Interview: James Marriott
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What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
I started guitar when I was teenager after seeing an ABBA tribute band and wanting to play bass, my Dad told me to learn the guitar first. I'd had lessons in piano prior and was a bit of a theatre kid so did amateur Oliver and Bugsy Malone performances (both title characters). When I was an adult I realised that music was my favourite form of self-expression and the releases only magnified that.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I make comedic content online. I like to engage online with people. It also helps me open up to newer content/ideas. I have a lot of more logic-based hobbies to keep my brain functioning throughout the day creatively, like chess
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I studied at University in London which opened me up to multiple genres, it's a melting pot. I also lived abroad in Spain and Portugal so I've experienced a decent amount of local music there. Flamenco has always intrigued me, but my favourites are Rodrigo y Gabriela (former metal guitarists) so I wouldn't say my taste is too traditional. I'm not scared to pursue any genre in the future, for now I like the feeling that writing rock music gives me
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
It'd be a festival lineup. I'd want Foo Fighters, The Strokes, The 1975, Tame Impala, Royal Blood, Joji, Grimes, Delta Sleep, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Phoebe Bridgers, Idles, Sam Fender, Eden.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
To not drink alcohol as much as I did when I was younger. I think I could've achieved a lot more by now. Also to join musical projects that at the time I rejected.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
Emotionally probably Car Lights, I feel a lot of things whenever I think about it. To play I love Wake Up! and I'm writing some new songs which really get to me. I always like my music the most when I'm still in the process of producing, at that point it's all a figment of my imagination and in that sense, it can only ever be perfect
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
I like to think that it's in the eye of the beholder. I really dislike toxic masculinity and I try to be a male voice that will happily talk about emotional trauma, abandonment and whatever I feel/think. To hide from one's emotions has become an unfortunate trait of "masculinity" and I despise that
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
Live music! I have a band now and we've been rehearsing weekly to get ready for live performances over the next few months. That and I've begun writing on my debut album. I'm hoping it'll be the best thing I've made yet.