Words & interview by Ed King / Live pic by Callum Lees
“I called it an EP of uplift angst – it’s in your face, but it’s got a nice positive message underneath it as well… fuck the negative, put a positive spin on it and write about the good stuff. The happy stuff, the stuff that makes you feel good.”
Described as ‘Silently observational’, ‘fearlessly immersed’, the ‘Queen of grunge’ and our personal favourite, ‘effortlessly cool’, MeMe Detroit crosses the boundaries from blues to indie rock.
Storming onto the Birmingham music scene with her debut album, Live to Love You’ll Love to Live, in 2016, MeMe Detroit has been a regular fixture on listings in the Midlands and beyond ever since. ‘Hard working’ could certainly be added to the list.
Her latest EP, Life in the Now, was released in November 2018 – following a sell out gig with REWS and Thousand Thoughts at The Flapper in Birmingham and a successful promotional tour across the wider UK.
MeMe Detroit’s latest single, ‘Will You Be My Lie?’, was released in May 2019 – exploring the complications and computations when a wondering eye turns into a divisive secret. Hence the title. But narrative is strong across all MeMe Detroit’s portfolio, with tracks from her latest EP exploring themes of social restraint (and a healthy push the other way), identity, love, betrayal, and our obsession with social media. There’s even a happy homage to one of Birmingham’s prominent live music venues, but you’ll have to listen to Life in the Now and work that out for yourself.
Birmingham Review last saw MeMe Detroit at the NOT NORMAL NOT OK live gig fundraiser at the Hare & Hounds on Friday 7th June – after she was put forward as the headline act by BBC Introducing, who were supporting the gig and ongoing campaign to challenge sexual assault in the music scene. Since then there have been highs, lows, line up and costume changes…
Ed King caught up with MeMe Detroit for a chat and special acoustic performance of ‘Will You Be My Lie?’ at Cherry Reds on John Bright Street in Birmingham – ahead of her full band set at the Hare & Hounds on Thursday 25th July, and a further acoustic set as part of the Female Voices Night at Tower of Song on Sunday 28th July.
Watch the full interview below, or click here to jump straight to the song.
Interview with MeMe Detroit – includes acoustic performance of ‘Will You Be My Lie?’ @ Cherry Reds 19.07.19
MeMe Detroit will be playing a full band set at the Hare & Hounds on Thursday 25th July, alongside Hollows and Namsakē. For direct event details and online tickets, visit www.bit.ly/2y9gpd6
MeMe Detroit will be playing an acoustic set as part of the Female Voices Night at Tower of Song on Sunday 28th July – with Ellie Gowers & Chloe Mogg. For direct event details and online ticket sales, visit www.facebook.com/events/711942659235581
For more on MeMe Detroit, visit www.memedetroit.com
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NOT NORMAL NOT OK is a campaign to encourage safety and respect within live music venues, and to combat the culture of sexual assault and aggression – from dance floor to dressing room.
To learn more about the NOT NORMAL NOT OK campaign, click here. To sign up and join the NOT NORMAL NOT OK campaign, click here.
If you have been affected by any of the issues surrounding sexual violence – or if you want to report an act of sexual aggression, abuse or assault – click here for information via the ‘Help & Support’ page on the NOT NORMAL NOT OK website.
