WHILE WE KEEP BUSY AT SLOW & LOW BOTTLING OUR LIQUID GOLD… ARTIST GOLD STAR KEEPS BUSY WEAVING HIS BRAND OF POETIC GOLD… MOST RECENTLY IN HIS NEW SONG & VIDEO, “WILD BOYS”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW SONG AND VIDEO FOR “WILD BOYS”
‘Wild Boys’ was written in my apartment in East Hollywood and was originally demo’d at my friend Ian Doerr’s studio, Love Magnet. We cut it on a beautiful old tape machine with Jordan Odom on bass and Connor ‘Catfish’ Gallaher on pedal steel. The title of the song is lifted from William S. Burrough’s novel “The Wild Boys.” Burrough’s wrote about a destructive youth movement set in a post-apocalyptic world, my version is about being a teenager in the not dissimilar Hollywood of my youth. Sean O’Brien (The National, Taylor Swift) recorded the final version at his studio and we cut it live with additional contributions from Jay Rudolph and Mikey Whiteside on Drums and Hammond organ, respectively.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY INSPIRING YOUR SONGWRITING?
I often write about my life experiences and those of my friends, but I am always inspired by literature and poetry. I just read a book called ‘Body High’ by Jon Lindsey that I found super interesting and relatable in strange way.
IN YOUR WORDS, DESCRIBE THE GOLD STAR SOUND…
I think ultimately the Gold Star sound is about songwriting, and I still believe in emotional sincerity in music. I think essentially what we do sonically is try to create a more contemporary version of old folk songs and sort of create a collage of all the great recordings that inspired us along the way.
NO LIMITATIONS…WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MUSICALLY COLLABORATE WITH?
I think ‘The Band’ would be one of the most fun and amazing bands to play with; they just have a unique synergy and a certain kind of enthusiasm and energy in addition to being incredible players individually.
TOP THREE WHISKEY-DRINKING SONGS?
Whiskey Woman - Flamin’ Groovies
A Pair of Brown Eyes - The Pogues
Jockey Full of Bourbon - Tom Waits
YOU EVEN MADE A PLAYLIST FOR US! WE THINK THESE ARE ALL EXCELLENT WHISKEY-DRINKING SONGS ; ) LISTEN TO MARLON'S "HOW TO SHOOT TO THE MOON" PLAYLIST HERE:
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO DRINK SLOW & LOW?
On the rocks.
BEFORE MUSIC YOU WERE A PAINTER… DO YOU STILL PAINT?
I am essentially retired from painting but someday I see myself picking it up again.
YOU AND YOUR MUSIC ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES… IF YOU HAD
TO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND BE INFLUENCED BY ANOTHER CITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
We always talk about doing a record in New Orleans. Super interesting city with an incredible musical history. Jordan Odom (Guitar, Bass) is from down there originally so hopefully we will make it happen soon.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE THE SLOW & LOW AUDIENCE TO KNOW ABOUT GOLD STAR?
Stay tuned, more music and shows coming soon!
CHECK OUT GOLD STAR’S NEWEST VIDEO & FOLLOW HIM @gold_star_music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgPcumLXl4
