File next to: Cyndi Lauper, Grimes, tUnE-yArDs
Purveyor of: Earnest electric pop, loop-pedal synth jams

Montreal’s Caila Thompson-Hannant has been crafting sounds as Mozart’s Sister since 2011, and released the incomparable Hello EP in 2013. Songs about relationships (mostly their demise), with dramatic vocal personality (baby sounds included), steamed in emotion (though reticent about optimism). Elena Gritzan caught up with her to talk touring, movement, and power.

The song that shares the name of your project explores feeling underrated and overlooked. Is this something you relate to? Why did you choose it as your moniker?

Yeah, initially taking that name was a way to embody the underdog role and psychologically overcome the restrictions I felt at the time. Now it is my power, a mental turnaround that manifests itself every day.

I’ve read that you were working on recording an LP in the U.K. last year — what was that like? What are you working on now?

I finished a full length about six months ago. So now I'm preparing to release it. There is always a lot to do to give a full-length release a good shot at flight. I've also started touring, which is a real visceral connection with the music. There is rapid growth on tour for me. I learn what works and what direction I want to steer things in. I love it.

When I saw you play last year at CMW, you had added musicians to the stage. What does your live show look like today?

I have experimented with different set-ups. I love playing solo but at a certain point a fuller sound was the only option to me. I now play with a keyboard player who sings back-ups also. I have plans to grow the band though. ;)

At that same show, you invited the audience to dance on stage with you (I did so, it was great!). Is movement important to you when you write music?

Movement is essential. That's one of the best parts of playing to people, you get to see the reaction and have this reflection of your projection in its musical form.

What’s inspiring you right now?

Tour is very inspiring to me. It's like a manifesto is being written silently all the time. Not in words so much as a deepening of passion and drive. It's 100% focus; at the same time it is restrictive as far as how much time you have to actually work on stuff, so there is a pent-up energy which can be very conducive to growth spurts (when you're given the time).

Move on down to the Garrison to catch Mozart’s Sister play at 1AM tonight (Wednesday May 7) for Wavelength and M for Montreal’s “M FOR…” CMW showcase.