"Learning to tame the darker impulses rather than letting them control me, I've come to see the darkness as a friend rather than foe."

— mehro

They may prefer their name in lowercase, but mehro's music is anything but hushed. Their debut single, perfume, resonated profoundly, garnering over 67 million streams on Spotify. Delving into the depths of introspection, mehro's compositions eschew fleeting trends, instead focusing on raw emotion and unfiltered vulnerability. Their lyrical tapestry intricately weaves together themes of light and darkness, acknowledging the inherent balance and duality within the human experience. Rather than viewing darkness as an adversary, the singer-songwriter embraces it as a catalyst for personal transformation and growth, an alchemical journey of self-discovery.

Through their music, mehro extends an invitation to listeners to confront their own shadows and find solace in the beauty of shared human experiences. In a tumultuous world consumed by chaos and uncertainty, their melodies serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who lend an ear.

mehro’s new track reason to live is now available on Spotify
Their new album trauma lullabies is set for release on May 2nd.

David Gargiulo __ How did you discover your interest in music?

mehro __  It all began when I stumbled upon the movie Walk the Line by accident. That moment changed my life forever. That very night, I picked up a guitar and started playing. Shortly after, I began writing songs. That film was the catalyst for my journey into music.

DG __ After that moment, did you acquire your musical skills through self-instruction, or did you undergo formal training in instrumental and vocal classes?

mehro __ For the first year or two, I taught myself. Then, I began taking guitar lessons from Ryan Richko in Santa Monica. He's an amazing instructor. Additionally, I've been fortunate to have guidance from another guitar mentor, Adam Comstock, who has also worked on many of my songs. Adam has provided invaluable advice on various techniques, song arrangements, and picking styles. But overall, a lot of self instructions as I haven’t had formal lessons in a long time.

DG __ With over 67 million streams on Spotify for your debut single perfume, how did the success of that song impact your artistic journey and approach to subsequent releases?

"If my music and art can contribute to this journey of self-discovery and fulfillment, while also bringing joy to others, then I feel I'm living a life with purpose."

mehro __ Deeply! The success of perfume deeply impacted my entire life and career. It was the only song I had released for about six months. I released it during the pandemic which was an unprecedented time. The experience showed me that vulnerability in art, along with focusing on the intention behind the music, is what truly matters. We didn't have any expectations for the song's success initially, but it set the stage for me to continue pursuing my dreams. I'm excited for more people to discover perfume and the rest of my music as time goes on.

DG __ I really like what you just said. It seems like nowadays, many artists focus on crafting songs that fit into viral TikTok trends or other popular formats. It's refreshing to hear that your approach with perfume was different. It wasn't about chasing trends but rather about genuine expression.

mehro __ Absolutely! When perfume was released, I wasn't involved with TikTok at all, nor did I have any desire to be. However, my manager wisely told me “go where the people are, but don't change who you are,” which led me to reconsider and eventually embrace TikTok as a platform for promotion. You're correct in pointing out that the success of perfume wasn't driven by a calculated strategy to fit into a trend. Instead, it was about authentically expressing and evoking emotion, which, in my opinion, is the ultimate goal of music.

DG __ I've noticed how your music reflects a profound depth of emotion and complexity. Building on that, your album, Dark Corners and Alchemy, is a captivating exploration of the duality of the human experience. Can you share more about the inspiration behind dividing the album into “Dark Corners” and “Alchemy?”

mehro __ I wanted to give the listeners something unexpected with Dark Corners and Alchemy. I didn’t want to rest on the laurels of Sky On Fire. Don’t get me wrong, I cherish the success of Sky On Fire, but I didn't want to confine myself to a particular style or sound. I wanted my artistic identity to be fluid, not limited to any specific genre or expectation. “Dark Corners” is a revelation of my darker self, acknowledging the negative experiences we encounter and how they can ultimately lead to positive transformations depending on how you react and handle the situation. Some people I really respect and admire, whether I know them personally or not, have those stories in their life where terrible things happened to them and became incredible human beings because of it. Maya Angelou is the first person that comes to mind. She went through incredibly horrific things yet emerged as an extraordinary individual and role model in society. The album reflects this journey of resilience and growth, demonstrating that life isn't always straightforward. By delving into both light and shadow, I want to invite listeners on a deeper exploration of human complexity and the transformative power of adversity.

