Marshy Handles Some Light Business
New York shoegaze outfit Marshy talk about their debut EP "Light Business"
Marshy was actually named after Max’s horse in a video game, who we love and cherish, but we’ve evolved our Marshy lore to reflect some of the Northeastern nature that we grew up with given we lived in the tri-state area before moving to the city.
Mustard has observed that nature surrounds us. Nature is a delicate ecosystem that provides humans with many essential things important to their survival. Some humans lack this knowledge and decide to replace beautiful landscapes with a Dunkin Donuts location that, in time, will not serve hot beverages past 9 PM. As
of New Means recently remarked: “the conviennt options are, increasingly, false solutions which reinfornce the broader system that steals our time and drains our wallets.” This nature of conveience is one that has altered both physical and social enviroments for humans.Speaking of enviroment, Marshy, an independent shoegaze band out of New York City is inspired by their own Northeastern nature. While you may assume that their band name is inspired by the marshy areas of the Northeast it is in honor of bandmember Emma’s horse from best-selling video Zelda’s Breath of the Wild.
Like the world within Breath of the Wild Marshy’s music is complex and interesting. In our interview below you will get an opportunity to learn more about Marshy. We had the pleasure of discussing their formation, New York City, favors, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have Marshy join them at Music Shelf. How is everyone doing today?
Emma: Thank you so much for having us!
2. Mustard has observed that Marshy refers to something resembling a marsh. Was the band near or within a marsh during its formation? Could you share more about your formation?
Emma: We met each other in NYC. I met Max at a DIY venue in BK and after discovering we are both musicians from Long Island we instantly connected! I heard his drumming on another record and knew I had to try starting a band with him. We recruited Gab and James from a NYC Musicians Wanted listing on Facebook and got incredibly lucky finding both of them.
Marshy was actually named after Max’s horse in a video game, who we love and cherish, but we’ve evolved our Marshy lore to reflect some of the Northeastern nature that we grew up with given we lived in the tri-state area before moving to the city.
Max: Marshy is the name I gave to my horse in Breath of the Wild because he’s all white, like a marshmallow. It’s also indirectly a Homestar Runner reference.
3. They have also observed that Marshy hails from New York City. Would you say that New York is generally marshy?
Max: Not generally, no, but “marshy” is a state of mind.
4. Without disturbing the wildlife, if Marshy could perform in any National Park, which would it be and why?
James: I think Marshy would play Acadia at sunrise. It is my dream to play the country’s earliest rock and roll concert.
5. Who (or what) inspires Marshy?
Max: Sometimes after practice we stop by the Times Square Margaritaville and there’s this little show that happens every hour on the hour, where a medley of Jimmy Buffett songs plays while images of fireworks and fish and whatnot are projected onto the torch of the fake Statue of Liberty. I find that very inspiring. To me that represents freedom.
6. Mustard wonders: what creative elements are necessary in crafting a Marshy song? What is Marshy's creative process?
James: Sometimes one of us will have a full demo prepared, where the song structure and lyrics are fully laid-out. Other times, we just have a couple guitar parts in the same key and we try to figure out the accompanying parts and structure in the room. In either case, we all end up playing parts in our own personal style, which sums to a nice Marshy whole. Kind of like someone with tattoos covering their arm: they may come from different artists, but it still presents with cohesion.
7. One playlist your music can be found on is "NEW SHOEGAZE FROM NEW YORK." Would you say this playlist accurately represents your music? How does it feel to be featured alongside other New York bands?
James: I’ve had that playlist saved for months because of all the amazing bands on it, I didn’t even know we were on it! I feel humbled, there are so many great bands in the city and it’s been a joy to see some of them go on tour and gain national buzz. For us, shoegaze is certainly in the mix of influences, but resembling that sound is probably a consequence of us wanting to make loud and honest music. I’m sure most bands on that playlist would say the same thing, so I’m grateful to be included.
