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WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS - SPECIAL THANKS WEPLUGGOODMUSIC
British singer-songwriter Marz Fay has bottled the feelings of joy and sorrow into one captivating EP titled 'Melancholy,' in collaboration with the prestigious production company BMG. This rollercoaster of emotions transcends into melancholic lyricism mixed with upbeat melodies, creating the perfect metaphor for life's highs and lows. Fay creates a sanctuary within her music, reminding us that we are not alone in this chaotic world.
F Word caught up with this rising star to discuss the making of the EP, from celebrating some amazing accolades to the struggles she's faced as a queer, female artist, and why she got in trouble with her favourite "f" word.
Maisie Daniels: Hey Marz, welcome to F Word mag! How’s your week been going so far?
Marz Fay: My week has been great! I've just finished my degree, so it's been nice to have a bit more freedom.
MD: Music, radio, acting - you are doing it all! Would you say radio and acting have fed into your success as a musician?
MF: Absolutely, they all feed into one another as creative outlets. Being part of film and TV sets has definitely equipped me to create music for films—something I might not have discovered if I didn't love acting. Radio, on the other hand, has allowed me to network with amazing individuals. In fact, I was able to create an entire collaborative EP with artists I interviewed on the radio before my current project.
MD: Moving onto your new six-track EP “Melancholy” has dropped and it’s a beautiful body of work. Can you talk us through your collaboration with BMG and the process of creating the EP?
MF: This is my second project in collaboration with BMG. I first connected with them at 17 through a community charity project at a local college. I had been making music at home on Garageband, and they loved what I was creating! Like my first project, I wrote most of the songs at home, which allowed me to write authentically without any external influences. Once the songs were written, I brought them to the two producers who work for BMG. They helped develop the instrumentals and brought the songs to life. Working with BMG has been an amazing journey, allowing me to stay true to my vision while benefiting from incredible opportunities, like having my song featured on Love Island.
MD: It’s a cinematic body of work that transports you on a journey. If this EP were the soundtrack to a film, what would the storyline be?
MF: Great question! The storyline would revolve around a girl who has a hard time opening up to people. She meets another girl and starts to fall in love, but her trust issues make it difficult for her to fully commit. Over time, she begins to break down her walls, realising she can't live without her love. However, after finally opening up, she gets cheated on and betrayed, which was her worst fear all along. The central theme would be whether love and vulnerability are worth the pain and risk.
MD: What made you specifically want to explore the themes of joy and sorrow in “Melancholy”?
MF: I wanted to explore these themes because they reflect my reality. I experience both dark and happy days, and I'm very in touch with my emotions, making life feel like an emotional rollercoaster. This project became my own sonic rollercoaster, capturing the ups and downs of my emotional journey.
MD: You employ vulnerable and sad lyrics, mixed with upbeat melodies. Was this intentional?
MF: Absolutely. I love the contrast between the two because it mirrors real life. Even when things feel tough, there are still moments of light. By mixing vulnerable and sad lyrics with upbeat melodies, I wanted to capture that bittersweet feeling and make the music relatable. It’s my way of saying that it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions, and hopefully it makes the music more relatable, allowing listeners to find their own connections and interpretations within the songs.
MD: You reflect and dig deep, being very honest with yourself, particularly in "Selfish", which isn’t an easy thing to do. Did you find this at all healing? And did writing this track come easy for you?
MF: You're absolutely right. Writing "Selfish" was a deeply introspective process for me. Growing up, I kept a diary where I poured out my thoughts and emotions, so being honest in my writing feels natural. It's therapeutic, really. It helps me untangle my thoughts and emotions, and having a song to listen to when I'm feeling overwhelmed is like having a friend who understands.
MD: The EP feels incredibly thought out, right down to the last three tracks’ capitalisation of the titles. To me, it sounds like you’re singing in capitals; it feels louder.
MF: Yes, absolutely. The decision to capitalise the titles of the last three tracks was intentional. Those songs carry a darker tone and delve into themes that evoke a sense of anger within the lyrics.
MD: Would you say you are a perfectionist?
MF: I definitely fall into that category. I have a clear vision for my work, and seeing it come together in a precise and impactful way brings me so much joy.
MD: How did you feel once the EP was complete? It seems like you’ve put your whole self into this.
MF: Completing the EP was an incredibly fulfilling moment for me. It felt like I had poured my heart and soul into every aspect of the project, from the lyrics to the melodies. There was a sense of relief mixed with excitement, It's a vulnerable feeling to put so much of yourself into your art, but ultimately, it's incredibly rewarding to see it all come together in the end.
MD: Is there a track you are most proud of, and why?
MF: "I Need Somebody" is the one I'm most proud of. It's the way the music grows throughout the song that gets me – starting off gentle and then hitting hard with powerful drums, crashing cymbals and sound effects like car screeches. And the lyrics, they're just so relatable, expressing complicated feelings in a simple way that anyone can understand. But the best part is definitely the bridge before the final chorus kicks in. It's like the heart of the song, pumping it with emotion.
MD: What brings you the most joy to your days lately?
MF: The most joy comes from my family, friends, and girlfriend- I value my relationships highly, they are my greatest escape and keep me excited about life.
MD: What’s bringing you the most melancholy to your days?
MF: I'd say it's mostly been my friends / relationships with people. Dealing with letdowns and arguments can be really tough. But that's the complexity of life and love, right? The same things that can bring us the most pain also have the potential to bring us the most joy.
MD: You were named ‘Female Artist Of The Year’ and ‘Breakthrough Artist Of The Year’ at the Tracks On Tap 2022 Awards. How did that make you feel receiving such accolades?
MF: It was amazing to feel my hard work start to pay off. It was an award that was voted for by the community which was even more special, as it meant I had the community supporting me and believing in my music.
MD: Are there any struggles that you face as a queer, female artist, and do you have any specific examples?
MF: At times, it can be tough to gain acceptance in certain London settings. For instance, some performance events may not be as receptive to the emotional and queer themes in my lyrics. However, I refuse to let these obstacles hinder my path. I believe that facing struggles is an essential part of the journey, and I'm willing to navigate through them to reach my goals.
MD: As a born South Londoner. Can you complete the sentence…
MF: London would be better with... a bit more sunshine and a beach
MF: London would be better without... insane food prices when eating out
MD: Is there anything coming up our readers should know about?
MF: I am going to be dropping music on a regular basis in 2024! I have a festival performance on the 25th May in Leicester, called the 2FunkyArts Festival and many more exciting things to come. Follow my instagram @marz.fay to keep updated.
MD: It wouldn’t be an F Word interview without asking: what’s your favourite F-word?
MF: Funny story. In nursery we were given a letter a day and had to put our hands up to say words beginning with that letter. It came to the day of letter F, I put my hand up and said 'F*ck', I got into a lot of trouble that day. I guess it shows how being unfiltered has always been in my nature lol.
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