THN Interview: Michael Malarkey About New EP And The Vampire Diaries

Earlier this week we brought you news that American network The CW had renewed a whole host of shows including the brilliant Vampire Diaries. Actor Michael Malarkey joined the show during season five as Enzo, a character from Damon’s past.

Malarkey was born in Beirut, just like Keanu Reeves, but was raised in Ohio. Then around ten years ago he moved to the UK. Whilst on our shores he studied at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

When he isn’t vamping it up Michael has a passion for music and has recently released an EP titled Feed the Flames. During his winter break from filming he opted to not go somewhere sunny and warm, instead choosing to hang-out with old friends in Essex and do a couple of intimate gigs for fans. THN went to his homecoming show at Wilton’s Music Hall and had a wonderful evening of entertainment – those who have never visited the venue really should as it has a distinctly otherworldly and enchanting vibe about it.

During the concert Michael easily showed that he wasn’t just an actor playing at singing. We had to track him down for a chat and what follows is all the information you need to convince you to buy his EP, and there are (of course) some Vampire Diaries talk.

For those not familiar with it, how would you describe your music?
Indie Folk music, I suppose. I don’t know. I just work here…

Can you talk us through the songs on the EP, how did each come into being?
I actually find it very difficult to describe the journey of a song. A lot of people think that songwriters must think of a subject they want to write about and then just write a song. It doesn’t work like that. At least for me. It’s not a very lucid process. I tend to start writing guitar parts and then see what emotions they evoke, then write a few lyrics and see where it takes me. Sometimes I end up writing a song with subject matter that I had no idea I was thinking about. Most of the time, the song inspires itself.

Through The Night And Back Again is about the cyclical “with or without you” nature of relationships. In a way, that struggle is what the whole EP is about. The light-hearted presentation of the fairly angsty subject matter is the key to what makes this song work, in my opinion. It’s tongue-in-cheek, but hopefully poignant because we all have these feelings of ambivalence in love…and who says you can’t write a song with 3 chords??

Feed The Flames is where you end up after the battles. It’s about (as the title suggests) taking responsibility to keep the fire going instead of focusing on blame which usually results in the fire burning out. There’s other themes in there too.

Everything’s Burned is the only song on here that I wrote awhile back, almost 10 years ago, but it seemed to fit nicely as a mad interlude. This is back when I used to write poems first and then try to crowbar them into songs. As far as the subject matter goes, it’s about not adhering to stereotypes and carving your own path, in life and in love. I was reading a lot of Beat Poets at the time and many of my poems around this time period have a similar seemingly nonsensical demeanour. I actually found this in my jacket pocket one morning in a bunch of crumpled up cocktail napkins. Must have been a lonely night. Thought it was too mental not to do something with.

Lost & Sound is about succumbing to the fact that people change and they can either change and move apart or change together. This is a plea for the latter. I actually wrote this one the week before going into the studio. It’s as close as I get to a pop song.

The Bells Still Ring is what it says on the tin. It’s about rediscovering the love that you thought may have been lost…and finding it to be even stronger than before.

How long did the creating process take from start to finish?
No idea. I write a lot of music. When I’m in the zone, I’ll write a few songs a month. Some songs I will write in a couple hours, others take the better part of a day. If you’re talking about the recording of the EP, however, we basically did it in 2 days up in Sheffield. It was the only time I had last summer to do it, so the process went a little faster than I would have liked, but I’m satisfied that we got the best outcome we could have under the circumstances.

What was made you decide that now was the right time to release the EP?
I’ve been recording my own music for about 10 years now, but I used to just send the songs to friends and family to share where my head was at. It got to the point where too many people were saying they’d actually buy that shit. Hahaha. I also have a lot of support with my current global platform so it seemed like the perfect time to give it an old college try.

You’ve obviously put a lot of thought and effort into Feed the Flames, were there any nerves about sharing it with the world? Especially given that some people out there might not know about your singing background?
There’s always been a shred of worry that people might think “oh another actor trying to make a career out of singing,” but I suppose once people realise that I’ve been doing this since I was a kid then maybe I won’t get that grief. There’s also a lot of people playing with loops and effects and all that jazz, but I just write songs. In the past, I’ve felt paranoid about not doing anything new or groundbreaking, but if I’ve learned anything over the years its that you don’t need to try and be too clever or even all that talented, you just need to just give your own specific gift with honesty – however simple it may seem – and let it grow from there. People respond to authenticity.

