Q&A with Marcus – Marcus Blacke

Q&A with Marcus of band Marcus Blacke

Marcus Blacke is well known for his approach to songwriting. Intricately plucked southern style folk guitar weaved within layers of hand crafted storyteller wisdom, sprinkled with the human condition.

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:: What track changed your life ::
The first time I realised music is a powerful thing was when I heard Masters of War by Bob Dylan. It changed the way I viewed musics place and function in society.

:: What is your favourite Album ::
Dirty Three- Live at Meredith.
It almost makes me cry every time I listen to it.
Nick Cave Murder Ballads would come a close second.


:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
Karl.S.Williams he’s a a rarity.

:: Favourite Quote ::
If you don’t become the ocean you’ll be seasick everyday- Leonard Cohen.

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::
Moleskins.

:: When you think of Australia, you think ::
A lucky but also boring country. I don’t mean that disrespectfully. We are just so isolated I love Europe the way all the countries have their unique cultural heritage. When ever I venture away fromAustralia though I always think holy shit we are lucky, but I can’t help being excited by the culture and the history that lurks in places like Europe.

:: Worst thing to happen to music is ::
Commodification, it’s almost like there a bunch of bankers or accountants running the music industry. I just don’t think they have any place saying what is or what is not artisticly credible.

:: Best thing about the current music industry ::
Everyone can record something, not that everybody should, it is a double edged sword really.

:: Biggest influence ::
It would be out of a few artists, but I know that it’s mainly Nick Cave, his way with words is wonderful. But I remember the first time I heard nick Drake play the guitar it killed me I was mesmerised. But I think God above anything.

:: Childhood hero ::
Roald Dahl

:: When you were younger you wanted to be ::
I don’t know I never really figured that out until later. I went through a few phases. I think one of the first times I ever had a vision of what I wanted to be was when I was 5 mum brought me a tape machine. I would listen to tapes and play air guitar and imagine I was playing live.

:: Last album bought ::
Indigo Meadow- Black Angels

:: First album you ever bought ::
Pearl Jam- Ten

:: First concert you went to ::
Ben Harper I think…

:: Last concert you went to ::
Nick Cave… It was impeccable

:: Favourite current band ::
Kurt Vile

:: Favourite drink ::
Primitivo, it is an amazing red wine from Italy, well worth a taste.

:: Favourite book ::
Anton Chekhov- The Cherry Orchard

:: Favourite actor ::
Anthony Hopkins

:: Favourite website ::
No idea probably something boring like eBay.

:: The best boredom buster is ::
Reading, Movie or Sex depending on the company.

:: The best film you ever saw was ::
Melancholia

:: Your ultimate snack is ::
Avocado toast, if it has the right amount of salt.

:: The first thing you do when you wake up is ::
Try to catch some morning sunshine and keep it with me throughout the day. But a lot of the time I find myself hitting snooze.

:: Best piece of advice you’ve received ::
I don’t usually follow advice that well. But probably that everybody has a sanctuary inside of them and you can go there when ever you want.

:: Your biggest aspirations ::
One day just help the world a bit in my own little way I guess. Hopefully I write a few songs in my time that help get people through.

:: Best/worst gift you’ve ever given/received ::
When I received my D28 Martin I don’t know what I would do without it.

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