DG __ So “Alchemy” stands for transformation and creation. In other words, take those negative experiences and transform them into something positive. Did I understand correctly?

mehro __ Yes, we've all faced our share of traumas and adversities, which shape our character based on how we respond to them. The album aims to highlight that these challenges are inevitable in life. The crucial question is: how do we react? Do we allow them to weigh us down, or do we transmute them into something valuable, like turning lead into gold? Ultimately, it’s about embracing the transformative power within ourselves and navigating through life's trials with resilience and positivity.

DG __ Your new song, K3TAMIN, delves into the complex emotions surrounding a gloomy situation. Can you share the personal experiences or inspiration that led to the creation of this track?

mehro __ The song is just a channeled experience. Do you know what channeling is? [David shakes head] No? Let me explain. Channeling, in essence, is allowing something outside of yourself to flow through you. We were in the right mindset and environment, ready to capture the moment when inspiration struck and we just got out of the way and let it happen. As Quincy Jones puts it, “Leave space for God to walk through the room.” This notion transcends individual beliefs, emphasizing the importance of surrendering to the creative process and allowing it to unfold naturally. K3TAMIN is an example of this approach, where we simply allowed the music to manifest, resulting in a track that I'm really proud of.

DG __ So it's like a stream of consciousness?

mehro __ Yes, it's like a stream of consciousness, where sometimes consciousness merges with the subconscious, blurring the boundaries between them.

DG __ Now that you explained it to me, I sense that the song dopamine has a similar theme.

mehro __ You are absolutely right. I would say the process of a lot of my songs has to do with channeling. Both K3TAMIN and dopamine are singles from my new album, Trauma Lullabies, that comes out on May 2nd.

DG __ Oh looking forward to it! Tell me more about Trauma Lullabies.

mehro __ This album is a reflection of acceptance—acceptance that our traumas and shadows are inherent parts of who we are. The more we accept our darkness, the more it can serve us in a positive way. For the creative process, every element, from the artwork to the title and the songs, has unfolded organically, without conscious interference. It's an immersive experience where everything is just happening and I'm not getting in the way. I am so excited to share this journey with the world!

DG __ What about your videos? For example, in the video of K3TAMIN, what was the creative process behind the video, and how do you believe it complements the essence of the song?

mehro __ Have you seen the show House? [David shakes head] How about Once Upon a Time?

DG __ Yes, I watched the entire show.

mehro __ It all started when I met Jennifer Morrison, who is the protagonist in the show. We crossed paths at a poker tournament and started talking. As part of the conversation I shared my music with her and she expressed an interest in being part of my journey. About a week later, we had a meeting, during which she offered her support and together, we directed the video for K3TAMIN. She wanted to bring out aspects of vulnerability and warmth that she saw in me, which she felt were missing from my previous videos.

DG __ Wow! That’s cool. I somehow completely missed that she co-directed the video!

mehro __ Yes! She is great! Jennifer wanted to showcase my light and warmth on screen. The treatment for the video was developed from this perspective. We wanted the video to have depth, open to interpretation, and evoke powerful emotions while also being unexpected. I didn't want the video to be predictable, especially considering the contrast between the ethereal and light sound of the song and its darker lyrical content. It’s a song you can listen to when you're happy, and it's a song you can listen to when you're sad, and it will fulfill what you need. Not every song is capable of doing that.

DG __ What about the visuals? The visuals are rather shocking.

mehro __ The response to the visuals has been quite polarizing, with people either loving it, not understanding it, or hating it. It's really wonderful to see how people react to the video. The human condition is indeed a paradox—simple yet infinitely complicated. It is crystal clear. Treat people with kindness, love yourself, and the world will love you. Sounds simple, no? However, the complexities of individual consciousness can be overwhelming. Often, someone may appear fine on the surface yet be battling inner demons silently. You don't know the voices that are in their head. They could be screaming for help, but they're not saying anything and nobody can hear them. Conversely, that same person could be experiencing profound joy and fulfillment in their life. But unless they tell, you wouldn’t know either. With the visuals, I wanted to deliver something that was unexpected from the song, but also isn't untrue. It's not completely out of left field. You hear the song with that video and it still makes sense. So, the song can be a part of any moment, whether it's driving down a desert road or experiencing a rush of wind. Pairing it with darker visuals creates a duality that stretches the viewer's experience. I love duality. I'm drawn to paradoxes and enjoy surprising those who watch and listen to my music.

