Hi Marc. What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I’ve always loved music from an early age, and watched Top of The Pops religiously! But first hearing all the guitar bands of the early 2000’s like The Strokes and Interpol made me think, I could do this.
Introduce us to you and your musical history?
I’ve played in bands since I was 18, including France and Habsburgs, Yellow Creatures, Lunar Bells and Video Spring. This is the first time I’ve ventured on on my own and done a solo project. In my band you’ll find folk singer-songwriter Benedict Hawkin on bass, multi-instrumentalist Simon Clowes on viola and synth, and the talented and creative Josh Dyer on drums.
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
I’ll go for a mix of old and new, but all of these albums I can listen to all from beginning to end without skipping a track:
Designer – Aldous Harding
Oh Death – Goat
Room On Fire – The Strokes
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Hearing Get and Use Me by The Fire Engines steered me on a certain path back in 2009!
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
Slow and steady! It’s just the beginning really. I’m a DIY produced album and EP in since 2020. I’m very excited about my next couple of batches of songs…
I’m seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
I know it’s not always easy, but stand up and look out for each other. That’s what gigs should be about. If you see someone fall to the floor in a mosh pit, you drag them up. If you see someone in a vulnerable situation, step in and make sure they’re OK. If we’re all doing our bit to keep each other safe, maybe we’ll weed out all of the scumbags. No one should feel unsafe at an event that is supposed be about having fun and expressing your true self.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
It feels very difficult as there is a LOT of music out there. On the one hand, socials put potential new fans at your fingertips, but on the other hand, things can sometimes feel so saturated that you’re just never going to get through to people.
One constant for me has always gigs and picking up new fans in real life where you can socially interact and connect with people. You get more gigs from doing gigs and bring a small amount of real fans with you along the way. It may take time, but a small amount of genuine connections in my opinion is better than a large amount of two-second views or impressions.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I’ve recorded a band in a Hairy Bikers kitchen
I live in a windmill
I’ve had a penis drawn on my t-shirt by Johnny Vegas
What’s your thought on Spotify monopoly on the music industry?
I use Spotify a lot because I’ve grown very used to listening to anything anywhere without needing to carry a glovebox full of CD’s. But knowing how little revenue you get from streams, it’s easy to forget about the artist who had to pay for those recordings and instruments used to record them, etc, etc. I don’t there’s any turning back from streaming sites now. We just need to adapt and remember to support artists in different ways, like buying perch, gig tickets, and physical copies of albums if we really like their stuff.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
I used to, but now now I just believe in aliens.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
Not really. I did buy a new acoustic guitar which has become my favourite go-to instrument.
What was the worst experience on stage?
Playing a very dead pub where the sound guy insisted on cranking up the smoke machine so much you literally couldn’t see what you were playing. Followed by a greasy kebab.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about?
I know how to program and operate a metal cutting laser!!!
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
Odd lyrics and song structures hopefully!
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
I have a new single called Kaleidoscope. It’s about meeting someone familiar in a dream, but they have a completely different appearance. Dreams are canny mad.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
For my next batch of songs, I’ve written the bare bones on acoustic guitar in a very traditional singer-songwriter kind of way. But my approach to production is going to be quite different. I want each song to create it’s own sonic world.
What was the recording process like?
Slow! But always fun and meaningful.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Realising that all of the songs I’ve written to this day were just a learning curve to writing what I am writing now.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I don’t think you can. Just sit down and write the next one.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I have a headlining gig on Friday 31st March at Bobiks in Newcastle Upon Tyne. You can buy tickets HERE
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