Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Molly Ganley
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My parents would sing my brother and I to sleep at night. They would sing a song in which they would list the people in our lives and remind us that they loved us. I remember never wanting it to end (because I didn’t want it to have to go to sleep) and reminding them of random classmates that I wanted mentioned in the song, and though probably pretty tired, they would lovingly oblige.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
Music has always been woven into the fabric of my childhood, my family, and my personhood, and I cannot remember a time when I didn’t love to sing. My father is a musician, and I grew up going to his shows, which was a very formative experience. As a child I delighted in every choir or musical opportunity I had in school, and I began writing songs as early as 9 or 10.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My debut album, ‘Eldest Daughter’, was a lifetime in the making. Growing up watching my dad make his records, I had always known that I wanted to do it, too, but for a long time it was nothing more than a distant dream. In 2021, some friends and I formed a band and began writing our own songs and performing in NYC, and it was that experience that gave me the confidence to pursue my solo project.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My musical hero is Brandi Carlile, and I always reference her when describing my music. Her storytelling and self-expression have always inspired me more than any other artist. I viscerally remember the first time I heard her songs, and I knew immediately that I had found my musical North Star. When I was writing the songs for this record, I would ask myself, “Would this sound good if Brandi sang it?”, and if it didn’t, I would ditch the song. For real.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Not to put pressure on songwriting. I go through periods of feeling like a prolific writer and then subsequent creative droughts, and I’ve had to learn to accept that a song will only come to me when it decides to. By taking the pressure off of songwriting, I have been able to be so much more explorative with my instruments, which ultimately leads to more creativity and enjoyment in the writing process.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My songwriting process is simple – it usually just consists of my acoustic guitar, a pen and paper, and a few hours of uninterrupted free time. When ideas strike me while I’m on the go, I’ll make a voice note and come back to it later when I’m in the creative zone.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I did some vocal arranging & recording on Sweetbreads’ upcoming album last year, and I’m obsessed with every single one of her songs.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
It’s a common trope that the oldest child in the family ends up approaching life very by-the-book: following the rules, striving for achievement, and holding themselves to a high standard. In my early adulthood, I was able to recognize the ways in which the perfectionism that I had always clung to was stifling and destructive, and I began the process of disentangling myself from the matrix of societal conditioning that had shaped my life up to that point. It was this journey of growth and self-discovery that is the connecting thread in my album, aptly named ‘Eldest Daughter’.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Honestly, I just hope people connect to the music. I know there are many people out there who might not necessarily relate to my work, and that’s okay – I’d rather just deeply move the people who do connect to the feelings and experiences I write about. I hope that my work makes people feel seen and gives them a sense of connection to themselves, their communities, and the Earth.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
With absolutely zero experience, I began taking violin lessons almost two years ago, and being an adult beginner has been one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences of my life. It has taught me that I am capable of doing anything I desire as long as I have dedication and commitment. It has also helped me fiercely fight my perfectionism, as I’ve had to accept that I will make many, many mistakes, and in that process I have been able to experience the joy of learning a new instrument and expanding my musical world without the pressure of having to always get it right.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to play an acoustic show in an old theater that was built before electric sound amplification. As the acoustics in those older buildings naturally amplify sound, I feel like the intimacy of an un-mic-ed acoustic show in that kind of a venue would be unparalleled.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Brandi Carlile… does that surprise anyone?
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
‘Eldest Daughter’ is on all streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music. You can follow me on instagram @mollzganz for updates or check out my website mollyganleymusic.com.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I’m hoping to get back into the studio soon! We’ll see what 2026 has in store. I’m looking forward to playing more gigs next year as well.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
To be honest, I hope that listeners can see themselves reflected in my work, and that they can experience some self-discovery – and I am honored every single time that my work gets to be that conduit.
