"I'm inspired by characters, films and energies" - An Interview with George Maple | Purple Sneakers

There is no denying that George Maple is one of Australia's most exciting exports. Her incredible vocals and her impressive catalogue so far have seen her go from up-and-comer to international force to be reckoned with, and she's not showing signs of slowing down any time soon.

Now collaborating with the likes of Goldlink and What So Not, George Maple continues to shoot straight for the stratosphere, and we can't help but sit back and watch her rise. Speaking to her briefly at this year's Splendour In The Grass, we got to know her a bit better before what is sure to be a killer end to her biggest year yet.

What got you into music?

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I guess I just started being really creative and that transposed into making music.

I loved that track with Goldlink, 'Sticks and Horses', can you tell me a bit more about it and what inspired you?

That song is just straight up sex money power haha, I guess I had been kind of observing just some of the going on's around me for a while, just observing how people interacted with those three concepts. That song was just a... it transpired from my observations, and then Goldlink jumped on and wrote the verse after the song was finished, so yeah it was really cool.

What's the best live act you've seen?

You know what, I saw RUFUS at Coachella this year and it blew me away, it was really awesome.

I love your fashion, what inspires you?

Thank you, I'm very inspired by characters, and films and just energies. It's really about the energy that I'm feeling at the time.

You've worked with some pretty big names, who's been your favourite?

My favourite? Oh, I love them all! I feel like collaborators always have a space in your life so they may come and go for a couple of years. I think that it's really important to acknowledge when the energy is right and just focus on that. Then you may work with someone different next time, but at the moment I'm happy with everyone that I work with.

When was your first kiss?

Uh I was 11? Maybe 12, I think I was 12 and it was at the back of my school court yard. I don't know if you did this, but in primary school everyone would just hang around, like watch? We ended up dating though he was really cool.

Where's your favourite place in the world?

Uhh... Splendour haha. No it's not, it'd probably be Paris.

Oh yeah, how many times have you been there?

I lived there when I was 15, and have sort of been going there on and off since then, I love it.

What did you want to be when you were little?

I wanted to make music, always.

Dream come true, then! Do you have a pre-show ritual?

I kind of just dance around, sing, get the body moving and then jump on stage, it's pretty simple actually. And just keeping really calm not getting stressed. That's the biggest one for me.

What's the best show you've ever played?

Would have to be on this Australian tour actually, I think it was... I don't know, the best reception was probably Melbourne, but Sydney I found was the best show because, I don't know - it felt so surreal.

Who would your dream collaboration be with?

Kanye.

What's your favourite pizza?

Mushroom with goats cheese.

Do you have any unreleased music we should be looking out for?

There's a hell of a lot! *laughs*

Words by Julia Insolia and Emma Jones.

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