INTERVIEW MONSTRE - ODD MARSHALL : "We I heard an early recording of Neil Young’s —burned—, the singing was imperfect... far from perfect and I though... maybe I can give it a try."
ODD MARSHALL, do you remember him? He was number 5 in one of our latest Top Monstres. Jean-Jacques was very eager for him to answer our questions. Here it is, done!
Taste question: Which artists have influenced you the most, and what examples can you tell us about this influence? Who is the artist you dislike and why will he/she never influence you?
Early on it was Oldies... pre-Beatles rock. We had an old truck that only had an AM radio that only played that kind of music. I had no choice. It was the only station available. But I remember hearing things that perked my interest, like Andy Kim. Or even little lyrical patterns in songs like ‘Book of Love’. Learning without really understanding what’s happening. Some childhood friends tried to rope me into a lip-sync contest for New Kids on the Block and I remember thinking I don’t like this music and I don’t want to learn dance moves. So, somehow, my taste had already been formed. Pearl Jam’s Ten and Nirvana’s Nevermind were early albums. I’m defining a child of grunge. Blind Melon’s two albums are probably the most defining albums in my musical tastes. That and Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged. We I heard an early recording of Neil Young’s —burned—, the singing was imperfect... far from perfect and I though... maybe I can give it a try.
Intellectual question: Which non-musical artist (filmmaker, writer, painter...) played an important role in the way you evolved?
Miranda July. She does whatever she wants and it reveals such a clear individual which is what we’re all chasing. David Lynch’s film Eraserhead was a mindfuck. “Wow,” I remember thinking, “so, we’re just allowed to do anything?”
History question: Can you sum up the life of your career?
I stopped writing music and playing guitar for about 10 years. A car accident inspired me to pick up my guitar again. I released my first album at 44.
Selfish question: Why did you prefer a solo career than being in a band?
Selfish question: Why did you prefer a solo career than being in a band?
I wish I had a band. But that all costs money. I record with a band, so that’s the aspiration.
Buddy question: Who has helped you most in your adventure and without whom you wouldn't have had the same evolution?
It’s different all the time. Everyone you know pushes you in new direction.... A little tidbit of information here and there. We’re all just trying to find our way. You grow from bad experiences. You cherish the good ones.
Spinal Tap question: What's the most stupid thing that's ever happened to you?
There was an acoustic night in Notting Hill, London called Portobello Nights. It was great showcase of up-and-coming songwriters. Three or four songwriters once a month with an audience intent on listening. It inspired me to write more songs and actually play live. Over the course of a year knowing I wanted to play there, I recorded demos and then recorded better demos and then wrote better songs and finally, what I submitted was enough to actually get a gig. It didn’t go well. So it took another six months to get invited back again. I think someone had canceled last minute and they were desperate the next time I got back there. But little did they know, I’d been practicing and tubing around London to every possible open mic. So this time I was ready. It is still a very encouraging memory of the ‘hustle’. ...but I haven’t got to the funny part yet.
That night, after a pleased audience, proud of myself, a guy came up to me as I was packing up. He was a little tipsy—he was drunk, crosseyed. That didn’t bother me. He complimented my set and the songs and mentioned he was a manager. He’d worked with some big Swedish acts had something to do with Robbie Williams. (Big UK pop star.... I’m a frumpy guy who thumps his guitar and can’t really sing—not Robbie Williams.) He pointed across the street and said. “See that blue door? That’s where I live. We should talk. I think you’ve got something.”
This is how people make it, I thought. I remember texting him the next day—he was probably still hung over. He invited me over and I marched over to discuss the launch of my career. I remember petting a giant white Great Pyrenees before knocking on his door. I walked in and motioned to take my shoes off. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, waving into the living room which was covered by a massive white shag carpet covering the room like snow. I remember being out of breath and really hyper and optimistic and feeling cool. And then something changed. It was a smell. Something was off. The heap of dirty dishes in his sink, perhaps. Was it him? Still hungover. I looked down to the door. There was a spot on the carpet. A brown spot. I lifted my gaze and followed a pattern of brown spots dotted all the way back to the door. Spaced as far apart as roughly my strides. I lifted my shoe.
Nike Shox. It wasn’t just a bit of dog shit. It was caked around deep inside the ‘shox’. I almost collapsed. For the next twenty minutes with a roll of paper towel, I pulled mushy clumps of shit out of his Great Pyrenees shag carpet before he told me to forget it. “It’s due for a clean anyway,” he said. Impossible for me to forget obviously. But he definitely forgot about my set the previous night.
