Mwah shatters, ripples, pulses, throbs and whispers.
The release marks the first extended Purient release since Memories in 2021. However, Kate Durham has been actively creating regardless of the project, also producing music as a member of Acopia, who released their sophomore self-titled album just last year. Durham joined Jenna Parker on Lunch to discuss the release of her new EP , dream-informed songwriting, and music videos.
The new EP moves in a clubby and ambient direction; the heavier, electronic sound of Memories made into something more sleek. However, the release of that 2021 EP brought about some unexpected and exciting collaborations for Durham, with remixes by Varg and Eartheater.
“I was really lucky to have been able to put it out on the Australian label called Pelvis, who also run a really amazing clothing line and put on some really cool events as well. They suggested it… they were kind of like if you could ask anyone to do a remix …and I was like, “Oh, surely I couldn't ask someone like Varg or Eartheater because they're, you know, just really cool…and I'm a really small artist… as if they're going to say yes. And then they just said yes.”
The process of creating Mwah differed quite a bit to Memories, seemingly more a product of determination to release something – exceptions include writing ‘Mwah’ and ‘Three Mirrors’, where it was obvious to Durham that they belonged together.
“I was really sort of like, stressing myself out, because I was just thinking – “I just want to put something out, I need to put something out.” I was lucky enough to go on holiday and when I came back, the final three just happened. I think it was just sort of getting my head clear.”
Themes of the album also became clearer – something a bit more intimate, a raw reflection on how self worth and honesty grows as time goes on.
"Focusing on my actual self and my health helped that process.”
Comparing Durham’s writing process with in Acopia highlights the differences that arise when collaborating with others and having to exercise discipline as a solo artist – something that she seems to have mastered for this release. Acopia – other members bring Lachlan McGeehan and Morgan Wright – seems to require a more structured approach to songwriting whereas Purient spreads its wings at moments of change and growth, documenting.
“It's quite different, obviously, having two amazing other musicians in Acopia is really helpful, because you're always bouncing ideas off each other, being really forthcoming with what you feel about each song and demo idea that we all bring. I think the main differences is probably that Acopia is quite regimented, and we've got quite a strict schedule in terms of how we work and what we do, and when we're doing it by, whereas for Purient, it's more I'm doing it when I really feel like I'm experiencing an internal change.”
Acopia’s work has a dream-like quality, something that trickled into Purient in practice. ‘Three Mirrors’ was informed by a series of nightmares Durham had, facing three mirrors with terrifying reflections staring back.
“It's quite rare when something comes from a dream, but it's so special when that happens. I was telling my boyfriend, after I had this nightmare one time, and he was like, ”that's a cool song title name,” so it just kind of happened like that.” I mean, I feel like I find mirrors particularly scary.”
Words by Rhea Thomas