Love at first sight. Dating apps. Instant chemistry. We often think attraction is something deeply personal, shaped by our own preferences and experiences. But what if there’s another voice quietly influencing those decisions?
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On his latest single, ‘My Genes Are Shouting’, Swiss songwriter MirrorMouth explores the fascinating intersection of pop music and evolutionary biology, inviting listeners to consider how millions of years of evolution may still shape modern romance. With playful lyrics, infectious melodies, and a healthy dose of curiosity, the track asks questions rather than offering conclusions. We caught up with MirrorMouth to discuss the inspiration behind the song, the science that sparked it, and why sometimes the most interesting conversations begin with a simple question.
1. ‘My Genes Are Shouting’ is certainly a title that grabs attention. What sparked the idea behind the song?
The idea began years ago when I read an interview arguing that many differences between people were primarily social constructs. That didn’t convince me. I’m convinced that biology plays a much bigger role in shaping who we are than many public discussions acknowledge. Not because biology explains everything—it doesn’t—but because millions of years of evolution have left their mark on us. That thought stayed with me for years, and eventually became My Genes Are Shouting.
2. Your tagline is, “Behind every swipe, there is also biology.” What do you hope listeners take away from that thought?
I hope it reminds people that human behaviour is usually more complex than we think. We often look for simple explanations, but our behaviour is shaped by biology, culture, personal experiences, and the environment we live in. “Behind every swipe, there is also biology” is simply a reminder that evolution didn’t stop when smartphones were invented. We are all shaped by millions of years of evolution, and understanding ourselves begins by recognising that.
3. The song references concepts from evolutionary biology. What drew you to explore science through pop music?
My background is in economics and finance, where I spent years analysing financial markets and human decision-making. But it was behavioural finance that really connected the dots for me. It showed me that financial markets aren’t driven by logic alone, because people aren’t driven by logic alone. Our decisions are shaped not only by logic, but also by psychology, emotions, and deeply rooted instincts. That naturally led me to explore evolutionary biology, because if we want to understand why we think and behave the way we do, we also have to understand where those instincts came from. Those insights helped me make even better investment decisions—and inspired me to write songs exploring the same ideas.
4. Some listeners may find the themes provocative. Were you hoping to challenge people, or simply encourage conversation?
I don’t write songs to provoke people for the sake of provoking them. I write about ideas that I genuinely believe are worth discussing, even when they go against mainstream thinking. I’m fully aware that this may limit my audience, and of course I’d love my songs to reach as many people as possible. But I’d rather write honest, thought-provoking songs that I truly believe in than simply tell people what they want to hear.
Ultimately, my goal isn’t to divide people, but to encourage honest conversations and help people better understand one another. Men and women are different in many ways, and I believe many of those differences complement one another rather than compete with one another. Together, we’ve achieved extraordinary things throughout human history, and I believe we’ll achieve even more when we better understand and appreciate one another.
5. Your songs often explore topics that aren’t typically found in pop music. What attracts you to writing about ideas rather than personal confession?
I’ve always been curious about how people think and why they do the things they do. Throughout my career, one question kept coming back: “Why?” Whether I was analysing financial markets, observing people from different cultures, or simply reflecting on everyday life, I was always looking for the underlying patterns.
Songwriting gives me the opportunity to distil complex ideas into something simple, memorable, and emotional. There’s something deeply satisfying about taking years of reading, observing, and thinking, and distilling the essence into just a few words. When the line “Behind every swipe, there is also biology” came to me, I knew I’d captured in one sentence an idea I’d been thinking about for years. That’s what I love most about writing songs.
6. If listeners walk away asking themselves one question after hearing ‘My Genes Are Shouting’, what would you hope it is?
I hope they ask themselves, “How much of what I believe is really my own?” We all like to think we’re mostly rational and make our own choices. But I believe our decisions are influenced by biology, culture, personal experiences, and the world around us. The better we understand those influences, the better we understand ourselves—and each other.
7. What MirrorMouth stands for?
MirrorMouth is about turning years of observation into songs that make people think. I don’t hide my opinions—I write about ideas I genuinely believe in. Songwriting gives me the opportunity to share some of the observations and lessons from my years in finance. One lesson I learned is that people often hesitate to express unpopular opinions publicly because they have careers, businesses, or reputations to protect. As an independent artist, I have the freedom to explore those ideas through my music. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, and that’s perfectly okay. My hope isn’t to have the last word, but to start honest conversations.
