Behind the Lyrics: An In-Depth Interview with Rising Indie Artist Molly Seger
In the ever-evolving world of indie music, Molly Seger stands out as a true storyteller. A songwriter and producer with a knack for turning complex emotions into melodies, Molly has crafted a niche that merges the intimacy of indie rock, pop, and folk. Her songs dig into the raw terrain of heartbreak, growing up, and the bittersweet weight of self-reflection. Each track feels like a chapter of her life, a window into her mind as she navigates moments of love, loss, and resilience. With a sound that’s both distinct and ever-evolving, Molly’s music invites listeners to see themselves in her words and feel alongside her. In this exclusive interview, Molly opens up about her creative process, revealing how personal experiences and sheer emotion guide her songwriting. From the spark behind her well-loved song California from the Backseat to the powerful coincidences shaping her latest release, Glass House, Molly shares stories that have influenced her artistry in unexpected ways. She also reflects on the balancing act of staying true to her creative vision in the digital age, her dream collaborations, and the music that first inspired her to pick up a guitar. As Molly teases exciting new music on the horizon, we’re thrilled to share this honest, inspiring look into the journey of a musician who’s just getting started but already leaving a lasting mark.
Nicolle: Hi, Molly, first things first, could you introduce yourself and the kind of music you make to our readers?
Molly: My name is Molly Seger and I write and produce my own music, usually somewhere in the indie rock, pop or folk genres. I tend to explore many areas of that spectrum but I think regardless of how different some of my songs are, I have my niche sound that I incorporate into all of them. I’m a big fan of synths. I write a lot about heartbreak and angst, growing up and being angry or sad. A lot of those complicated emotions.
Nicolle: Your music often blends deeply personal storytelling with unique soundscapes. How do you approach the songwriting process, and what inspires you to turn your experiences into lyrics?
Molly: Usually when writing I sit down with my guitar in an open tuning and I just start singing. If I’m inspired, lyrics tend to flow out pretty easily. Which isn’t ideal when I’m in a bit of writer’s block, but when I have something to say I have a lot to write. It’s easy for me to turn experiences into lyrics because I honestly feel like that’s the way I best express how I’m feeling most of the time. It’s easier for me to write a song about something than to just say it outright.
Nicolle: As an artist navigating the modern music industry, how do you balance the demands of social media and public presence with staying true to your creative vision?
Molly: I don’t feel a whole lot of pressure with that sort of thing just yet since I’m “undiscovered” I guess. But I’ve always felt very comfortable being myself on my social media I think, since my music is how I feel I best express myself and I want to reach an audience that connects with me, I try to be as authentic as I can when promoting or representing myself online.
Nicolle: The first song I heard from you was California from the Backseat, which I love, what is the story behind it?
Molly: I wrote it for someone I was dating at the time about the fear I had over the feelings I had for them. I felt really strongly but had been hurt before and I didn’t want to feel it again, but ultimately knew I had no choice and would feel the way I felt no matter if I fought it or not, so I might as well let myself love. The funny thing is, I think it was received in a sort of negative / heartbreak-esque light when it was released and had its editorial moment - which used to really bother me. Now that I look back on that relationship and the song itself, I see it that way too.
Nicolle: You recently released a new song called Glass House, can you tell us more about how it came to be?
Molly: I love telling this story. I had an idea for a song but not many lyrics yet, and I wrote the line “You just look right through me” and was trying to think of things that are see-through - I came up with glass (It’s see-through AND it breaks easily) - and for whatever reason, the words “I’m a glass house” came out of me. I googled “glass house destroyed” just to see if there even ever was a glass house, and if that’s ever happened. Ironically, the first article to come up was about a multimillion-dollar house that was burnt down due to wildfires in California - specifically the hometown of the subject of California from the Backseat. The house was also built in my birth year and overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge where we had put love locks when I visited. Weirdest coincidence of my life, so weird I don’t think it was a coincidence at all. Then I did the photoshoot for the song at this old abandoned worn down house near my hometown that had been there for literally forever - a week after the photoshoot, the house was demolished. It all felt very symbolic and like a closing chapter for me. I felt very confident in this song’s potential from the moment I wrote it.
Nicolle: What are your biggest influences? Do you listen to old stuff from, let’s say, the 80s, or do you prefer contemporary music?
Molly: I know people say this all the time, but I really do listen to a bit of almost everything. I love 80’s pop music, Bruce Springsteen, 70’s classics like Fleetwood Mac & The Beatles, and a ton of modern indie-rock/pop. The Japanese House, The 1975, etc. - but my number one inspiration has always been Bleachers & Jack Antonoff.
Nicolle: If you could pick someone to write a song with, who would it be?
Molly: If I could write a song with anyone I think it would be Amber Bain or Phoebe Bridgers. I’d say Adrianne Lenker but I think I’d be so intimidated and out of my element I’d just end up sitting and watching.
Nicolle: What song made you fall in love with music and want to be an artist?
Molly: I’ve loved music all my life and there’s a billion songs I could name that contributed to my love for singing, writing and recording music - but what really comes to mind are two Bleachers songs. First, I saw them live for the first time at a small venue in Philadelphia in 2017, where they performed “Rollercoaster” the same way they always have and have every time I’ve seen them since. The “Juno Interlude” speech (If you haven’t heard it, it’s online somewhere for sure. Worth a listen / watch) brought me to tears and changed my life. I started writing music shortly after that. In my junior year of high school, Bleachers randomly dropped a song without leading promo featuring Bruce Springsteen. My dad raised me on Bruce so to have two of the most pivotal artists of my life collaborate was exciting enough - but as soon as I heard the song, I knew it would be my favourite forever. It’s an absolutely magical, cinematic song that just sounds how music feels to me, if that makes sense. I covered the song shortly after and posted it, and Jack Antonoff reposted it. That was the first time I ever felt truly seen and believed in musically - someone I look up to so dearly recognising something I resonated with and created. It was so special to me. I will never forget it and I hold onto that feeling any time I’m discouraged.
Nicolle: Last but not least, can we expect some new music or even an EP in the near future?
Molly: Yes definitely! It’s been a crazy semester at school, and I’ve been super busy - but I have a lot of stuff I’m working on and super excited to share. I’m overwhelmed by trying to figure out what I want to put out next, but I think (and hope) you will love it!
As we wrap up, it’s clear that Molly Seger’s music reflects her passion, vulnerability, and unique perspective. From her early inspirations to her journey of self-expression through sound, she’s a rising voice in indie music to keep an eye on. With new projects on the horizon, we can’t wait to hear what Molly has in store next. Stay tuned—you won’t want to miss the next chapter in her musical journey!
You can stream Glasshouse on all major platforms and follow Molly on her Instagram at @molly.seger
In the ever-evolving world of indie music, Molly Seger stands out as a true storyteller. A songwriter and producer with a knack for turning complex emotions into melodies, Molly has crafted a niche that merges the intimacy of indie rock, pop, and folk. Her songs dig into the raw terrain of heartbreak, growing up, and the bittersweet weight of self-reflection. Each track feels like a chapter of her life, a window into her mind as she navigates moments of love, loss, and resilience. With a sound that’s both distinct and ever-evolving, Molly’s music invites listeners to see themselves in her words and feel alongside her.