House Guest | Marcus Marr

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In anticipation of the imminent release of his much hyped new material, Marcus joined Patricia for a brief aside from his hectic life as one of the most influential and avant-garde electronic artists in the UK.

Marcus' most recent EP Well Alright came out in 2010 and is available both digitally or on vinyl - follow his every move on Soundcloud, Facebook and Twitter.
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Is it true you’re old school mates with Felix Dickinson? When you guys collaborated, we noticed a serious emphasis upon the use of real instruments or at least that raw sound on the track New Galaxy. As you are known for your instrumental prowess, how much of a role does the use of real instruments play in Marcus Marr productions?

I play a bunch of instruments. I play every day. I can’t do much else. As for Felix, I've actually got him to thank for getting me into this kind of music. Years ago he made me a DJ mix of dirty, strange disco which had a huge effect on me. I'd never heard anything like it before. Felix is a legend!

   Marcus Marr - 'Pleasure Moon' (featuring Helena Ward) by New Finger

Were you ever classically trained?

I had some piano lessons. I hated them though - I never practiced. I think I may have driven one of my teachers crazy. He would shake his head slowly and say, quietly at first:  'no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO!'

Now, of course, it’s the usual story - I'm incredibly thankful for them. Even the dreaded scales come in handy. I'm still a baby on the piano though - I'm better on guitar. It’s easier to write if your good at one instrument and a child on the other.

What’s your favourite instrument?

At the moment, my friend's Jupiter 4 synth. Fingers crossed he doesn't ask for it back! I've been really enjoying my DJ’ing lately too. It’s a little bit like performing with an instrument. A similar buzz.

When and how did the transition from classical/acoustic to more electronic type music happen?

When my brother bought an acid house compilation. It had 'Acid Trax' by Phuture on it. That did it.

Phuture - Acid Trax Trax Records digital


What program/equipment are you using to produce tracks which combine the real and electronic?

I use Logic. All my 'real' instruments are wired in to a hardware mixer. That way I don't have to mess around getting stuff connected and can get ideas in to the computer quickly.

We’ve got to ask, at the very end of your track Pleasure Moon, is that your own handiwork on the lovely guitar breakdown?

Yes it is. Glad you like it.

Can we expect any other Marcus Marr special touches in future work – really just a roundabout way of asking if, seeing as you are partial to a little singing, would you ever consider bypassing recruiting a featuring voice and do your own vocals?

Sure. I do like singing so watch this space. Sometimes I write something with another voice in mind, other times I want to sing it myself. Eagle-eared people can hear me somewhere in the background of my 'Tinpong' remix.

   BOTTIN Presents TINPONG - New Religion [Marcus Marr Remix] by Marcus Marr

A lot of people might call you a DJ but what does it mean if one were to see a Marcus Marr (live) show AND what chance does Australia have of witnessing such a spectacle?

I'll be putting together a live thing in due course. I would love to come to Australia one day. I've never been before.

Your track Well Alright sounds like (in the best of ways) a bit of a 60s rock/70s funk infusion – what are your musical roots / what music did you grow up listening to?

At first I liked rock and indie. That's what I grew up. It wasn't until I was a student and  I got into soul. The guy in the room below me was a soul boy. It must have seeped through the floorboards as after a year I suddenly discovered I was getting it.

You’re working under your brand new London based label New Finger – how has it been being a label boss?

I wanted to understand the nuts and bolts of releasing records. It's been enjoyable and educational.

How did your remixes for Shit Robot and Bottin’s project Tinpong happen? Did they approach you?

They did. The Bottin/Tinpong one I chose as it had a vocal. Plus, Bottin was an early supporter of my tune 'Well Alright". The Shit Robot one came through Justin Miller at DFA. He'd been using my song 'Pleasure Moon" to open his DJ sets.

   Shit Robot - Take Em Up [Marcus Marr Remix] by Marcus Marr

As purveyors of music through a blog, we’re interested in how artists at the forefront of a genre find their music. How do you keep informed and up to date?

Record shops, blogs, dj charts, friends, SoundCloud, YouTube

We love your less is more approach to releasing new material – but we can’t hold out any longer, what’s next for you musically?

I'm working hard on new material. A lot of it has already come together. I'm really very excited about it!

Every nation has its sound but at the moment one cannot ignore the pervasive influence Germany is having on electronic music production. With so many artists now producing within this narrow field, UK artists such as yourself and the likes of The Revenge are propagating a sound unique to The Kingdom which is gaining some serious momentum internationally. Is this the Empire striking back?

Ha! I do like the Revenge but I'm not really an "Empire" type of guy. I want to make music I'm happy with and that I get a buzz off.

Being somewhat of a revolutionary yourself what / who do you see as an interesting development in our music today? If you had to put Marcus Marr in a genre what would it be called?

An interesting development? More real musicianship and song writing/arranging e.g. caribou, siriusmo, breakbot etc.. I think I'll leave the genre thing. That's not my job!

and just to close can you name for us:

an all time classic track

Willie Hutch - Brothers gonna work it out. Still can't really get bored of that one.

Willie Hutch - Brothers Gonna Work It Out Digital

and most importantly, what is your drink of choice:

at the moment I like (Polish) Zyviec beer. Only because a sound engineer friend (the amazing Jacek Miłaszewski) taught me how to pronounce the name!

Marr keeps a low profile, but if you look closely, he has a few about. FB Twitter SoundCloud
/w love as always, f & aunt hazel