You mentioned Elvis during the gig at Wilton’s, who else would you say are your musical inspirations?
It’s always difficult to state your influences because everyone is eager to put you in the same playing field as your influences, for better or worse. If I say I’m influenced by Nick Cave, people will either strain to hear Nick Cave in my songs or be disappointed that I sound nothing like him. That being said, my influences are fairly eclectic. I grew up on punk and hardcore and the passion of that genre of music I’m sure continues to bleed into my songwriting. I still listen to a lot of Converge. I’m always checking out new bands and new songwriters; I listen to new music nearly everyday, so am continually inspired by new stuff. Wild Beasts and Blood Orange are two current favourites.

The UK venue was incredibly stunning, although a big venue the décor and such turned it into something much more intimate, what made you decide to do the show there?
I played Gatsby in a production of The Great Gatsby there about 2 years ago. I dropped Frances Mayhew (Artistic Director of Wilton’s) a line and asked if they would be willing to host. I was thrilled that they said yes. I wanted the venue to be special as this was a special show.

UK fans were treated to both an acoustic set with just yourself and a guitar as well as one with a full band. Which portion do you enjoy best and should US fans expect a similar set-up for the Atlanta shows (Michael is playing Eddie’s Attic in Decatur GA Sunday 18th Jan)?
I really enjoyed playing with the band. They’re all class acts and really helped to flesh out the songs yet maintain a simplicity that is necessary for acoustically-driven music. They’re all currently based in the UK and I’m hoping that they will be on board for when I tour up here. However, they all have their own projects as well so it may prove difficult to get them out for random shows here and there. My upcoming Atlanta show is going to be solo, but the venue (Eddie’s Attic) is perfect for that kind of intimate setup.

You’re obviously more recognised as Enzo in The Vampire Diaries, the shows fans seem to really get behind all the casts’ endeavours, how have they been supporting your music?
It’s been amazing how supportive everyone has been. I’m genuinely touched by the response. I’m already planning on the next EP which will take everything up a notch, but maintain the stripped-back quality that I love.

We’re a little bit behind the US transmission of the show (our last episode was one that aired in November in the states), bearing that in mind what can we expect to see from Enzo in the coming episodes?
You’ll see some more of the Enzo/Stefan conflict. However, Enzo starts getting a lot more calculated in his antics, involving Matt & a new girl in his twisted schemes. Obviously complete with witty banter…

The show has just been renewed for a seventh series – will Enzo live to see it?
If he survives that long! He can be a little…hmmm……abrasive…

The other popular British character Klaus got his own spin-off show would that be something that you would be interested in? What would that show be like?
I don’t think they could play the spin-off card twice. The reason The Originals is so successful is that it is a world and family that exists already on it’s own accord. In the highly unlikely scenario of them wanting to do one for me, I would suggest doing a different show and character entirely. I’d love to do something more naturalistic next…

There is a long history of musicians becoming actors and vice-versa, how do you find it juggling both elements? Does one win out over the other?
It’s a little chaotic, but I feel like I have the creative stamina. This is where it pays to have other people on board to help out with the trivialities. That way I can mainly focus on the artistic side of things. Acting will always win out because it is my main passion & priority. Music is what I go to in my downtime and that is why I love it. I’m not interested in signing with a major label because I don’t want it to become a “job,” but I have every confidence that I can stick with the right people that understand my situation and can help to support my artistic needs. That being said, I’m still going to work hard at building it up and touring and recording whenever I can, but if The Coen Brothers ever hit me up, I will literally drop everything and get on that plane…

If you have an interest in independent music, especially that of the acoustic guitar, folkish vibe I highly recommend giving Michael’s EP a listen. You can get your very own copy of Feed the Flames right here. Don’t forget to follow Michael on Twitter and Facebook for the latest tour details.

Images: Kat Smith