Manchester based artist Fear of Marko allows us into their world to learn more about his music, creative process, and playing Reading Festival this summer.
How was Fear of Marko formed, and where did the name come from?
Fear of Marko came about after several years of me writing and releasing creative projects online. Nearly all my favourite artists had stage names growing up and I always knew I needed one but I think I was just so eager to get stuff out into the world that it took me a while to land on one. I liked the idea of the name being more of a concept. I had quite a few different ideas but eventually after coming across an acronym for the word FEAR online and realising how many different meanings and connotations the word can have it felt like the right choice to attach to the name. Not too long ago someone introduced me to the Ian Brown song ‘F.E.A.R’ and I was like “yes! I’ve made the right choice and don’t sound totally weird calling myself this”.
What is your creative process?
My creative process can be very messy. I think being so involved with the visuals, marketing and promotion, I’m constantly working on something. When it comes to the music though I’m definitely trying to lean more into the idea that if it feels like lightning in a bottle I should just go with my gut. I think it’s something I used to do more when I was first starting out but as time has gone on and the industry feels harder to move through I’ve slowed down slightly and I’m not as impulsive. But in my experience the things people connect with the most are often the things that come about naturally and authentically rather than big thought out campaigns that take months of meticulous planning. I’m trying to just write songs that connect with people as much as possible at the moment as well as expand my collaborations.
Your latest single is ‘Mood Ring‘. Could you share a little on the inspiration behind
the track?
I wrote it at a time when I was pretty depressed and anxious with the state of my life and the world around me. I got into a routine where all I would do was go to work, hide in my bedroom, write songs and watch old TV shows and movies from the 00’s on repeat. Occasionally I’d play a gig or do something really exciting as Fear of Marko and it would be my excuse to get amped up and feel excited again. I’d be so good at putting on this front that everything was okay and I was this confident and cool person but the reality is pretty soon after these situations I’d always crash and burn. Somehow I managed to alchemise these feelings and turn them into a song that (to me) sounded like something straight out of one of the 00’s movies I’d been watching. It’s kind of mad that a year after I wrote this song my life feels barely recognisable. Everything is so different. However to this day there’s still so much in there I can relate to.
Your music is a vivid eclectic mix of genres. Do you find it natural to blend all these
influences to create your own unique soundscape?
For me I think it comes pretty naturally. Growing up on the Gen Z cusp where we had access to a lot of music but also still remembering a time before streaming completely took over. I definitely had chance to build my own musical palette before there was so much noise, but also still find myself with influences all over the board. I think being so influenced by nostalgia, when it comes to actually making music, I just know in my head I want it to sound like something people might have heard before but also something completely new and exciting at the same time.
You played Reading and Latitude Festivals this year. How was that experience? Did
you get a chance to see any other sets?
It was definitely a surreal experience. Coming from a working class background, big music festivals were something that seemed out of reach and unattainable. I think the only notable festival I went to growing up was Edinburgh Fringe. So it was strange to have gone from not being able to afford to go to being on the lineup. Lana Del Rey had to be one of the biggest highlights for me. Having been a fan since I was like 14. I also attended Download Festival over the summer in collaboration with Access Creative College and ended up interviewing and meeting so many bands and artists I looked up to while asking them their advice for young people getting into the music industry. It was all super exciting and I was having to pinch myself several times over summer and reminding myself how cool it was that someone like myself was in the position I was. I think the whole experience has inspired me to lean into my authenticity more and made me realise the importance of my voice as someone who is a queer person of colour and working class and getting the opportunity to work in this industry.
Looking forward, what are your plans for the rest of the year and into 2025?
It’s been a goal of mine for a while now to release a lot more music. It’s quite scary being a “new” artist and putting a lot of music out without massive industry support because it’s so easy to be deemed as a failure if you’re not doing a lot of numbers straight off the bat. I’m trying to let go of that mentality now though. I think I’ve progressed enough this year to really go full steam ahead. For the last couple of years it’s been a lot of stopping and starting. But right now I’m thinking about getting this music out in whatever shape or form I can. It’s frustrating knowing all my best music is still not even out yet. All I can say right now is the best is yet to come.
If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find?
I love this question! Probably a four pack of Monster Ultra, an out of date apple and some left over pizza.
