjoy sharing what I’ve learnt with the beautiful people that surround me.

FMM: Did you ever have a mentor?

Jake: I’ve been mentored by so many; high school teachers, parents, friends, colleagues. None would have known it per se. There’s always someone you can learn something from, you just gotta listen. I’m not the best listener but I try and take notes.