8. Last February Marshy released their debut single "Favor" in which you seek a favor for a friend down. Was the story told in this single inspired by actual events? How does this single help lay the foundation for future Marshy releases?
Gab: Maybe it’s not entirely about true events, but the lyrics probably have some truth to them. The lyrics came together as the parts of the song came together, and I think we’ll see more of that for future Marshy releases. It’s fun to piece together words that convey similar moods and make a story out of them.
9. As a condiment, Mustard wonders, what does it mean to do someone a favor? Is there a specific timeline in which this favor needs to be completed?
James: A favor’s got to be for free, that’s for sure. But that means free of worry, free of debt! The timeline’s got to be immediate. No hanging a favor over someone’s head, no dragging a favor out, not in my book! Sorry Machiavelli.
10. On this single you share that you built a cool machine. Are you able to share what this machine was? How does it operate?
Gab: I have to confess the lyrics here are fictional and I’ve never built a machine before in my life. But if I did, it would be really cool, because it’s impressive to know how to build a machine that actually works.
11. You followed up "Favor" with "Method" which you share that it is best not to touch it. Why is it important for humans not to cut down trees?
Max: As someone who majored in environmental policy at Binghamton University, I have a lot to say on this issue. Basically, it seems like a bad thing to do.
12. Regret is in the method. Mustard wonders if you could elaborate more on this idea?
Gab: If you don’t leave something alone, you might regret it. However I don’t think that applies to the use of condiments – it’s actually the opposite.
13. Mustard would like to congratulate Marshy on the release of your debut EP Light Business. When did you first begin working on this EP? How does it feel to have this EP out into the world?
Emma: Thanks! We started working on it about a year ago, with “Lucked Out” actually written before “Method”. We spent about 2 months recording it at home / DIY in rental studios and then self-produced, mixed, and mastered it.
We’re super proud of it and it’s very gratifying to have published recordings of songs we’ve been playing for a while. For me, it feels like the start of a journey which I’m really excited about.
14. Mustard is a big fan of listening to albums from start to end. Could you share more about how you sequenced "Light Business?"
James: We felt sure on the opening two tracks: The intro to “Line of Best Fit” has a nice fanfare quality, with Gab taking lead vocals for the track. Then I sing a bit more on “Lemon Verbena / Breathe” to shake things up. From there, we decided to go with the next shorter song “2 Birds” and end with the heavier “Lucked Out” to leave listeners with a punch. There’s a nice symmetry about having the longest songs sandwich the album, so that nothing feels extraneous. I hope it makes for an enjoyable listen!
15. On the opening track you share that "you tend to cling on to what happened then." Mustard is curious: what happened then?
Gab: So many things happen (or don’t happen) every day! Which is why I tend to cling to them. So I don’t forget. I’m keeping myself on my toes.
16. Mustard wonders which two birds flew over your head? Does Marshy have a favorite bird?
Max: I always picture the little blue birds from Snow White that help her get dressed. The official Marshy bird is the five-eyed goose.
17. Mustard loves the album art for "Light Business." When were these four photos taken? How do they help represent the stories told on "Light Business?"
Gab: Thank you Mustard. We grabbed stills from a few videos Emma took of a real marsh by her hometown, I believe it was around the same time we officially became Marshy. It worked out unintentionally that there are 4 photos on the EP art and 4 songs on the EP. Maybe you could imagine yourself in those places when you listen to the songs.
18. A human invites their friend to see Marshy perform. What four words best describe your live performances?
Max: Chill guys having fun
Gab: Guitars Bass Drums Singing
Emma: Friends Make Loud Music
James: Thanks everyone for listening
19. What is on the horizon for Marshy?
Emma: We will be promoting and performing the EP at shows in NYC, and hopefully beyond on some weekend tours in the spring and summer! We’re already writing for our next project and hope to keep our foot on the gas of the Marshymobile.
20. Where can readers listen to your music?
We are on Spotify and Bandcamp under “Marshy”!
Mustard’s Music Shelf is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 47 states and 47 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.