Images: @seanenmiddleton
Manchester based alt pop act FEAR OF MARKO releases his new ‘ Teeth’ Out’ today
For someone that is yet to discover ‘FEAR OF MARKO ’ in 5 words how would you describe yourself.
Turbulent, Chaotic, Too Much Eyeliner
- What inspired you as an artist?
I think the internet is one of my biggest inspirations. Growing up I never really felt like I fit in anywhere until I found a community online. I think I initially was using it to escape real life and then it ended up turning into a platform for me to share my music and identity. I remember getting my first facebook account when I was 10 and using it to share a load of concept visuals for these amateur tv scripts me and my friends as the time were writing. I soon realised I could use the internet as a
creative tool and a way to express who I really was, which was something I
was struggling to do in real life at the time. I always get told my music sounds ‘very online’ which makes perfect sense to me as someone who started making music from their bedroom with their
internet friends. I know some artists really try to sound that way but it’s definitely just who I am. - What is your process for preparing to perform live? Do you have any Diva demands? Who’s the Mariah Carey of the group?
I’m usually pretty easy going to be honest. The only thing I can be a diva about is if the sound engineer doesn’t understand the use of autotune live. I know it’s not the norm in a local music scene to use such an untraditional set up, but I’ve played enough shows to know how to translate my sound live.
My live band are all pretty relaxed too. I think we all just love the experiences
we get from playing live. - Where do you feel you fit into the music landscape?
I’ve always been an artist who just wants to write songs and tell stories through my music and visuals. I think originally I saw myself as a concept artist, just because I was so heavily in control of curating my own sound and visuals and always wanted it to build on the story I was trying to tell with the music.
I think since gaining new perspective in 2022 and playing a lot of shows, I definitely feel like to a lot of people I’m something different. Not only sonically speaking but visually too.
Being a queer person of colour who’s also not come from privilege, it’s rare for someone like me to have done so well in the music scene. I mean I’m definitely nowhere near where I want to be yet, but to have gotten this far is massive. - What are your favourite musical genres, and are there any you dislike? I actually listen to anything and everything. People who don’t know me and have just heard my music might think I only listen to rock and metal but I’m a big pop music fan. I’ve been listening to a lot of Techno and 2010’s pop recently but I generally go through phases. I feel like the new music was very inspired by 90’s grunge and alternative, I was listening to a lot of Deftones, Nirvana and Incubus at the time. I do find I get easily influenced by the music I listen to, so while I’m working on a body of work I try not to listen to too much music.
What’s currently in the pipeline for 2024?
A lot more new music. I spent the majority of 2022-23 playing shows and opening for other artists. I’ve got a couple of tracks that I played during that period that I’m hoping to release, as well as some pretty new ones.
I’ve been kind of conceptually drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette for a while. I love the idea of a dark comedy, and initially the new music was very inspired by the idea of relationship’s with harmful things.
My first collection of songs was called ‘Violent Ends’ which kind of explored he sometimes chaotic relationship I have with myself and this second collection is titled ‘Violent Delights’ which is much more about my relationships with other people and things.
What would you say is your greatest strength as an Artist?
A lot more new music. I spent the majority of 2022-23 playing shows and opening for other artists. I’ve got a couple of tracks that I played during that period that I’m hoping to release, as well as some pretty new ones.
I’ve been kind of conceptually drawing inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliette for a while. I love the idea of a dark comedy, and initially the new music was very inspired by the idea of relationships with harmful things.
My first collection of songs was called ‘Violent Ends’ which kind of explored the sometimes chaotic relationship I have with myself and this second collection is titled ‘Violent Delights’ which is much more about my relationships with other people and things.
What would you say is your greatest strength as an Artist?
I think my ability to build a world around my music. I think that’s what keeps people interested in what I’m going to do next.
What can fans expect from your new single ‘ Teeth’ ?
Teeth is like the first glimpse into my new direction. I feel like all the new music lives in the same world. It’s chaotic and dramatic but also humorous at times. It’s all about wanting the worst things in the best way.
What music artiest would you say have influenced your work?
My major influences have always been artists such as David Bowie, Björk, Kate Bush. I’ve just always admired artists that are about more than just the music and create a world around the songs.
Currently the music is very influenced by the sounds of Deftones and 90’s rock and alternative, mixed with some crazy electronic sounds.
Who would you most like to collaborate with artistically?
Grimes would be cool.
What was your worst performance?
I hate to say it but probably the time I fell into the drums at Jonjo Yano’s tour.
It was one of my first shows as FEAR OF MARKO and I had prepared so much but clearly the stage wasn’t big enough lol.
It wasn’t my worst performance but it was by far the most embarrassing thing I’ve done on stage (and I do a lot of embarrassing stuff).
What was the most difficult obstacle you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
Loosing a parent at a young age. Which at the time was horrible and definitely shifted my world massively.
I somehow managed to get through it by just diving head first into being creative.
I kind of look at it now like I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for all the trauma involved in that situation.
What is your creative process when making music. Do you work with others or is there just you?
I love collaborating! I’m always up for writing sessions and working with other people.
The new music is a mix of my work with Sam (Sam Cooper) and Slicky who I met online.
I’ve been pushing myself a lot more to get into writing sessions with other artists because I feel like that’s when the best stuff comes out.
Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
Tough question. I kind of like the idea of having 100’s of songs out and like 2 monthly listeners. Something like that
