Review Fix Exclusive: MARCELØ DEISS Talks ‘Horses Running’

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter MARCELØ DEISS, who discusses his new work, “Horses Running.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

MARCELØ DEISS: I started taking guitar lessons and my teacher was really into blues. I learnt a lot about B.B King, Clapton, Johnny Winter and all of the greatest guitarists that inspired so many people. That got me into to the whole era of the 60’s and 70’s which I love. My first time recording in a studio, I think I was about 20 or 21. I recorded about 5 songs with a guitar that only had 3 strings. Only the top strings. I think I was just so curious and desperate to find a new sound. I wanted to bring something new to the table. There was a very natural flow in creating the lyrics and melody.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

DEISS: Every song is different but 90% of the time it comes from the melody. That’s my first step when creating a new song. Establishing the melody throughout the whole song. From there I can start putting words to it. I am forever writing things in notebooks or on my cell phone. This way I have always got words that I can play with once I have the structure of the song finalized. It usually stems from those moments when I am discovering something new. I have a few sentimental places that I like to visit from time to time. Traveling and exploring new places, meeting new people, discovering new songs all play a vital role in inspiring me to write and record. I think it’s important to discuss topics about our society and the current problems we face together in the modern world. This to me seems more relevant due to the current situation our society is facing right now.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

DEISS: I love discovering new shit. It usually stems from those moments when I am discovering something new. I have a few sentimental places that I like to visit time to time. Traveling and exploring new places, meeting new people all play a vital role in inspiring me to hit the recording studio.  I’m always searching for new things to be inspired by. What really helped me in the creative process and visualizing the concept for the lyrics of these songs was the work of illustrators like Steve Cutts and John Holcroft. Their work embodies a powerful and scary message about humankind which we can all really relate to as human beings. I became familiar with their work when I was about mid-way through writing the songs. This really helped create a clear vision of what I was trying to achieve. There are a lot of musical influences too. In my playlists I have things like Rafiq Bhatia, Aldous Harding, Ben Harper, Rodrigo Amarante, Sufjan Stevens, Thundercat, Parquet Courts, Secos e Molhados, Cat power, Kevin Morby, Ten Years After.

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

DEISS: I like to think that music is a conversation. Not only with the listeners but with the musicians whilst recording and playing too. It’s a powerful interaction that creates a dialogue which comes straight from the soul. Music binds people together. It’s a great way to understand both human interactions and communication.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

DEISS: Interesting question. I would probably have to say Indie/alternative and alternative rock. My sound tends to vary from track to track. I think in today’s music it’s hard to be selective about one specific genre. You can be interested in a style of music but generally there is so much new stuff to keep track of. In a way it’s great because we literally have access to music from all over the globe at every minute. It’s awesome to find new references when making your own too. To me rock and blues from the 60’s and 70’s has always been my favorite genre and they inspired me so much on these songs, even now I’m discovering different artists and music from that period everyday. That’s the power of the internet. Everything is accessible all the time.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

DEISS: I love the time in the studio. It’s a great time recording and producing the songs. I have had such a great time producing all the new material in the studio over the last year and a half. I felt like it was a very different experience from before. I felt a great sense of freedom because I knew the type of sound I was looking for and the things I wanted to say. Playing live is completely different.  I  am really looking forward to sharing the new music on stage. It allows for more improvisation. The adrenaline rush is unbeatable. Its also interesting to receive a direct response from the crowd.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

DEISS: The lyrics deal with subjects such as greed and social alienation. What really helped me in the creative process and visualizing the concept for the lyrics of these songs was the work of illustrators like Steve Cutts and John Holcroft. Their work embodies a powerful and scary message about humankind which we can all really relate to as human beings. I became familiar with their work when I was about mid-way through writing the songs. This really helped create a clear vision of what I was trying to achieve. There are a lot of musical influences too. In my playlists I have things like Rafiq Bhatia, Aldous Harding, Ben Harper, Rodrigo Amarante, Sufjan Stevens, Thundercat, Parquet Courts, Secos e Molhados, Cat power, Kevin Morby, Ten Years After.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2020?

DEISS: I’m really looking forward to playing gigs as soon as this pandemic passes. I am focused on improving my skills as a musician, trying to connect with as many people as possible and play at festivals.

Review Fix: What’s next?

DEISS: I am excited to share a lot of new material that is due to come out this year. Singles, videos and a couple of EP’s. I’ll be releasing new music and videos in May/June this year.  My band, The Kings in Ely Street will also be releasing a single next month.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?

DEISS: I have always been a huge movie fan. Series too. I have been able to catch up on a lot of movies since the lockdown. In the early days movies used to be the motor for me to create new songs. I would choose one director and try to watch as many of his/her movies. My favorite is Kubrick. I love how his movies change from one to the other in a such a colossal way. Completely different worlds united by his own way of telling a story. In both a strange and good way that made me understand the concept of creating and developing my own style and voice, which is something that can be the link from one project to another. In a way I feel that movies are just like music and albums, it’s great to see the different filmmakers use their styles and voices to talk about different subjects.