Experimental rock outfit The Grasping Straws are back on the scene with their latest sonic offering, ‘Shapes’. This bold and introspective project sees the band build on the success of their previous release, ‘Patterns’, by diving even deeper into the abstract. Available now, ‘Shapes’ is a captivating journey that explores themes of nature, emotional nuance, technology, and human connection, all delivered through their signature genre-defying soundscapes and vivid lyricism.
We recently had the chance to sit down with the band’s frontwoman, Mallory Feuer, to chat about the new record, their evolving sound, and the inspirations that fuel their creative fire. From early childhood musical explorations to the philosophical underpinnings of their new album, we covered a lot of ground.
Thank you so much for stopping by! Before we dig into the new album, let’s take it back a bit. For those who don’t know, when did you get into music?
“I have loved music since early childhood. My parents had a piano in the house, and I was immediately drawn to it. One of my parents’ friends taught me how to read music and I remember learning how to play and sing ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ by Savage Garden. I had a fisher price tape recorder and I wrote and recorded songs on it. The East Meadow public school district had a very strong music program that encouraged students to learn an instrument- I chose violin and immersed myself in classical music.”
“Next, I became fascinated with jazz music, harmonies, and improvisation. In college at NYU, I struggled to find a meaningful creative outlet and I had a series of realizations and breakthroughs (after a friend’s mental health crisis) that compelled me to live more authentically as an artist. I bought a guitar and started writing songs and performing them to anyone who would listen- at parks, bars, subway stations, parties. It was raw, rough and expressive. I met other songwriters, and I started to accrue collaborators. I was drawn to the anti-folk scene at the Sidewalk Café, which was deeply inspiring. Over the years, the Grasping Straws project has evolved into a kind of collective with many contributors, each bringing their own texture to the sound.”
Can you tell us a bit about the new album and what it means to you?
“Shapes are the ethereal building blocks of language, emotion, understanding, and communication. The album celebrates nature, oneness, and wildlife preservation, against a backdrop of technologically-driven consumerism. When we abstract away our arbitrarily assigned meanings, we can connect as pure lines, forms, colours, sounds, and overlapping shapes.”
“The previous album was called ‘Patterns’ and had to do with taking a step back and noticing the patterns and cycles through an abusive relationship. ‘Shapes’ goes one level of abstraction further. Thinking about patterns on a literal level, how do we assign meanings to shapes and connect with each other when there’s all these things on top of it?”
Where there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?
“I wrote the first line of ‘Comforts’ on a beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico. I travelled there with some friends. One day we all took a very long walk down the beach, and I felt like I was carrying too much stuff. It can be tough to communicate with a larger group of people- at some point a bunch of them peeled off to get food and left me on the beach watching a pile of all of their stuff. I felt saddled with all of the things. I took out a notebook and started journaling.”
“I observed some child surfers falling and getting back up, fearlessly. It started to rain on me. ‘Feeling the weight of all of my comforts’ I’ve been playing violin and keyboard in the Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage band the past few years, and having exposure to more of his work and the anti-folk music genre has inspired me a lot with my lyrics; I feel like that’s part of why the sound of the band has gotten a little bit less heavy because it’s been more lyric-focused.”
What was your songwriting process for the release? How did it all come together?
“Most of the songs on this album were written with the open mic as the deadline- I’ve gone through some phases of writing a new song each week to perform at the open mic. My current favourite is Bar Freda in Ridgewood, Queens. I think there are certain songs where the lyrics really come first, and other songs where the music comes first and I try to fit words to the music. I started a practice of just writing in a notebook every day or almost every day just to get words out and sometimes I mine through there for lyrical ideas.”
How would you describe the sound on the album? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“It’s art rock with psych and jazz undercurrents. There are moments of raw grunge, alternative rock energy and others that are tender, intricate, and even funky. I love dissonance, rhythmic surprise, and texture. Compared to our earlier work, Shapes is more focused on lyrics and layered vocal harmonies. There’s less of the screaming angst and more nuanced expression—though I still like to let it rip when the song calls for it. The dynamic range has expanded, and it feels like a more confident evolution of our sound.”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
“The central theme is about stripping away artificial meaning, distractions, and consumerism to find connection as pure life forms—through shapes. It’s tuning into the natural, the organic, the interconnected. There are many themes of technology and nature interwoven throughout the album. ‘Fingers’ is about tuning into the sounds of the natural world around you, picking up signs and messages, and communicating with the earth by screaming together. ‘Comforts’ also gets at the idea of being weighed down by the very things we use to feel safe. These songs sit in that tension.”
What sort of reception have you had to your latest release? Are there any memorable moments that stand out?
“The reception has been really heartening and encouraging—especially the personal comments people have left on TikTok. One listener wrote: “I feel like I just looked inside my soul a little.” Another said: “I feel like this healed something I didn’t even know was broken.” At the live shows, I love it when the crowd instantly quiets down and comes closer to the stage as I start to play. On our last tour, one audience member was disappointed I didn't have any vinyl for sale and really encouraged me to get some vinyl pressed. I did it!”
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?
“I want to keep touring—I find connecting with people face to face through performance to be the most rewarding aspect of making music. I’d love to continue collaborating with artists I admire. I want to make more music videos, soundtrack a film, and maybe release a visual album. Personally, I hope to keep growing—both spiritually and creatively. I want to live in harmony with nature and community. To keep learning, teaching, and healing—through music, yoga, coding, or whatever form that takes.”
What's next after this release? Do you have any plans or shows on the horizon?
“Yes! We’re kicking off the ‘Shapes’ album release with a sold out show at Union Pool in Brooklyn on July 23 and then hitting the road for an 11-day tour through the Northeast US and Canada supporting Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage. We’re also planning a Europe tour in October with shows already booked in Copenhagen, Stuttgart, Paris, and Kamen. I’m already working on new music and planning out the next album. The creative cycle never really stops—it just changes form.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?
“Thank you for listening. If this music moves you, tell a friend, come to a show, or share a song. Send me an email and tell me what you thought of the album. That support means everything for independent artists. You can find us on all platforms under The Grasping Straws or visit http://www.thegraspingstraws.com. Join the email list, follow on Instagram or TikTok, or grab some merch on our website. Every little bit of connection helps keep this ecosystem alive. Most of all—go outside. Breathe. Be present. Create.”
The Grasping Straws' journey from early musical inklings to their current, confident sound is a testament to artistic evolution and a dedication to authentic expression. ‘Shapes’ is an invitation to strip away the noise and connect with the raw, fundamental elements of existence.
With a sold-out show already under their belt and tours across the US, Canada, and Europe on the horizon, it's clear that The Grasping Straws are set to continue shaping the musical landscape for years to come.
You can connect with The Grasping Straws on Instagram, Facebook, and X, or head over to their website to join their mailing list.