That’s not the only reason I stopped pursuing a career in music, but it definitely contributed.
Question Happy Few: What's the biggest benefit you've derived from your career, and can you tell us about it?
I can’t believe I stopped. Songs hit me differently now. When I hear a song, I understand how it’s important for someone. How they put their soul and experience into it. Sometimes a song is just a bit of fun. But sometimes they hit you. Thwack.
Art question: What book, film, record, and current band do you really like?
There’s a book called “My Days of Anger” by James T. Farrell. Check it out. Also, Long Promised Road by Dennis Willson is a pretty great song, not sure what took the algorithm so long to push that my way.
Funny question. What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?
I’ve written a book about it. Stick around... it’s only for true fans.
Camembert question: What's France to you, apart from the land of wine and cheese?
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| Odd Marshall - Studio 05 - Credit Rogers Stevens |
Buddy question: Who has helped you most in your adventure and without whom you wouldn't have had the same evolution?
It’s different all the time. Everyone you know pushes you in new direction.... A little tidbit of information here and there. We’re all just trying to find our way. You grow from bad experiences. You cherish the good ones.
Spinal Tap question: What's the most stupid thing that's ever happened to you?
There was an acoustic night in Notting Hill, London called Portobello Nights. It was great showcase of up-and-coming songwriters. Three or four songwriters once a month with an audience intent on listening. It inspired me to write more songs and actually play live. Over the course of a year knowing I wanted to play there, I recorded demos and then recorded better demos and then wrote better songs and finally, what I submitted was enough to actually get a gig. It didn’t go well. So it took another six months to get invited back again. I think someone had canceled last minute and they were desperate the next time I got back there. But little did they know, I’d been practicing and tubing around London to every possible open mic. So this time I was ready. It is still a very encouraging memory of the ‘hustle’. ...but I haven’t got to the funny part yet.
That night, after a pleased audience, proud of myself, a guy came up to me as I was packing up. He was a little tipsy—he was drunk, crosseyed. That didn’t bother me. He complimented my set and the songs and mentioned he was a manager. He’d worked with some big Swedish acts had something to do with Robbie Williams. (Big UK pop star.... I’m a frumpy guy who thumps his guitar and can’t really sing—not Robbie Williams.) He pointed across the street and said. “See that blue door? That’s where I live. We should talk. I think you’ve got something.”
This is how people make it, I thought. I remember texting him the next day—he was probably still hung over. He invited me over and I marched over to discuss the launch of my career. I remember petting a giant white Great Pyrenees before knocking on his door. I walked in and motioned to take my shoes off. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, waving into the living room which was covered by a massive white shag carpet covering the room like snow. I remember being out of breath and really hyper and optimistic and feeling cool. And then something changed. It was a smell. Something was off. The heap of dirty dishes in his sink, perhaps. Was it him? Still hungover. I looked down to the door. There was a spot on the carpet. A brown spot. I lifted my gaze and followed a pattern of brown spots dotted all the way back to the door. Spaced as far apart as roughly my strides. I lifted my shoe.
Nike Shox. It wasn’t just a bit of dog shit. It was caked around deep inside the ‘shox’. I almost collapsed. For the next twenty minutes with a roll of paper towel, I pulled mushy clumps of shit out of his Great Pyrenees shag carpet before he told me to forget it. “It’s due for a clean anyway,” he said. Impossible for me to forget obviously. But he definitely forgot about my set the previous night.
That’s not the only reason I stopped pursuing a career in music, but it definitely contributed.
Question Happy Few: What's the biggest benefit you've derived from your career, and can you tell us about it?
I can’t believe I stopped. Songs hit me differently now. When I hear a song, I understand how it’s important for someone. How they put their soul and experience into it. Sometimes a song is just a bit of fun. But sometimes they hit you. Thwack.
Art question: What book, film, record, and current band do you really like?
There’s a book called “My Days of Anger” by James T. Farrell. Check it out. Also, Long Promised Road by Dennis Willson is a pretty great song, not sure what took the algorithm so long to push that my way.
Funny question. What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?
I’ve written a book about it. Stick around... it’s only for true fans.
Camembert question: What's France to you, apart from the land of wine and cheese?
I lived in London for 5 years, so travelled to France fairly often. I wish I knew perfect French because French people are understandably bothered by people learning only a few phrases. I loved some long weekends in Nice. Paris, I have a few mysterious weekends that took me to strange places, returning to London with my tail between my legs. Like all cities, they are endless. People, places, history, opportunities. I’ve since cut myself off from civilization. It’s more manageable.
Thank you Odd Marshall
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