Premiere: Marlon Chaplin Encourages Us To "Try," In New Single And Music Video
- BUZZ LA
- Oct 15, 2021
- 4 min read
Toronto-based singer-songwriter and alternative artist Marlon Chaplin highlights the inspirational tune "Try" off his recent 12-track album, 'Synestalgia.'
Marlon Chaplin first delved into the industry with his former Brit-Pop-inspired band Broken Bricks, who landed festival spots with the Arkells, on NOW Magazine's "Top 25 Acts You Gotta See at NXNE 2011," and a sync placement in Degrassi: The Next Generation. Since then, Chaplin embarked on his solo career, toured NYC/Toronto, and brought home a loyal fanbase.
The industrious and self-sufficient recording artist recently signed a deal with Canadian artist development company Nu Music Group. He's also dropped the dynamic and electronic-infused 12-track album, 'Synestalgia,' which graced our speakers with vast psychedelic atmospheres and an affinity to orchestral rock. We've decided to expand on our favorite track coming in at spot number two, "Try."
Listening to "Try," the venture begins with twinkling keyboard melodies that soak our speakers in a bright radiance while a dizzying synth melody floats in from the background. As the melodic electric guitar begins to fade in, Marlon Chaplin drops us into the song's upbeat verse, where his soft and dazed vocals grace our ears with nothing but passion and poise.
As he makes his way to the hook, Chaplin encourages us to break our intrusive trains of thought and overcome those obstacles that continue to weigh us down. We adore the hints to rock that Chaplin has included into this single, not to mention the bold and chilling electronic arrangements that offer similarities to the complex stylings of Kevin Parker.
Find the inspirational and groovy single, "Try," on all digital streaming platforms, and listen to Marlon Chaplin's recent 12-track album, 'Synestalgia,' while you're at it.
Welcome to BuzzMusic Marlon Chaplin, and congratulations on releasing your 12-track album, 'Synestalgia.' What inspired you to release this dynamic project?
The album's producer, Ewan Kay, pitched me the idea. We'd worked previously on two singles of mine. After those were released, he sat me down at a coffee shop in the Roncesvalles Village area of Toronto and explained his idea to write a whole album essentially from scratch he would produce. Until then, I'd self-produced. So it was an exercise in letting go of control. But I could only do that with someone I trust deeply.
Were there any particular experiences that inspired you to write "Try," a song about overcoming obstacles and trying your best?
It's probably the most existential song I've written. Without painting too vivid of a picture, it touches on the dichotomy I feel about human existence; we're in many ways machines, programmed to behave and act in specific ways - destined to repeat Darwinian patterns with the great mystery of "why?" The song is about the relationship to the other side of the coin, a more ethereal spirituality—an escape from that Matrix. The "try" element is about marrying the two and finding a balance to keep pushing forward and growing. But no, no particular experiences. Just my dreams.
Why did you choose to place "Try" at the beginning of your album, 'Synestalgia?' Does the album's track placement enhance the story or concept told throughout the record?
Ewan was pushing for "Try" to be the first whole track on the album (after the introduction piece), and it just made sense to me. There's a refreshing quality to it. It feels like a deep breath on a summer day in some alternate dimension. I get a similar feeling from "Band On The Run" being at the front of that record. "Try" could be looked at as an indicator of what's to come. It sort of fuses together all the vibes hit on the record into one tune.
What did you want your audience to take away from the single "Try?" What did you want to leave them with?
I've always held the opinion that whatever my audience gets from any of my songs is correct. It never fails to astound me some of the interpretations fans come up with while listening to my work, which should be no different. However, it moves and hits you is correct. But it has some twists and turns; it's sort of a trip. There's light and dark to it. Ultimately though, I'd like for listeners to immerse themselves in its world. The same goes for' Synestalgia' as a whole.
Since you went solo, how have you built your brand to represent what you stand for? What should we know about who you are and how you reflect that in your music?
I'm never going to emulate trends for the sake of it. I can be equally influenced by something that came out yesterday or an obscure 45 from the 50's I found in the free bin. I'll always be in a state of growth and evolution. My favorite artists usually are, if you track their careers. I'm always striving for timelessness, something that connects on a gut level. I also respect my audience; I believe in challenging them. I want my music to be great and accessible, but I think many people are tired of that red-lined grocery store, by-the-numbers top 40 energy. There's some fantastic pop music out here at the moment, but humans are complex, and the greatest art tends to reflect that. I want to live there.
