We recently had the privilege of catching up with Polly Mackey aka ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND.

Last week saw the release of her second album ‘Soft Landing’ via Fiction Records, and we dived deep into her journey through music, the album and touring.

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The new album is called ‘Soft Landing’, what is the meaning behind the name?

ASG: So it is really weird, I had seen this phrase that kept seeing it in articles and books and adverts, everywhere. It is like the universe is speaking to me and it became the name of my album. A lot of what the album’s meaning is when you are in your mid-20’s and life is up in the air, it feels like being on a treadmill looking towards the feature.

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The release of ‘Soft Landing’ is almost here, how excited are you for people to hear it?

ASG: I am really excited for everyone to hear, because it has been quite a long time since the first single was released. I still feel really connected to it thought, compared to my debut record where it was released during lockdown. That record was delayed, and when we could tour again, I felt really disconnected from it because of that. This time, I wrote and produced album, it was then mixed and mastered within a few months, I gave myself a really strict deadline and I have become really attached to it. It feels very of the moment and I’m really excited for people to hear it.

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What can fans expect from the album that they haven’t already heard from the singles?

ASG: A lot of people have said that it is a change in sound; it has been described as a more dance vibe. Compared to my last album, it is all well and good writing a break-up record in your studio at night time, but then playing it live in the afternoon in a field, it felt like it didn’t connect with people. I really wanted to access a lot of music I listened to growing up like heavy guitars and songs full of energy. I wanted to bring that into my music more so that when it is played live, it would affect people. The other tracks on the album do have more of the chilled sound that I am known for.

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As your first record was released during lockdown, how different does it feel to be bringing your second album out now that you are able to play live again?

ASG: It feels like this new album is my debut, because of the strange times the first album was released in, we wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to tour, in-person interviews weren’t possible. Now that everything is going back to normal, it really feels like this is my debut where we can play it live straight away and don’t have to worry about any restrictions.

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Did you feel upset that you put all your hard work into your debut album, and then wasn’t able to get it out there like you are able to with ‘Soft Landing’?


ASG: It wasn’t that upsetting because the pandemic was a major concern, but the main difference is that I was playing shows non-stop from the age of 16. It was the longest time I have ever gone without playing a gig. So when it was released, I could see the number going up on streaming platforms, but it didn’t really kick in until live shows were happening again where I could speak to people face to face about their favourite tracks. This one I am able to see it connect with people and it is a really great feeling.

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How did the lockdown restrictions help you get into writing ‘Soft Landing’?

ASG: When my debut album was released in September 2021, I went straight into writing the new album over the winter, and then went into the studio in the spring of 2022. I definitely hit the ground running with this new record.

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What has been your writing process like for the new album?

ASG: I had a studio set up in the corner of my living room, and I did as much as I could possibly do in my own space, before taking it into the studio to get it over the finishing line. I really geeked out on the production side of it. The Church Studios in Crouch End is where I have been making music for years, even in my old bands. I co-produced ‘Soft Landing’ with Riley MacIntyre who is a producer in the studio and we just went crazy with all the amazing gear that is available to give the tracks the finishing touches.

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How important is it to you that you continue to work with Church Studios with each release?

ASG: I feel very lucky and in a unique position because I could go into the studio whenever I was free and use the space to finish demos. The studio became the creative space and the family that it has, became this amazing little community that everyone could get involved in. It gave me insight into the engineering side to it too and I feel very fortunate to how all that has helped me grow as an artist.

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How have your musical influences from growing up come to light on the new album?

ASG: I am more known for a synth sound, but on this album there is a lot more guitar on it, but not in the traditional way. A lot of the sounds on the record that may sound like synth, is actually guitar that has been really manipulated. That will reflect live as well with my guitarist Jack who I have been played in bands with since I was 15.

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Your UK tour is coming up this November, and you will be playing in some intimate venues, is there any in particular you are most excited for?

ASG: We chose small venues on purpose. We want to play to packed out rooms so the audience feels connected, and with rising costs on everything currently, it is becoming more expensive to tour these days. We handpicked venues that we know and love that have amazing sound systems and hopefully can fill the space. I love playing YES in Manchester, and really looking forward to playing the ICA in the centre of London.

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Where does the name ‘Art School Girlfriend’ originate from?

ASG: A lot of band names that artist think of are already taken. Over the years when I sent over demos to a publishing company, I used a different name for each release and they always came back that this name is already taken. My partner at the time was doing a DJ group with some friends from art school, and they were going to be called ‘The Art School Girlfriends’ and they never used it, so I asked them if I could use it and they happily handed over the name.

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What can fans expect from an Art School Girlfriend live show?

ASG: I try to make the live show more elevated compared to what the album sounds like. In my old bands we would write music, tour and then go into the studio to try and capture it. Whereas this time around, I have a live band who can mix the live drums and guitars but also add the electronic sounds to it.

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How important is it to you to bring a full band to your live shows to elevate your music?

ASG: As an electronic artist, I feel you can get away with getting away with doing music minimally, that is one way where I could play solo in loads of different towns and cities, but for me I don’t enjoy doing that as much. It doesn’t give as much as a good show without a band. If i think about how I fell in love with music, it was going to gigs and having the force of a band shaking the walls. It is really important to me and I continue to do it for as long as I possibly can.

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How do you utilise your free time whilst on tour?

ASG: One of the benefits of touring the UK is because it is really small compared to the US. Some days in America you are driving for 12 hours, or in Europe it could be 8 hours, so that doesn’t give you much time to do fun stuff. In the UK it is really good for that, driving from Manchester to Leeds is less than 2 hours, so it is nice to explore and try find a pub that has a pool table.

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Do you have any strange rider requests for your shows?

ASG: No not really, I have had friends in other bands who have asked for art before, which I might incorporate for this tour. I really just ask for healthy snacks, as you get so used to eating crisps outside service stations.

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Are there any particular remedies you use before playing a show?

ASG: Lots of water is important, it is hard not to drink on tour to be honest. I do feel a couple of drinks before going on stage does help me to connect to the music a lot more. When I was on tour in America, I lost track of what day and what time it was and any sense of looking after myself. I really felt that afterwards.

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Your 2023 is pretty jam packed, the release of ‘Soft Landing’ is almost here, and your UK tour is only a few months away. Is there anything else planned for this year?

ASG: The album and tour is what is left for the year. Hopefully at the start of next year I will be playing in Europe and a few festivals after that. But I will be mainly using next year to write the next record.

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Finally, the most important question. If you had to create your perfect tour breakfast, what would it be?

ASG: A breakfast burrito. That is one of my favourite things about touring America is the fact you can eat food like that for breakfast.

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A massive thank you to Polly for taking the time out of her day to chat with us and we look forward to catching up again soon!

You can purchased ‘Soft Landing’ along with many different bundles HERE.

ART SCHOOL GIRLFRIEND will be touring the UK this November on the following dates:

1st November – Bristol, Rough Trade
2nd November – London, ICA
3rd November – Brighton, Komedia
4th November – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
8th November – Leeds, Oporto
9th November – Manchester, YES Pink Room