DuBois discusses how the music he creates in a shed in Upstate New York touches listeners near and far
Marlon DuBois isn’t like most rappers. He’s not from the streets, he’s not from the suburbs—he’s a hypnotic popstar living in a cabin in the woods. Residing in Upstate New York, he lives with his family, including his brother, who also produces music and occasionally works with Marlon. Without much to do outside the New York City metropolis, it isn’t much of a surprise DuBois would have to find a way to occupy himself on his own.
The sparkling superstar is starting to feel like he’s in Groundhog Day. Every second feels the same as he rides out the indefinite quarantine. His plan was to head out to L.A. over the summer, but as of now, he is in his makeshift home studio every night. While some rappers exaggerate when they say they live in their studio, you’ll come to learn Marlon does exactly that. The young artist also spends a fair amount of time working in his parent’s shop and attending art school online.
There’s certainly something mystical about being surrounded by nature and nature only. Maybe it’s the hyper-induced serenity of it. It’s like claustrophobia, but without the fear. The sounds of nature are like a melody. DuBois uses his bliss and peace to make something much more chaotic. His latest single “EDM Texture” is a unique drop featuring production from both himself and Wendigo from the rapidly popular Spider Gang. DuBois dispassionately lets go of how he is truly feeling, discussing his disinterest in winning a Grammy and not being reliant on drugs for his negative feelings. He sounds like he’s downward spiraling in a self-made euphoria projected by a persona he can’t come to terms with or acknowledge.
DuBois welcomed Underground Underdogs into his world to discuss where he is, and where he is going.
Growing up in Woodstock, New York, a place known for its legendary music festival, did you always aspire to be a musician growing up?
I always played music and dressed up as famous rock stars when I was little, but I was actually more into film. I was making videos constantly. It wasn’t until about 2015 when I started taking music seriously.
I think an important part about your music is where you make it. Tell me about The Shed!
I’m beyond grateful for the shed. It’s been on my parents property since before they moved here, well before I was born. It was my dad’s storage for a really long time, but I thought it could go to better use. We cleaned it out and had it renovated a little and I made it my home studio. It’s super cozy and when I’m home that’s where I spend most of my time.
Sibbs, your alter-ego of sorts, is a whole different artist in itself. However, you use Sibbs’ production often. This may sound like a job interview, but honestly, in your own words, what makes your production so special? As a listener, it’s very different from what I hear conventionally.
I honestly don’t know. I don’t know if it even is special. I just make what I think sounds good. Sometimes I overthink and get worried it’s not good enough, but it’s always better to just make stuff without thinking about if other people will like it or not. If you genuinely like it, there’s definitely other people that will.
While you have plenty of projects, Absolute Nonsense seems to be the album that you and your fans gravitate towards the most. Can you tell me why that is?
I honestly don’t even like most of my early projects anymore. Absolute Nonsense is the best because I spent the most time on it. I didn’t worry much about structure or people’s opinions. I just made what I felt. I worked on it for like two-and-a-half years.
While Absolute Nonsense is flooded with features, it’s apparent you’re the star of the show. What influences would you say created Marlon DuBois as an artist?
That project wouldn’t be what it is without everyone that helped work on it. Somehow it’s my most collaborative work but also my most personal. Friends of mine that don’t even make or put out music are on that album. There are so many talented people around me that I love working with and I wanted to include them all. As an artist I think I’m influenced a lot by how I was raised as well as my friends and the artists that I look up to. I grew up listening to The Beatles, and then K104 when I was in elementary school, emo music in middle school, then SoundCloud shit. I’ve always been super into music so there are tons of artists that have had impacts on me, but I’m always tryna do my own thing. I try not to let other music influence me too much.
All the artists that you work with, most of them seem close to home, real friends that you hang out with day to day. Do you think that helps with the authenticity of your music?
Yes. Pretty much all of the people that I make music with are friends that I knew before any of us made music. I think because we all have that bond and know each other so well it makes it easier to casually make music, and the musical chemistry is better for sure. Nothing is forced, because we don’t even have to make music when we hang out, a lot of the time we’re doing other shit. It’s all on our own terms.
You have a lot of tattoos being only 19. Can you explain some of your favorite pieces to me?
[Laughs] I don’t think I have that many but I’m gonna try and slow down on getting them I think. I have the shed tatted on my arm. I think that might be my favorite. Also, the DeadZone logo on my stomach.
A lot of your music is psychedelic, spiritual I suppose. That may just be your inner Woodstock. Do you believe in a higher power?
I don’t really know. I think there’s probably other dimensions and stuff we can’t see and maybe there are things in those dimensions watching us or controlling us or something. I really have no idea. I’m open to anything. But I also don’t think that’s for us to figure out. If there is anything I don’t think we’re supposed to know about it.
It’s coming up on Halloween. Do you believe in ghosts? Any ghost stories?
I don’t know if there are ghosts or spirits. Maybe just flashes of things that existed in the past, but for sure something like that is real. The mountain I live on has crazy energy. We’ve all seen and heard shit on the mountain.
You’re a one-man band. From producing, to singing, to mixing and mastering, editing your music videos, you even make your own cover art and design your own merchandise. What makes you so adamant on doing it all yourself?
Yeah, for the most part, I do everything if it’s a solo track. I like being able to have full control over my music and make whatever changes I want. I’m not the type to go to a professional studio and have somebody else engineer for me. I’m always doing that shit myself, but I also love working with other producers and artists, mainly my friends. Shoutout my brother Miles (oghu), Atticus, Eli (braindeadd), Chogyi (karma), raavi, Wendigo, Emerson, chase (galaxce), everyone that I collab with. I buy beats sometimes too because I like to support producers and invest in myself.
Well, it was great talking to you Marlon. Any closing remarks?
Thanks so much. You too, bro. I appreciate this a lot. Thank you to anyone who checks out my music and supports me. #shedboyz #mountainboyz for life.
Listen to “EDM Texture” below.