I Made It is out now!
Image: Matt Pettigrew
Brisbane/Meanjin singer-songwriter Love, Marco recently dropped his superb new single, I Made It. We caught up with the musician to chat about the release, his sonic exploration, skipping class in high school to then writing songs with his teacher years later and so much more!
Could you tell us a bit about your background in music and what led you to pursuing a career in music?
I always loved playing music when I was a kid. I was in the school choirs in primary school and also did lessons outside of school. It was always a passion of mine and it was something that I knew I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. I would skip class to go make songs and later actually I ended up working with one of my teachers, Tom Eggert, with whom I made some of my very first songs that I ever put out.
Your new single I Made It is all about those days sneaking out of the house and hitting the road. What prompted the conceptual exploration of I Made It?
Basically that. I have an obsession with cars or anything automotive, so whenever I’m behind the wheel I always feel safe and comfortable. Especially when the windows are down and the music is on full blast. I wanted to encapsulate the feeling of leaving behind whatever issues are going on in your world and to just focus on driving and moving in a direction you might not know the destination of.
The track exists within a carefree pop realm, built atop breezy and warm production. How did you arrive at the sonic exploration on the release?
This release was always about progressing and exploring my sound as an artist. After releasing Motion Sickness back in late 2020, I always wanted to start creating a different sound and to really start progressing down a different path. I feel like by including the acoustic/indie sounds in ‘I made it’ it allows me to hint back to the music I’ve previously released, but also allow me to grow in the more pop direction with other production/songwriting techniques.
What’s one line from the song you find at times can be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
"Mum and dad would kill me if they heard". This line is always one of my favourites as it’s the main line in the record that makes my mum smile more than anything. Whenever that line hits in the track, I think about just how much it makes my mum smile.
If I Made It was a piece of pre-existing visual art, which artwork would it be?
I think the best way I could describe ‘I made it’ would be through a photograph. I think utilising a low shutter speed to create a blurry image whilst driving would be how I would portray the track. Something that has to do with a journey, yet you don’t know what it is that you’re driving towards. All that is familiar is the steering wheel, the dash and the car… everything else is a blur.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process when writing and recording?
I always tend to start my tracks with chords, then I move onto melodies, then to lyrics. Once I get a rough idea of where everything will sit, I’ll follow that by recording everything in. If need be I’ll go through and move bits around if it’s needed, just to see if certain sections would work better in different parts of the song.
I try to keep everything pretty simple when writing and recording the initial track. Then once I have a good foundation I’ll jump into the production and try to flesh that out as much as possible.
You’ve shared that you used to skip school to work on music, and then you ended up collaborating with your music teacher Tom Eggert on some songs in the future. What was that experience like?
Fu*king incredible. Tom is now one of my really good friends, and to look back on the experiences we have shared together these last few years since we first wrote ‘When I Was A Ghost and Running back in high school, I think its such a beautiful and unique relationship we’ve built these last few years. I love that guy.
Australia has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite Aussie acts and why?
MAY-A is always a go-to for me. She is so unique and has such a solid grasp on who she is and the music she creates.
HANNI is also another fav of mine. Not only is she one of my good friends, but she is also one of the most talented yet down to earth, vibrant human beings you’ll ever meet. The way she is so humble about her art and creative process and how she treats everybody with the utmost respect is something I truly admire in her as a person.
What can we expect from you for the rest of 2021, leading into 2022?
A LOT of new music. There is sooooooo much coming in these next couple of months and I’m genuinely so excited for people to hear this next chapter in my project. It;s something truly special, and it’s something I’m so proud to share with the world.
Do you have any live show plans for the near future? Will fans be able to catch you on the road?
Definitely!!! I’m currently rehearsing for some live shows for the top of next year… so definitely keep an eye out for that. They’re gonna pop off ;)
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Jeremy Zucker, Charlie Puth and John Bellion.
Dream collaboration?
Adele
Album that has had the most impact on you?
The Human Condition - Jon Bellion
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Chill, Silky, Bangers
Best song of 2021 so far?
For Tonight - Giveon
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Cars 1, 2 OR 3
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Hannah Montana
What was the first song you loved to sing?
Singing My Song - Christina Aguilera
A song you would love to cover on tour?
You Were Good To Me - Jeremy Zucker
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
SKYVIEW - Aj Mitchell
First concert you went to?
ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Best concert you have been to?
Jingle Ball 2019
First album you ever bought?
Adele 19
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
Spice Girl… I’ve got some cake so I think I would be a great A$$et to the team
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Dumpy Spice
Most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
My first sold out show in 2019
Guilty music pleasure?
Hiphop/Drill
If you could tour with any artist, who would it be?
Jeremy Zucker
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
Last Christmas - Wham!
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Adele or Drake FOR SURE.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Keep working hard and don’t have a fu*king plan B
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Seeing my mum cry when I sang one of her favourite songs. I realised the impact music has on people, and it made me want to create my own music just to have the same impact on peoples lives.
I Made It is out now!