MARVELL-OUS
Marvell are a band that is engaging, funny and passionate, and if you haven’t given the Sydney rockers a listen you need to.. it’s refreshing. Their journey so far is a sad but determined one with one of their mates and former band members battling cancer, they have used the struggle to inspire others and show their support to all going through the same fight. Just before the holidays we got the chance to ask the Marvell Boys a few questions about their song ‘Needle’ and the ‘Comfort is King’ EP, the band’s history and how a Patrick Swayzee pillow can make or break a tour.
“We are to current music as an icy cold schooner is to a slog of a day at work. Refreshing.”
For those that haven’t heard your music before , how would you describe Marvell's sound?
We are to current music as an icy cold schooner is to a slog of a day at work. Refreshing.
Think Australia’s answer to The National meets Kings of Leon. Just good, honest music.
Tell us about your new song, Needle?
Needle was written about our founding member and ex-drummer BJ’s battle with cancer. As the lyric in the chorus suggests, it’s just about saying ‘do what you have to’, whatever you have to do, to make it through.
What does the song mean to you?
It was an exercise in empathy for us, just trying to imagine ourselves in our mates shoes and feel what he was feeling. Obviously we can never know that pain and that despair but we wanted to try and share that difficult time with BJ, so ultimately yeah it means a lot, it was a difficult time and we’re so glad he is still with us and thriving.
Who came up with the concept for the video? Any memorable moments during the making of it?
Brae Fisher came up with the concept of the clip after we asked if he’d be interested in directing. Luckily, he was very interested, and his idea for the music video had this amazing way of portraying an ‘invisible’ enemy, kinda like how BJ went through his cancer battle.
For Brae’s directorial debut, it turned out amazing, but wouldn’t have been close to possible without an outstanding crew and talent! We are very lucky.
Your new EP, Comfort is King came out on December 9th, what can fans expect from the new release?
It’s out wherever you go for your music! We didn’t design too much of the record and it came out more refined and may have some surprising turns stylistically but it’s more of us as a unified whole than anything we’ve ever done. Still guitars, stories, light and shade but a bit more polished and a bit more of our rock’n’roll roots.
Comfort Is King cover art
Are there plans to tour for the album?
We are planning a tour starting Feb 2022, doing East Coast Australia but adding shows along the way!
How did Marvell come together as a band?
Brothers Max and Tom grew up singing and playing music together, and decided to record an EP in around 2015. They needed a band who could do the songs they had recorded justice, so enlisted Jesse Gaupset on lead guitar, Harry Frank on bass and BJ Leef on drums. At the same time, Theo and Dyl were playing in another rock band on the Northern Beaches, but it was fading a bit.
After BJ got diagnosed with cancer and decided to take a step back to look after his health and new family, Max asked Theo to join as MARVELL’s drummer. It was around this time that Harry wasn’t vibing it, so he quit. After about a million texts and annoying Instagram DM’s from Dyl asking if he could join in Harry’s place, Max asked Dyl to play bass.
“Live music is ultimately our defining feature as a band and performing is what all of us NEED to do”
What's your Favourite thing about touring and being on the road?
PLAYING SHOWS! Live music is ultimately our defining feature as a band and performing is what all of us NEED to do, so playing gigs is the best part. That, and making questionable requests like “print a picture of Patrick Swayzee and put it on the pillow” to the hotel management.
What's the worst part about touring and being on the road?
When the hotel doesn’t print a picture of Patrick Swayzee and put it on the pillow.
Does the band play a part in the production side of your music?
Band’s can’t produce their own music, everyone knows that!
Jan from Red Moon Studios has been our producer for the last 3 releases and will be for the next one too. He’s a genius.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Paul Kelly, Paul Simon, Bernard Fanning, Haley Mary, Tom Petty, Kings of Leon, Noel and Liam Gallagher
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
Our first gig as a band was at the Red Rattler in Marrickville, it wasn’t a flop but it was an eclectic mix of bands on that night and we were very new. We even poked our heads in on Art vs. Science having a bit of after hours fun in the warehouse next door…
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
There was a night that we played at Mona Vale Parkhouse, one of our home venues, and we packed the whole place out! There was a line around the block of people trying to get in and it was just the most amazing feeling, the energy from before we even got on through to the whole show was just electrifying. It was just a small reaffirmation of why we love doing this shit and to have our whole community turnout was just the icing on the cake.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Lachie, our manager, gets some serious shit done, and puts up with some serious shit from us. Love ya, Lach.
Also Vienna, our booking agent does so much behind the scenes to make shows happen smoothly. She's a wizard and an amazing part of the team! Onya, V!
What's next for you? What can fans expect from Marvell in 2022?
Not saying much, but it starts with DEBUT and ends with ALBUM.
MARVELL Tour Dates
THU 10 FEB | SOL BAR, MAROOCHYDOORE QLD | 18+ | TICKETED
FRI 11 FEB | GREASER, BRISBANE QLD | 18+ | FREE ENTRY
FRI 25 FEB | THE VANGUARD, SYDNEY NSW | 18+ | TICKETED
SUN 3 MAR | NORTH WOLLONGONG HOTEL, WOLLONGONG NSW | 18+ | FREE ENTRY
SAT 26 MAR | NARRABEEN RSL, NORTHERN BEACHES NSW | 18+ | TICKETED
Interview by Michelle Symes
January 2022