A Chat with Virginia Marcs (17.09.22)
Blending elements of old-school soul with contemporary indie-folk and pop, US-based Virginia Marcs creates an obscure sound that is uniquely her own. We speak with the singer-songwriter about her new single ‘This Time’, music videos, music inspiration, and future plans.
OSR: Cliche, I know, but what drew you to music?
Marcs: As a kid, I wanted to grow up and be Madonna. She was so compelling and rebellious. Then I saw The Little Mermaid and that was it – I had to sing. As I grew up, music became more about relating my own story to that of others. I didn’t see myself reflected in TV or movies, but I could find solace, companionship, relief, and ecstasy in music. Whether a ballad or EDM, a concerto, or a Rage Against the Machine, I felt moved by and connected to music more than anything else.
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Marcs: I love to create. I was writing, singing, and making up little song pieces long before I could play the guitar, but I could never get it all to fit together. Once I started playing, the songs poured out. There’s something intangible, inexplicable that passes through me. Like, energy, or a surge of empathy, kind of? If I surrender to it, out comes a melody, a lyric. But I’ve noticed when I don’t make space for that to happen for a long time, I start to feel like I’m disappearing – like I am less myself. So making music is, and in many ways always has been, compulsory. Then, sharing music connects me to others. It feels like I’m contributing something to the collective of all humanity.
OSR: What can you tell us about your single ‘This Time’? What inspired the track?
Marcs: ‘This Time’ started with just that opening, punchy, two-chord waltz. I just fell into a kind of trance with it, back and forth, until the words started coalescing. The song was written almost entirely that first night, all but the “I don’t have to smile for you” section, which I added when I recorded the demo.
The lyrics are autobiographical. I used to go out every night and you can start to feel like that life is reality. But it isn’t. I don’t need to be surrounded by a room full of strangers anymore, it’s exhausting. And the connections made in bars often don’t last. Friends, lovers, whatever. So many people are there because they need something, and then they drink until they’re brave enough to ask for or take it. This song thumbs its nose at all of that. It’s irreverent and sarcastic. It’s also got an eyebrow raised the expectations around gender. But in the end, it’s like, nah, I don’t need any of that mess. Now is my time. My heart, body, mind, energy, time, care, sensuality, money … it all belongs to me. This time, I’m mine.
OSR: Did you face any challenges when making ‘This Time’?
Marcs: My producer and I laid down vocal scratch tracks and basic instrumentals then mapped out production in March of 2020. I went on a trip to England, planning to reconvene for the vocals in a couple of months. We all know what happened next. This project, much like that trip, got put on hold indefinitely. My producer, Katie Buchanan, pushed me to finish though. She sent me tracks and walked me through the best way to use my gear to record the main and background vocals. By 2021, we finally had a complete EP.
OSR: You also have a video for ‘This Time’. What can you tell us about it?
Marcs: My best friend, ride or die, and collaborator since college Alexander Hammer and I had several conversations about this video starting back in 2019. We started with a lot of big creative ideas but ultimately landed on this one-take vibe, just full-on in my face so the watcher can’t look away. I thought I should look as though I might be naked, with a blue cool wash to emphasise my exposure, my vulnerability. And then, Alex being Alex, he was able to coax a real performance out of me.
OSR: What was the most exciting and least exciting aspect of filming the video?
Marcs: The most exciting part was reviewing the takes and seeing our vision come together! The less fun part was the insecurity of being so exposed and also, I have to admit, the wind in my face took me a while to get used to… my hair doesn’t just blow like that on its own!
OSR: If you had to describe your music in one word, what would that word be?
Marcs: Real. I never stretch the truth for the sake of a good line.
OSR: If you could listen to only one song on repeat for the rest of your life (not necessarily your own), which song would it be?
Marcs: I don’t know how I could manage this. I’d just sing other songs to myself – though it wouldn’t be the same. But, playing along, the song that comes to mind right now is ‘Mushaboom’ by Feist. It always makes me feel kind of peaceful and happy.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Marcs: I hope it brings people hope and a feeling of solidarity. I spent a large majority of my life depressed and anxious and not feeling good enough. I experienced my share of trauma and allowed it to shape my existence. I was fortunate enough to have love enter my life in such a powerful torrent, both externally and internally, back around 2017. I was truly and finally able to forge a new path through love and music. I know I said that Feist song before, but the majority of what I listen to is sad or moody songs, and that’s because they make me feel less alone. ‘Let it Die’ by Feist (from that same record) is a great example. Who hasn’t experienced wrecking ball heartache? You listen to that song and you’re just like “yeah, she gets it” and you feel less like a pathetic alien.
OSR: Do you have future plans as a musician?
Marcs: More than I’ll probably have time for in this life. There is so much I want and plan to do! First I will finish releasing this EP, Reckoning. Then I have a couple of singles planned and an acoustic live album. Beyond that, I have wishes more than plans, haha! I want to get back to touring and tour through other parts of the world. I’d love to open for, like, Florence and the Machine. And cowrite a song with Amanda Palmer. I want to play piano more on my songs and go on songwriting retreats and learn drums and … well, you get the picture. I want to do it all.
Many thanks to Virginia Marcs for speaking with us. For more from Virginia Marcs check out her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
