Contributing WriterMusic is 4 Lovers sits down with Jack Marlow to discuss creative freedom, career milestones, and why authenticity remains at the heart of everything he releases.
Hey Jack, thanks for joining us! How’s everything been for you lately? It feels like the last year has been pretty non-stop.
Thank you for having me! It’s definitely been a busy year so far, but I cannot complain. I’ve been releasing some of my proudest work and having so much fun playing shows. I couldn’t ask for more.
You’re still only 24, but you’ve already achieved millions of streams and become one of the UK’s most exciting emerging names in house and garage. Has your approach to making music changed as your audience has grown, or do you still trust the same instincts you had when you started?
I like to think I’ve definitely grown as a producer over the past couple of years, but the way I approach music hasn’t changed. I still produce music that I want to hear and that I want to play out in my own sets. I trust my instincts more than ever. At first, as the audience grew larger, I started to feel pressure to make sure I was releasing stuff that people wanted to hear, but you’ve just got to go into making a track without an end goal in mind and let it come to you.
You’ve built a huge following through self-released tracks like ‘Who do u?’ and ‘Pressure FM’. Looking back, did you expect those records to connect with so many people, or has the response surprised you?
Of course, you always hope your tracks are going to connect with people, but nothing prepared me for the way those tracks took off. Seeing people singing the words when I play out these songs is honestly one of the best feelings ever. I am especially proud of ‘Who do u’ as well. To me, I think it perfectly replicates that 90s sound, and I don’t think the track does too much. It serves its purpose, and people love it for that reason.
Your latest single, ‘Burndown’, is out now on Disorder Records. Can you tell us a bit about the track and what you wanted people to feel when they hear it in a club?
This track was a different one for me. I don’t think I have another track in my catalogue similar to it. I love its low-key vibe. It’s the type of song that, when it’s played in a club, people aren’t going to be jumping around and sending it, but it’s not meant to be that. It slowly draws people in rather than hitting them right away; it creates a mood in the club for them to get lost in. I’m really happy with how it turned out, and the reception has been great. I was a bit nervous at first about how my audience would take it, but they all love it.
Earlier this year, you released Charlatan on Phantom Records, and now you’re making your debut on Disorder Records. How have these label releases differed from your previous self-released music, and what have you learned from the process?
Releasing on Disorder and Phantom Records has been a really positive experience. Since all I’ve done before that is self-release, all I’m used to is having full responsibility for a release, but it’s been great to see how labels approach a release and the support they can bring. I still only ever put out music that I wholeheartedly believe in. That won’t change.
Your sound blends house and UK garage really naturally while still feeling fresh. Where do you draw your biggest influences from?
I think the first track I heard in this sound that completely stuck with me and made me want to delve into this genre was George Fitzgerald, ‘Child’. I remember the way I felt the first time I heard that track. If you listen to it, you will completely understand how that song has influenced me. From that song, I just went head first into house and UK Garage. I’ve listened to Disclosure’s Settle countless times. They’re also a ginormous influence for me. I also listen to an unhealthy amount of Mall Grab.
You’ve already played festivals like Boomtown and Mayfield Depot, as well as headline shows at venues like Night Tales Loft. Is there a particular set that stands out as a career highlight so far, and why?
It is genuinely hard to pick because they’ve all been special for a reason. Playing the Concourse Room at Depot Mayfield was a real pinch-me moment for me, as I’ve been going to Warehouse Project for years. I get a real buzz whenever I play in Liverpool too. I recently did a set at Baltic Weekender, and I would say that was the most special one for me. All of my friends were there, my mum, my dad, my cousins. A girl in the crowd even held up her number to my dad! He’s taken, unfortunately.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received throughout your career so far, whether from another artist, a mentor, or through your own experiences?
I’ve been asked this question a few times, and every time I say it’s to always come out of your comfort zone. The reason I think it’s the most important piece of advice is because it’s the hardest. We all know it’s one of the most uncomfortable feelings ever, but the feeling after you accomplish it is unexplainable. It shapes you as a person. It’s a superpower to be able to do things out of your comfort zone. The most rewarding moments in my career so far have come off the back of it. Always do it.
Finally, what’s next for you over the coming months?
I’ve got a very exciting set of releases that are coming out over the next few months. I love them so much, and I’m so happy with the direction I’m going in. I have so many shows to announce, along with a very exciting tour coming soon to a place I have not ventured to yet. I cannot wait for what is to come.
Follow:
Jack Marlow: Instagram – Spotify – Soundcloud
Disorder Records: Instagram – Website – Soundcloud
