French-based singer/songwriter Marlene Larsen recently put out her sophomore single ‘I Said I’m Fine’ and it’s a tune that I haven’t been able to get out of my head ever since! I then fell hard for her debut ‘Galore’ and knew that I needed to find out more about this gifted musician.
Thrilled that she agreed to an interview with us, Marlene chats about the success of her debut single, her love for Taylor Swift and Hayley Williams, and some of the biggest challenges she’s faced so far as an artist, please give a big welcome to our friend Marlene Larsen!
Hey Marlene, thanks a lot for chatting with us! I’m so excited to introduce you to our ever-expanding audience! I discovered your music with ‘I Said I’m Fine’ but I know that’s actually your second single. It can obviously be a daunting task for lots of artists to follow up on such a successful debut release. Is this something you thought about when creating ‘I Said I’m Fine’?
Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity, it’s a pleasure to chat with you guys! What a great first question, thank you. I would say: I didn’t think about outdoing my first single ‘Galore’ at all when I wrote ‘I Said I’m Fine’ because I wrote them at the same time and I didn’t know which one would come out first. To be fully transparent, I didn’t even know if they would be released at all. I try to write music as if no one will ever listen to it. It’s a very freeing feeling. It allows me to write and create 100% authentically, for myself first, without outside pressure. I think I have a very naive and selfish approach to songwriting haha. But of course, when the time comes to put out a record, I get so eager and excited to share my music with the world.
Speaking of your exceptionally well-received debut single ‘Galore’, it holds a special place as the first song you chose to make your mark in the music industry. How did you make this decision?
Well first thank you, I’m still in disbelief at all the gushing reviews and the numbers it did, it’s crazy! I feel very grateful for the people who appreciated it, and for my label who did an incredible job at sharing it with the world.
It was pretty obvious to me and to my team that ‘Galore’ would be the first single because it’s a song that is all about daring to become who you were meant to be. Having the courage to shine your brightest light on the world, meaning you will actually be seen…Like plenty of people on this planet, I have biiiiiiig impostor syndrome, and ‘Galore’ truly is me, manifesting the strength to go after my dreams. It’s a perfect introduction to my music and who I am.
I know both tracks will form part of your debut EP which is scheduled to be released on September the 15th. I can’t wait! Do you get nervous around release time?
Yes, I can’t wait either!! I do get kinda nervous. I wonder what will happen when it’s out, where it will take me. It’s both scary and exhilarating.
Who would you put down as some of your biggest musical influences and who would you ultimately credit for helping shape and mould your overall sound?
Well, I always say I have two mothers: Taylor Swift and Hayley Williams. Taylor Swift is a storytelling genius and she moulded my entire generation of songwriters. I got really inspired by her poetry-like lyrics, especially in her record ‘Folklore’. And Hayley Williams is the representation I needed when I was a kid living in the rural south of France. She made me realise you could actually be a girl, and in a rock band. She’s like a beacon in the night for me. To my inner teenager, she represents “the dream”. When I doubt myself, when I’m worn out by this difficult industry, I listen to Paramore. In fact, I saw them live twice, and ugly cried the whole time. Do with that information what you will haha.
About my overall sound, I would say I’m very much inspired by all these amazing female-fronted bands from the ’90s (The Cranberries, The Cardigans, Cocteau Twins…). I love the airy vocals, the harmonies, the slightly saturated guitars, the heavy drums, and the reverb and chorus effects on everything.
What do you love most about being a musician? And on the flip side of that, what would you say have been some of the biggest challenges that you’ve faced so far?
Great question again, thanks! Well, first, I would say: I love music, plain and simple. I am so passionate about music, it’s present in every aspect of my life. I’m just an absolute fan. And that’s the foundation you need to be a professional musician right? Otherwise, it’s too hard of an industry.
And then, what’s the cherry on the cake for me, is that I love people. I’m particularly fascinated by the bond between people. The quality, the thickness and the nature of the bond. And music does have the power to create an amazing and mysterious bond. During a live show of course, but also, a record can colour a part of a lifetime. And to think I could actually do that? With my music? Make new friends every day, through my music? Well, sign me up forever.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far is the sexism in this industry. The majority of decision-makers are men, and it’s a problem. Mediocre men still get signed more easily than women. They find work more easily. Being a woman in the music business is tough and sometimes discouraging. I’ve stopped counting the spanners men have put in my work, but it doesn’t impact me that much today. When a door closes, I always find a window. I’m hella tenacious.
For the record, when I was 17, I played my first show with my first band. After the show, we were eager to have some feedback from professionals that were present that night. One man said to me “Yeah the music’s quite good, the songs are ok, and your voice well… It sounds like a calf being run over by a car, except, at least, the calf stops at some point.” This story is why I’ve cheekily chosen the name Larsen. It means “feedback” in French 😉
When you’re not working on your music, what does a day in the life of Marlene Larsen look like?
A day without working on my music? It never happens! Except when I’m on holiday, of course. Then I just read, swim and eat. But my day-to-day life looks like this: When I’m not touring: I wake up around 8:30 and I pet the cat sitting on my chest (it’s mine, don’t worry). Then spend 30 minutes in bed on my phone, catching up with my friends on social media. I get up and don’t eat breakfast because I’m probably already late for a meeting with my team. Eat a gluten-free brunch (yes it’s sad I know but otherwise I get sick) (also I LOVE brunches). Then in the afternoon, there’s usually a rehearsal or a writing session. And sometimes I go thrift shopping stage outfits (I’m a sucker for colourful vintage shirts atm). Then I cook dinner with my amazing roommates, and we just chat or watch a movie. And then, I might write some more, and record some demos. Writing songs at night is way better than during the day, I don’t know why. And then I go to bed, with my cat who follows me like a dog, probably way too late. When I’m touring: wake up, drive, eat, drive, soundcheck, rest, play the best show ever, meet new people, eat, miss my cat, and sleep. A pretty basic but solid routine.
If you were given the chance to collaborate with one musician or band, who would you choose?
I’d love to work with Paul Thomas Saunders. I’ve listened to his song ‘I’ll come running’ on repeat for years now. He’s amazing at putting “longing” into his songs, it does something to my core. I think he’s a great producer and songwriter, and I would love to make a record with him one day.
Thanks for chatting with us Marlene! We really appreciate it! Aside from your EP, obviously, what more can we expect from you going forward?
You’re very much welcome, thank you for all these great questions! Yes, so the EP will be released on September 15th (it’s also my birthday!). You can expect a new music video for my upcoming single, some pretty great and colourful merch, and funny (possibly cringy to some) videos on TikTok 🙂
