Domino By Domino is a song written and produced by two strangers during lockdown. Despite only ever having spoken over Zoom, the synth-pop duo have combined their influences to build a sound that could grace the best sci-fi movies or dance floors.
The result is a ready made hit befitting of the digital age. Drawing their name from the film Metropolis, False Maria blend current and futuristic sounds with a sonic throwback to the 80s. Sawtooth sequencers, deep groovy bass, lovely production detail and hooks you will sing all week.
What first got you into music?
– Fionn: I think it was probably the first band I was in. We were called Rhythm Sticks and we were a 15 piece blues/jazz fusion band. There were at least 3 drum kits, 4 guitarists, trumpet, bass, percussion etc…the list goes on. We were very loud. We wrote all our own stuff and were invited to play at some awesome venues. The Barbican, The Vortex, Cockpit Theatre to name a few. We also recorded an album which is probably still on Bandcamp somewhere.
– Clara: I started by writing a lot of poems and short stories when I was younger, and then this love of words spiralled when I realised I could add melodies to them and make them even more interesting. I wrote my first song when I was around 8 (it was awful), and haven’t stopped since then.
Who inspired you to make music?
– Fionn: There are probably a few people to blame for this. To name a few of my early inspirations – Tom Waits, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Marc Ribot.
– Clara: A lot of Lily Allen, Erykah Badu, Beyonce, and Lauren Hill stuff when I was young, and now I love James Blake, Bonobo,Jordan Rakei and Billie Eilish so kind of a switch, but I think it makes for an interesting palette!
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
– Fionn: LOUD.
– Clara: Just a lot of harmonies honestly.
What is your creative process like?
– Fionn: I think its important to mention that Clara and I have never actually met. In person. So a lot of our creative process happens over Zoom.
– Clara: Yeah this was interesting, as Fionn mentioned we never met in person so it was cool to have time to bounce back individual ideas until they blurred into something completely new.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
– Fionn: St Vincent! She is the coolest.
– Clara: Chloe and Halle, I love that they produce their own stuff and they manipulate pop in such an amazing way.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
– Fionn: I do! My go tos are probably, Space Oddity, Under the Bridge, New York (St Vincent) and plenty of others.
– Clara: Who doesn’t? My music taste gets 100 x sadder and cheesier in the shower so you’ll probably hear me belting some Chasing Pavements by Adele or 1+1 by Beyonce.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
– Fionn: A proper job, on a sustainable income, I imagine? 🙂
– Clara: Haha I’m guessing I would be employed which would be nice!
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
-Fionn: I think thats a multi faceted question. It’s definitely more possible now to make a living off of a modest (but engaged) fanbase, without the need for a record label, or a manager if you are clever about it. But it still involves a huge amount of work, and an awful lot of luck too. There are also major problems with the power wielded by playlisters and curators. The way in which the streaming ecosystem works at the moment allows for established artists to stay at the top, irrespective of quality, and prevents new and/or challenging artists from getting into the higher echelons.
– Clara: I think it has had an amazing impact on the music industry in that you don’t need to be signed to label yourself a musician and create income, however I think the over saturation of content and the pressure on artists to be a brand 24/7 is tough and adds another layer to the job. Also as Fionn mentioned, the power is very unevenly distributed within the industry and this is something that is hard to break through, and artists have to constantly find new ways to get noticed/make income.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
– Fionn: Not exactly sure, I think I’m a pretty sensible guy most of the time. I once got very drunk, invited some friends back to my parents house and accidentally spilled beer all over my dad’s work computer though. That didn’t do me any favours.
– Clara: No comment. Actually I’m really not very rock and roll so I’m not sure aha!
What’s next for you?
– Fionn: We’re working on lots of new material. We’ve got a few songs under our belt now and are fine tuning the production details. So in short, more singles and more videos!
– Clara: Lots more songs which I’m excited for and some more content which should be great!
Thank you for the interview, You can check out False Maria on Social Media and Spotify with the links below.
