Introducing… Maud the Moth

Scotland-based artist Amaya López-Carromero, is better known as Maud the Moth. Her music is eclectic and mixes together waves of heavy doom-scorned post-rock, ethereal darkwave synths, and gothic chamber rock with pianos, psalteries and strings. Some of her songs are like ten-minute mini-albums that run the whole gambit of Maud the Moth’s sound. Others choose to hang out with a certain mood tone instead. Whatever Amaya is cooking, it is usually deeply gothic and wildly experimental. Add to that Amaya’s vocals flex from operatic siren to intimate tender songwriter at the drop of a hat and it truly is a unique ride.

Maud the Moth’s new single ‘Despeñaperros’ encapsulates everything I’ve just mentioned. From kooky piano trembles to surges of avant-rock, the song is a cinematic powerhouse. In a recent blog post, she joked about it being a radio-friendly nine-and-a-half-minute single. I concur, but it is the perfect starting point for all things Maud the Moth. You don’t come to this project for an easy ride. Instead, the music is here to challenge you. ‘Despeñaperros’ is the second single from the forthcoming album ‘The Distaff’ which comes out on 21st February. Speaking about the single, Amaya says:

“Despeñaperros is one of the cornerstones of The Distaff’s universe. A canyon and natural reserve with dramatic geology and very violent historical background, the Despeñaperros Pass is a gateway into the wilderness. Its name, which can be translated as “where dogs are thrown off the cliff”, has unclear origins and adds to the lore and mystery shrouding this area in the Spanish collective consciousness. Growing up in an environment where hunting and animal cruelty were commonplace and artistic sensitivities often ridiculed, Despeñaperros unfolded in my imagination, transcending its real physical location, and reforming as a quasi-mythical mountain for the sacrifice of those perceived as weak, different, misunderstood or simply challenging tradition.”

I think the animalistic nature of battling for survival at the edge of a cliff comes through in the music and this is what drew me to the song. For more information on all things Maud the Moth, choose your preferred platform using Linktree.