Glasgow-based alt-indie band MANTEL are back with their 2nd single ‘Run Wild Fred’ released Tuesday 15th April.
The rising quintet formed in 2024, with band members made up of Ailsa, Lauren, Owen, Fraser, and Jake. Following on from their debut single ‘Driftwood’ released on 10th January, MANTEL have brought a new sound to the table with their highly anticipated sophomore single ‘Run Wild Fred’.
MANTEL describe ‘Run Wild Fred’ to have a more high-energy, “upbeat and punky” sound compared to ‘Driftwood’ being a more “slow, sombre track”. However, their musical sound and genre is constantly evolving and changing over time, with “each member bringing in different influences”. Notable influences, though, come from artists such as Wolf Alice and the Australian punk-rock band Amyl And The Sniffers.
On the first listen, ‘Run Wild Fred’ instantly hooks you in with a foot-tappingly catchy bass line and sounds of distant tambourines before heading into the first verse, detailing a story of a young woman walking home at night, and that all-too-familiar feeling of thinking you’re being followed. Checking her surroundings, the woman spots a male behind her that was “Looking me up and down from my head to my feet”. The lyricism here, and throughout this track, refers to the unreciprocated feelings and uncomfortable attention felt by many women in society.
When asked about the inspirations that contributed to the songwriting of this track, lead vocalist Ailsa explained: “I wanted the lyrics to embody the anger and frustration that many of us feel when we get this unwanted attention”. The chorus picks up with increased energy and rhythm, through the lyrics: “So will you leave me alone! / I don’t wanna go / You got it all wrong”. You can feel a sense of desperation here, a feeling that mirrors what several women have to experience against men in day-to-day life.
Crafting this tune was a slow yet rewarding process for MANTEL, with the whole process taking around a year and a half. As a rising new band, the alt-indie quintet is still figuring out their sound & ways to work together – this track being only the second one they created as a full band. Special additions to ‘Run Wild Fred’ include recorded footage of whistling and whole group vocals that really adds to the song’s depth.
The incorporation of layered vocals, breathing and spoken words makes this track not just your regular alt-indie track, but one with several dimensions as well as communicating powerful messages through the song’s lyrics. The bridge perpetuates the track’s powerful meaning through the lyrics “Please get out of my head / I’m scared and I’m young and I’m trying to live”. Living in modern society as a woman is hard – and this track perfectly encapsulates the struggles that come with it.
With their debut headline gig approaching on May 2nd at Nice N’ Sleazy, this year is set to be a promising one for MANTEL. You can also catch them live supporting US band Electric Sunrise at the Record Factory on 3rd June, as well as supporting Clay Rings in Manchester on June 7th.
Read the full interview with MANTEL below:
Q1) This is only your 2nd released track on Spotify. How are you all feeling about its release? Is there anything in particular that you feel sets it apart from ‘Driftwood’?
“‘Run Wild Fred’ shows a different more energetic side to Mantel. It gives everyone a bit more of an insight into our sound and inspirations. We have quite a range of songs we have been working on. There’s not one sole song writer of the band and our songs end up evolving over time with each member bringing in different influences.
‘Driftwood’ is a slow, sombre track, whereas ‘Run Wild Fred’ is upbeat and punky. We’ve written a number of folky melodic songs but there’s definitely heavier rock influences, like Wolf Alice and Amyl and the Sniffers, coming into some of our future songs. We’re all very excited to see the response to these different songs”
Q2) ‘Run Wild Fred’ explores crucial themes, including unreciprocated feelings & unwanted male attention – experiences that often resonate with many women. Can you walk me through the inspirations behind this track? Was it based on a real-life situation or more of a general nod to what many women have to go through in society?
“The main inspiration for the track is definitely taken from the past experiences I’ve had (Ailsa, Lead singer), but I didn’t want it to feel like a song that only talked about my personal experiences as a woman. I wanted the lyrics to embody the anger and frustration that many of us feel when we get this unwanted attention. The lyrics “so will you leave me alone!” represent the things that I know I want to say in these situations.
However, women are encouraged not to stand up for themselves to avoid escalation of events. Its frustrating! So, I wanted to give people a voice and give them a space to let it out. These ideas definitely led into the sassy, punky elements of the song and the “Na Na Nas”.”
Q3) This track gradually builds up with emotion & instrumentation, particularly in that final chorus. What was the process of crafting ‘Run Wild Fred’? It’s such a satisfying listen, I’m wondering if creating it felt just as rewarding?
“Getting ‘Run Wild Fred’ to this final version was a slow process. It was the second song we worked on as a band, so it’s been in the works for almost a year and a half. Small tweaks and the development of lyrics happened very gradually as we let the song take shape.
Playing it live also helped us cut out parts and realise the things that the audience responded well too. Finally getting in the recording studio felt like the final piece of the puzzle and with Callum (the producers) influence with ‘group vocals’ of us all speaking, the song really took shape as this fun, energetic piece with a powerful meaning behind it.
We also included audio of us breathing and even a whistle at one point to add an element of uncomfort and realism to the song. I think the strong vocals again play into this power that we want the listener to feel.”
Q4) Can you describe some of the songwriting used? The lyrics “Do I really need a chaperone” and “I’m scared and I’m young I’m trying to live” have stood out to me – what’s the meaning behind them? / How do these lines contribute to the rest of the track’s message?
“The lyrics are intended to be very literal and blunt to sum up how it feels to be a young woman in this society. You’re constantly being told to go out into the world and make the most of your youth, but then by doing that, you’re expected to be careful of walking home at night and not draw too much attention to yourself.
How is that fair? Why is the conversation still about how women should act, when [it] isn’t women who are causing the risk? It again sums up the frustrating female experience in this society.”
