Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Marcaux

Long Island’s Marcaux is one to watch in 2020. The emerging pop artist, who’s not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, is channeling his past struggles and experiences into his songwriting. The result is a triumphant story of a young man who has not only overcome obstacles but is also inspiring others to do the same. Pop Culturalist caught up with Marcaux to chat about his career, his new single, and upcoming EP.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Marcaux: My mom worked in the music industry. So I always say that I didn’t have a choice. [laughs] She was also a musician. Growing up, there was always music playing around my house—all different types of music, styles, and generations of music. She made me take instrument lessons when I was seven or eight and writing songs for fun. It grew from there.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Marcaux: Honestly, my mom. By the time I was a freshman in high school, I was already taking college-level music theory. In the summers, I would go to colleges to do semesters as a high school student. By high school, I already knew how to play six instruments. She pushed me more than anyone. As far as sound-wise, I’ve always been a big fan of Pharrell. He’s one of my favorite artists. Also, Eminem and singer-songwriters like Justin Nozuka and John Mayer, stuff like that.

PC: How has your creative process changed throughout the years?
Marcaux: Originally, I was just a rapper. I was only making rap beats and rapping, rapping, rapping. I was in choir growing up. I realized I wanted to incorporate singing and all the instruments that I learned. I decided to take more of a pop route. I wanted to do melodies, instruments, and harmonies. So it changed as far as coming into myself and what I felt comfortable with and being real.

PC: Tell us about “Cedar Creek” and what inspired the song.
Marcaux: Cedar Creek is the park that I used to hang out in. When I was little, there were these hills that we would sled on. As I got older, I would do other things. [laughs] The song talks about growing up and becoming an adult and the struggles that I faced. I had a lot of internal problems that I talk about on the record. Whenever I start to experience those feelings again, I talk about going back to Cedar Creek and going back to the days where things were less complicated. That’s really what the song is about. It’s nostalgic.

PC: Is there a different weight to a song like “Cedar Creek” when you are tackling heavy topics like your personal struggles?
Marcaux: I was in the car and heard Macy Gray’s “Foreign Car” and I got inspired to write the lyrics. I was writing in the car, and the beat came later. I was producing the beat and realized that the lyrics fit over the beat perfectly. It brought together the two emotions. I actually cried multiple times during the writing process: while I was showing it to my manager and engineer and during the first take of the recording process. It was a hard song to write and listen to.

PC: Of all the music that you’ve released, if you had to choose one song that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Marcaux: That’s so hard! My two new singles, “Harm” and “Cedar Creek,” are so different. They’re polar opposites, but they both encompass me. I’m not always sad, but I’m also not always down to party like “Harm” says. It’s a lot of everything. I’m a human being. We’re all human beings. We all have different emotions.

PC: Speaking of “Harm,” that single really blew up. It has over 400,000 streams on Spotify. Does that bring any added pressure for future releases?
Marcaux: A ton! [laughs] I have anxiety as it is. I’m not used to songs blowing up like that. The idea of having to top it gives me a ton of anxiety, but that’s why I have my team. They talk me off the ledge a million times a day. It felt great when it happened though. I’m very blessed.

PC: You have a new EP coming out. What can you tell us about that?
Marcaux: Cedar Creek is the name of the EP. The song, “Cedar Creek,” encompasses what the EP is about. It’s me discussing things about my past but from the perspective of who I am today. I’m writing from the perspective of overcoming my internal struggles. There’s a song called “Man vs. Self” that’s about anxiety. There’s a song called “Shine” that’s about substance abuse. There’s a song, “Thank You,” that’s about a breakup. “Myspace” is about love. It’s all the things that I went through as a kid and how I feel about them now.

PC: Is there a release date?
Marcaux: We’ll probably release them as singles, so there isn’t a release date. We’ll do them as a roll-out.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Marcaux: I really like choir music. Eric Whitacre is a choir conductor. I have all his albums on my phone.

PC: First album you bought?
Marcaux: Ludacris’ Chicken-n-Beer

PC: First concert you attended?
Marcaux: Aaron Carter

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Marcaux: Justin Nozuka’s Holly! I still can’t listen to that album without shedding a tear.

PC: Someone you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Marcaux: Pharrell

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Marcaux: Jones Beach Theater

PC: A must-have on the road?
Marcaux: My laptop because I still work even if I’m on the road.

To keep up with Marcaux, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Cedar Creek” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.