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In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, few artists manage to strike a perfect balance between raw emotion and high-energy soundscapes. Marbs is one such creator, crafting music that resonates on both a personal and dancefloor level. From their journey of self-discovery in the studio to the influences that shaped their sonic identity, they share insights into their creative process, the evolution of their tracks, and their vision for the future of electronic music. In this conversation, we explore the inspiration behind their latest work, the challenges of knowing when a track is truly "finished," and the impact of running a label on their artistic growth.
1. Your new EP carries a strong emotional depth. Do you approach music as a form of storytelling?
- Definitely. I had things to say in this ep. I was going through a lot last year with the industry, my career, love life, health, and so many things. Going into the studio around these two tracks I was feeling the dualities of life immensely. That feeling of finding my way to only be derailed by life’s unexpected turns, weathering hard seasons, and finding beauty in the tough times. Storytelling is important to me ~ I want to express myself and give a glimpse at who I am behind the veil, while simultaneously creating things that make people feel something and learn more about me.
2. Tidal Break EP leans into contrasts. How do you see this concept reflected in your personal life?
- When I’m on dance floors I can feel it when the music is made just for dancing and when its made to make me go deeper. I’ve always been very introspective, but I get a massive release from the collective energy of dance floors. This combination drives me to create things that touch both those notes. 9 times out of 10 I try to create things that make you feel something personally while also connecting you with the collective. Sometimes its tricky finding the balance ... but I think my catalog as a whole falls somewhere between these two and as I grow and evolve as an artist its become easier to have introspective elements paired with a driving groove so that it bridges that gap. This reflects my personal life because life is all about duality and that’s the main theme behind this EP.
3. Desert Hearts started as a small gathering and became a movement. What was the turning point for you?
- The community just kept growing uncontrollably and that organically propelled us into a larger festival. It started as 300 of our close friends at an illegal renegade in the Mojave desert as the first official Desert Hearts Campout. The next year it doubled, and again the next year... until we looked around and said “We’re responsible for these people, we need to have the right resources to keep them safe and make this thing a professional production.” At that moment we realized where we were headed and what we wanted to create. It was very organic. We never initially thought “We’re going to make a festival.” We just wanted to play music with our friends with no rules, and then that naturally attracted more and more people which laid the foundation for our community. We’re very blessed and grateful for how organic this whole thing has been.
4. You’ve played at major festivals and intimate venues. How does your approach change depending on the setting?
- This is a good one. Big festivals usually influence me to play higher energy and bigger tracks, while intimate settings tend to lean more immersive and intimate. I think that’s what makes both so special, it allows me and my crew as artists to express ourselves in different ways while staying within the sonic boundaries of what we love. It allows us to express what makes us human in the way that these experiences make us feel ~ bigger crowds is bigger energy, a bigger collective experience ~ where as a small intimate dance floor is like a personal conversation to me, pushing me to get more deep or experimental.
5. If you could collaborate with any artist—past or present—who would it be and why?
- Probably Richie Hawtin. If I had to pick one electronic music producer that has influenced me the most it would be him. From his tech minus days when playing as Richie, to his more minimal techno Plastikman performances that opened my mind to a more exploratory sound ~ he has left an imprint on me that will last forever and to get a more personal glimpse into his mind and process would be a dream.
6. What’s your creative process like? Do you start with a concept or let the music guide you?
- 9 times out of 10 I go into the studio, I focus on my emotions and what’s going on in my life, and then I just start jamming, digging for samples, and playing around until the project feels like it reflects the mindset and state I’m in. Its fun to see what comes of it when you just go with the flow with an overarching intention underneath. For me if I plan to much before creating it never feels right and it’s less fun.
7. What do you hope listeners take away from Tidal Break EP?
- The EP is all about the dualities of life. That feeling of finding our way only to be met with ifs unexpected turns and how we weather our hardest seasons. I hope that listeners feel this and get a deeper glimpse at who I a behind the veil while finding beauty in the turbulence and heaviness that life can bring. The dualities of life are what make this experience so rich, its what makes us human.
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