DG __ I love the concept of duality in K3TAMIN, the juxtaposition of playful whistling and swinging guitar strums against the backdrop of the serious narrative of the video. What do you hope listeners take away from the emotional depth of your music?

mehro __ I hope listeners take away exactly what they need from my music. Each person is grappling with their own struggles and questions; ultimately, the answers lie within themselves. Just like how the movie Walk the Line resonated deeply with me and provided the inspiration I needed to pursue my dreams. For me, the movie answered the questions that were already within me. What am I going to do with my life? Am I worthy of my dreams? How am I going to spend my time on this version of this body of consciousness in this life? I hope my music can serve a similar purpose for others in their own individual journeys. Whether it's finding clarity, motivation, or solace, I hope my art offers listeners the insights and inspiration they seek.

DG __ Vulnerability is central in your songwriting. So, how does it contribute to the connection with your audience?

mehro __ The human condition is a universal truth. Regardless of language, culture, or background, we all share common experiences and emotions. When an artist authentically expresses vulnerability in their music, it resonates with listeners worldwide because it reflects their own experiences and emotions. It's a connection that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, allowing audiences to relate to the shared human experience. Vulnerability in my music serves a deeper purpose—it's about showing people that they are enough. In my interactions with others, I strive to foster an environment where self-love is encouraged and embraced. If my music and art can contribute to this journey of self-discovery and fulfillment, while also bringing joy to others, then I feel I'm living a life with purpose.

DG__ The song like you're god captures a sense of sensuality. What do you want your listeners to take away from the experience of that particular track? The track feels different, it’s not as dark as the others.

mehro __ It’s just a different kind of darkness. As you said, it's a sensual song. Lots of people have shame with their sensuality and sexuality, with what they prefer, with what they like. I hope that the song inspires people to accept themselves for who they are, for what they love, for what they enjoy, and to express it. It's about accepting oneself fully and expressing desires and preferences in a consensual and healing environment. I want this song to empower individuals to break free from the societal constraints and recognize their worthiness of experiencing pleasure and intimacy.

DG __ I don't even know where to begin. The chains imposed by societal norms, education systems, and rules are deeply ingrained from an early age. It's a struggle to break free from these subconscious roots that have been ingrained in us since childhood. I admire your ability to navigate through it—I find it challenging to address myself. How did you navigate through these societal expectations and find your own path?

mehro __ I realize that no matter what I do, there will always be people who accept and reject me for who I am. So, as long as I'm not causing harm to anyone, I've learned to embrace doing what feels right for me. Living authentically means adhering to my own moral compass, treating others with the kindness and respect I'd want for myself, and communicating honestly. Of course, I have made and will make mistakes, say the wrong things, and at times leave a negative impression. It’s unavoidable, but I strive to treat people with compassion and understanding to the best of my abilities. Part of this journey involves accepting my darker aspects and acknowledging the truths about myself that I was born with. By learning to tame these darker impulses rather than letting them control me, I've come to see the darkness as a friend rather than foe. There's a proverb that goes: “It's better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in war.” This speaks to the importance of accepting and understanding our darker tendencies, as it allows us to navigate life with resilience and preparedness.

DG __ Speaking for myself, I think where I struggle is in grappling with my own darkness. There's this constant internal battle—I want to eradicate it, to banish it from existence. But I know deep down that it's impossible. Despite knowing the truth, there's a persistent desire to shine a light on the darkness, to bathe it in light until it ceases to exist. It's the age-old longing of the human condition—to reject the dark and bask only in the glow of light. I understand how futile it is because the world needs to stay in balance. I understand it intellectually. Yet, there's this innate human tendency to yearn for a reality where only light exists. This internal conflict often leads to feelings of depression and dissatisfaction as the reality of life's complexities clashes with our idealized visions.

mehro __ Think of it like cooking. Do you cook? I enjoy cooking. Well, in cooking, it's all about balancing flavors. If everything is too sweet, too salty, or too bitter, the dish doesn’t taste good. Life operates in a similar way. Our experiences, like ingredients, counterbalance each other.

DG __ But it’s human nature to seek perfection.

mehro __ And it's always in those moments when we let go that it is achieved.

DG __ You nailed it!

mehro __ That’s the irony of life. It’s the pursuit.

DG __ But the more we obsess about it, the less we reach the goal of the pursuit until we release our grip and let it go, and all of a sudden, things become clearer. We are our worst enemies, aren’t we?

mehro __ We are our worst enemies and greatest heroes at the same time.

Soundtrack: perfume

Photography and Video Kevin Sinclair, Fashion Editor Oretta Corbelli, Grooming Morgan Grimes (The Rex Agency), Interview & Production David Gargiulo, Talent mehro (2B Entertainment)