Etta Marcus - View From The Bridge (EP) + 10 Questions

This impressively intricate 5-track record sees newcomer Etta Marcus navigate moments of vulnerability with her articulate and impressive songwriting. It’s both reflective and considered through-out, and executed in a way that makes it easy to earmark the 20-year-old as one to watch for 2022.

Speaking about the record, Etta shares: “View From The Bridge is a personal and intimate experience that I think expresses universal sentiments which I hope people can relate to. Each song represents a specific time-stamp of loss, regret, and damage. It was important for me that there was a common thread that  held them all together. Although it seems like quite a sonically and emotionally heavy world, there is a desire to strive for something better, a search for hope that flows throughout. I hope that people listening to the EP will come away with a feeling of reconciliation.”

From today’s new release, listeners will discover her EP’s title track ‘View From The Bridge’ is a captivating opener led by stripped-back vocals that transcend into a hymn-like melody. Sharing more, Etta explained: I knew this one would open the EP. It’s definitely not a warm, gentle welcome. It takes you  straight into a place of intimacy, self-aware narcissistic tendencies, and regret. It’s pretty brutal. It was important that I had no ulterior motives with this song. I didn’t want to challenge, aggravate, or try to be clever with it, I just wanted it to form itself and be what it  was.

Etta sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I think I always have had a love for music, even my early memories from nursery, I can remember loving singing the nursery rhymes and taking it way more seriously than anyone else! It was at primary school where I joined the choir and realised that this is what I would love to do forever. The music my parents played at home and in the car got me interested in wanting to know and understand what it was I was listening to, especially after I heard ‘Coles Corner’ by Richard Hawley in the car late at night. It was the first time I remember feeling moved by a song. After that I became obsessed with music. At secondary school I began secretly song writing and haven’t stopped since then.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I could list so many, Jeff Buckley, Fountains Of Wayne, David Bowie, Richard Hawley, Mazzy Star, Fiona Apple, Alex Turner…I could go on. I would work with Jeff Buckley from beyond the grave if I could, but realistically speaking, it would be a dream to work with The Gorillaz, The Strokes, Richard Hawley…again I could go on.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?

I am quite fortunate in that I haven’t experienced many problems releasing my music, but I would say that writing throughout the pandemic when it was at its worst was challenging. Loosing routine and not being able to go out and experience anything affected my motivation to write. It felt like Groundhog Day. I personally didn’t want to write songs about quarantine or the pandemic because that was the only thing we were all constantly consuming.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I would say haunting, nocturnal, and reflective are good words that represent my sound, especially for this EP.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Probably creating and releasing view from the bridge, my debut ep. I don’t think I realised how much time and energy I put into it until I finished it and subsequently went into hibernation for a few days out of pure exhaustion.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Write as much as possible! Block out the expectations or opinions of others when writing! Become utterly selfish with it! In the end the only thing you can control is what you write, not how it will be received.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

A couple of insanely talented artists to check out are Tamino and Ichiko Aoba.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

My Woman by Angel Olsen and When The Pawn by Fiona Apple….So. Good.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

When I’m not making music, I’m listening to music! I also love playing on my Nintendo switch and looking at expensive clothes that I can’t afford to buy.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My notebook, snacks, and dim lighting. No daylight allowed!!!