Interview: Marshall Potts
Interview: Marshall Potts
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
A broken heart got me writing songs at age 12 and led me on this current path. If I wasn’t doing music I would be off grid, raising and growing food and surrounded by animals and family:)
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I like to be outside walking or riding or steering something with an engine through the forest and away from the city
How long has your band been around?
The band is just me so my whole life lol. I've got 2 decades in this game but returned to music full time in 2016/17
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I live an hour outside of Kamloops on 160 acres. Being so remote and away from outside influences keeps me more grounded and less stressed. It helps me connect to the openness I need to be able to write music and lyrics.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
I credit my mum and dad for this one lol. Weirdly I never liked my name as a kid because of teasing like Marshmallow… and just between you and me I was a chubby kid lol. I always thought Marcel was a cooler name but since I dealt with those scars from childhood I embraced my name and it stuck:)
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
Man any show where the connection to the audience is tight. I remember a show in Seattle. I think it was the Fire House or something like that where we played a great show to 8 people and 8 people bought something. It doesn’t matter the size of the show, it's about the connection with the audience I love. Although I find it much easier to pay in front of a bigger audience.
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
I love to play festivals anywhere outside in the open and with other bands.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
I’d love to play with Canadian legends like Bryan Adams, Tom Cochrane, The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, Rush, BTO (insert another dozen bands I will remember after I send this to you:)
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
Don’t believe your press, good or bad. Just focus on your passion and play from the heart. Share your story and be brave.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Have faith in your passion and stay on the path even when it gets hard.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
This changes from time to time, currently it’s Free And Easy because it reflects how we all feel right now and underlines the confidence I have in humanity that when times are tough we always rise to the challenge and come together and that in the end it will all be alright. That we are not alone and we are all connected. We need to be brave and share our story even if it requires a bottle:)
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
I’m hoping that it will be from the new album and not AC/DC songs lol. I’d say until now That’s How It Starts and Iron Crown.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
I like to write stream of consciousness… I need to be in the moment. It’s almost a meditation with a clear mind and no thoughts. All creation is powered by Love… as John Lennon says It’s all we need:). All hate and negativity is powered by fear… I say Fear is the dream stealer.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Heal yourself and you help heal the world around you the ripple effect. It’s our main reason for being here in my opinion:)
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
Well sometimes we argue about where did our bass player go? when traveling but he always shows up on time:). Mostly we don’t argue that music brings us together. I’ve got an amazing band and producer so no complaints there:)
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
The plan is to now go on tour in support of the Storm Album we just released. We have a tour being planned as well in support of The Soldier On program with our friends The Arcana Kings to raise awareness and funds for our Canadian Veterans. We are planning for a late fall tour in the UK/Europe. We will be recording the new album over winter for release in Early 2023. We will follow that with one in 2024 and 2025. After that we will see:)