Okay, I might actually be a stalker now? Or a concerning fan girl? Some might romantically call it manifestation. However creepy or weird, I am very happy. I found Marcus Frame.
So, to refresh your memory, Marcus Frame made an appearance into my life and here began a slight obsession for his sound. Told my friends : yeah, he's a Scottish Loyle Carner. Massive deal for pink ipod mind you. I wrote an article about him, the whole ordeal, wondering who this artist was and what he would do next. He was doing drum n bass, funk and rap and I was into all of it. One night discussing his music, I told my friend I wanted to interview him. And it happened, I found Marcus Frame.
In my clumsy ways, I, of course:
Off to a great start!!
My first impression was that Marcus Frame is more quiet than I thought. The assumption was certainly misplaced, considering his laid-back / observer’s writing, I could have expected it. Maybe I was surprised he was sitting so straight. His voice was instantly recognizable.
A couple things I learnt from this interview: Marcus Frame is aware of his Marcus Frame Spanish doppëlganger (no plans of destitution — yet). I say “like” way too much. He is going to make music under a different secret alias. He used to have a band but his mate got deported from England back to the US after uni (how contemporary). He’s currently making an album, which might include some French. He’s definitely a great artist, and maybe scared of getting old or missing out, so he’s giving us all of it.
“The music's just like a little extension of myself. It's nothing too serious.”
Pink Ipod: What was the first song you’ve ever written? A silly one perhaps?
Marcus Frame: There’s probably many silly songs I’ve written, from a young age. I have played guitar for quite a while, since I was a toddler. I think my first song was an apology for not tidying my room. Based on “Price Tag” by Jessie J.
Unfortunately, I can only give a written description of the masterpiece:
Mommy Mommy Mommy
Can you just forgive me give me give me
I’m only huuuuman
And humans make mistaaaakes
It worked, his mom forgave him.
PI: Obviously this song was the sign you were going to become a great artist. How did you start making music “more seriously”?
MF: I got out of the house, and started making music when I possibly could. I moved out into a west area of town, and tried to socialize and network with a lot of musicians and creatives. Mostly, I’m trying to figure everything out as we speak. I can’t say that I have reached a state I’m completely happy with.
PI: As you just said, you're figuring things out right now. There's a lot of different genres that you've been exploring: rap, spoken word, and more funky music. And then you have a drum and bass song, “Zip”. Is there a genre you prefer so far?
MF: It's funny you say that, because the first track I've ever made and produced was a tech house track. I was into DJing at the time and followed the likes of Michael Beebe and Pawsa. I made a tech house track called “Potluck” under an alias. Ideally I'd like to move back into producing under a different alias again.
PI: What would you produce under that alias?
MF: I would use it so I could just be more myself and make random things like “Zip”. Random beats, different accents, sunglasses — just so not everybody relates all my artwork directly to me.
Here, I got a bit skeptical, I’ll be honest. I get skeptical of all artists who tell me they don’t think about it that much. I understand it though. It just flows through them, it gets ejected.
MF: I'll only write when something's happened to me — heartbreak or just life. If I'm bored or going through something personally, I'll write something down and it falls into a track.
PI: So you write before you compose?
MF: Yeah, write before I compose mostly.
PI: Which came first, writing or musical practice?
MF: Music first. I've always played guitar and bass. Writing came later as I grew up and wanted to look at the world through words.
PI: You said you used to DJ. What kind of tracks were you mixing?
MF: Old school disco house. Kind of techno. Stuff that makes people want to groove and actually dance instead of just standing with a drink.
PI: In terms of musical influences?
MF: Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei, Stevie Wonder, Paul Weller. The Tom Misch kind of sound is something I like to imitate.
PI: Do you make music full-time?
MF: No.
PI: What do you do on the side?
MF: I'm currently in college. Studying, working, making music. I've got a new job in sales as well.
PI: Do you still find time for music?
MF: Yeah. I've made some of my best stuff after closing shifts — four in the morning, bar work. I'm working on a wee album just now.
Hihihihihiiiii that was cool to hear!
PI: What’s the concept for the album?
MF: A few tracks similar to “More Bass”, a few spoken word pieces, then a bridge to the alias. After that there'll be an album based on the alias.
PI: Do you have non-musical inspirations?
MF: I like the James Bond series and Ian Fleming books. I like nature as well — going for walks, looking at trees.
PI: How close do you feel to Scotland as a territory?
MF: I'm from Scotland, born and raised. I love the nature. I'm proud to be Scottish and proud of where I'm from.
I mention I'm from the French Alps and Marcus responds with a great French accent and questions about skiing.
PI: Any dream collaborations?
MF: Tom Misch, Loyle Carner, Kofi Stone, Ezra Collective, Knucks.
PI: Dream collaborations with dead artists?
MF: Elvis, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse.
PI: If you had unlimited funds?
MF: I'd go to a log cabin in Switzerland, make a high-quality video and a well-produced track over six months with lots of different artists.
PI: What kind of music would you make there?
MF: Whatever came naturally. Funk, jazz — depends on who I'm with.
PI: Thank you very much. It was lovely to speak to you.
MF: Thanks, super. Have a lovely evening. À bientôt. Bye bye.
go and listen here
