Emerging Artist Of The Month: Marnie Marie

Today marks a notable Sunday for Isle of Wight band Marnie Marie.

The talented quintet, whose name is taken from its spellbinding frontwoman, will open the Main Stage at the Isle of Wight Festival today at 11.55am, having triumphed at Platform One's Wight Noize competition for 2024.

Marnie sat down for a chat with Isle of Wight Radio in the lead up to her landmark gig.
 

Hi Marnie, how are you feeling about your Main Stage debut?

We've been preparing really well, so we're confident and excited to be getting this opportunity.

We've written a year's worth of songs which we'll be performing.

I've spoken to people like (2022 Wight Noize winner) Beth Brookfield and asked how to navigate this because it's such a responsibility representing P1.

You win and kind of don't think about what comes afterwards, then have a freakout in the middle! Beth gave some great advice.

Have you performed at the IW Festival before?

Yes, my whole band were in another project before and have done that for a couple years.

We lost motivation, so I went off and did my song-writing and production bit, and then we got back together which was really nice.

When did the band form and how did the five of you get together?

We all got together as part of our BTEC project to do original music and we did loads of funk in a band called Oh Funk.

We'll actually be doing a couple of those songs.

We got back together at Christmas last year and decided we'd go for Wight Noize, so it was quite spontaneous.

There were six bands competing at this year's Wight Noize, were you confident?

Not at all!

All of the acts were so different and so good at what they did that nobody could tell who would win.

It was a guessing game of what the judges wanted.

What’s your own personal background in music?

I started when I was six, did musical theatre for a long time and got my grade 8 last year.

During lockdown I was writing my own stuff. Once I got back on the degree things started moving forwards.

You recently recorded a new track - can you share some details on it?

It's called "I Like Me Better" and anyone who wants to listen can find it on all of the usual platforms.

Thankfully it's going down really well, and Wight Noize has helped with that.

What elements of your musical theatre background benefit you as a musician today?

Performing and being on stage at such a young age was really helpful with my confidence on stage.

How important has Platform One been to your growth?

Amazingly important, the tutors there are so good - I wouldn't have done half of the things I have without their support.

I go into the studio with this mad idea and they say "let's do it!"

They stay and help me record all of my vocals - they're so helpful.

How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t come across Marnie Marie before?

I would say it's pop-R'n'B, and beyond that, a mish-mash of my favourite genres.

Are there any global artists who have been inspirational for you?

Some of my favourites at the minute are Madison Beer, Sabrina Carpenter and Arianna Grande.

Arianna specifically is really hands-on with her vocal arranging and production on her albums, which I'm trying to do with my music.

I like to make things from scratch: get a guide track down, add instruments and go through the whole process.

What are your future plans?

I'd like to release a music video and am currently in the final stages of an EP.

I'm trying to make sure it's perfect before I release it.

Locally who do you recommend people keep their ears peeled for?

Phoenix is incredible, Hype Line are just starting out and I think they'll do really well, and Beth Brookfield is always worth watching out for.

Other than the Isle of Wight Festival, where else can people catch you this summer?

We're doing Sandown Carnival and we'll be playing it by ear with other gigs.

We've also got a schools tour which will see us play at 20 schools in 10 days for Platform One.

It's so important to give young people the confidence to get into music.

How can people find your music online?

I'm on Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube under Marnie Marie.

Previous Emerging Artists

November 2022: Josh White

December 2022: Phoenix Lopes

January 2023: Meg Rasmussen

February 2023: Ben Stubbs

March 2023: Tink Beadle

April 2023: Luna Carina

May 2023: Jay Eatwell

June 2023: The Optimists

July 2023: Amy Joliffe

Jan 2024: Olivia Cure

March 2024: Ruby

April 2024: Jazah

May 2024: The Pill