Marianne Nowottny came to the attention of New York’s avant-garde music and art circles in 1998, at the age of sixteen, with the release of Afraid of Me, described as “one of the most astonishing debuts ever” by NYPress. Over the past two decades she has worked with Feeding Tube Records, Camera Obscura, Foxy Digitalis, Barl Fire, Sloow Tapes, Celestial Jars, and Siren Wire, as well as her home label, Abaton Book Company. She has garnered additional glowing reviews in such publications as WIRE, The New York Times, Plan B and Signal to Noise.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Marianne about her latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
You can watch the music video for Wagon Wheel below or subscribe on YouTube (where you can also find the lyrics).
Find more music from Marianne on Spotify.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I have simply been calling it strange pop!
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I asked my parents for my first keyboard/ synthesizer at 5 years old, it was a Casio SK-1.The sampler was a lot of fun, but I didn’t now how to record any of my silly sounds until I found an interview recorder and started using audio tapes. (I don’t have these tapes, I WISH I did). My mother always played classical music in the house and was also an accomplished pianist. We were raised constantly watching all of the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals like Oklahoma, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Show Boat, etc. I was also a little obsessed with Bollywood when it came on on Sundays on a public access channel when I lived in South Jersey. We watched those more as a family than cartoons and sitcoms. When I talk to other adults raised during the 80’s they are shocked I haven’t seen many of the sitcoms. My mother also played a lot of Mozart and Rachmaninov. That upbringing inspired me to want to write my own compositions. The only thing that motivates me to continue to write is that impromptu visit of the muse and there will be a sudden idea that I can’t let go until it is given its “legs”.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
I think the premise of the project lies in doing the tracks made with that particular ensemble justice, not to leave them unreleased and unheard, and to preserve them in an archival sense.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Technology by way of certain social media platforms has afforded me a lot of opportunities! It’s nice to be able to stick in people’s heads (when they are apart of your contacts) with simple posts. These contacts who keep you in mind can either help with a project or collaboration by an artist posting project updates or even random silly minutia. It’s very convenient in that sense. As far as over saturation….it is personally a little intimidating when I really do think about it! The important thing is do the art and music because you love it and maybe some people will hear your own voice and volume through all of the new soundscapes emerging. And you mention the digital music age… in a production sense I miss the velvety tones of recording my voice on reel-to-reel I must get back to that for a future project!
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
I welcome everyone to find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. Updates can be found on http://www.abatonbookcompany.us/nowottny.html
Anything else before we sign off?
I just want to thank all of the wonderful DJ’s, fellow musicians, producers, booking agents, and friends in general who continue to help perpetuate this beautiful dream. Art and music are just necessary for a happy life! And you have made my life a happy one with your help and support over the years.
