Luke Marzec Talks Debut Album, Single And More

Singer-songwriter Luke Marzec will release his debut album ‘Something Good Out of Nothing’ on 18th August 2025 via Swift Half Records. He chatted to us about his new record, single and more: 

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

I think it is falling asleep at a classical music concert! My first violin lesson with Costas Manoras and had 4 breast statues of the four B’s: Bach, Beethoven, Bartok and Brahms.

 

When did you begin songwriting?

My first experience of songwriting was as an infant in primary school, me and a friend wrote a Christmas carol that was performed in the abbey at Christmas. But really it was in my mid-teens that I started writing a lot, I still remember a lot of them. I started to spend more time on the piano singing, instead of doing my classical homework.

 

You will release your debut album ‘Something Good Out Of Nothing’ on 18th August 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I like to write intuitively. Usually something might start from an improvisation. But once the core of an idea is found, I like to craft it into a song quickly, and remember that John Lennon quote: if it’s got a beat, a melody and rhymes then you’re onto something. Something like that. The faster you work the more intuitive it can be. And that Keith Richard’s quote…song writing is not an academic thing. The album largely came out of an intense fortnight or so of songwriting. I had demoed 20-30 songs. Because of the speed of writing it really becomes a proper time stamp of a period of your life. Next I began working with my neighbour David Beauchamp and we started learning the songs as a duo, recording them live and redubbing most of the parts. It happened over the winter of 23/24 and was a perfect way to spend the darker, wetter months.

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

The album was recorded in my studio at my Mum’s place in Devon. There’s a barn of sorts with a couple of workshop spaces, and my mum kindly donated me her art-room when she was no longer using it. I struggle to be creative in basement, windowless, characterless studios that you often find in cities- so to have the timber A-frame of the old barn roof and windows in it is a real touch. I produced and recorded the album. It was important for me at the time – having not written in a while, to have that control and responsibility. However, off the back of this album I’ve been introduced to a couple great producers and I’m really looking forward to just focussing on the songwriting, singing and piano performance. Getting experts better than myself to do all else and focus on what im best at: performing. Now I have a band for the live gigs I can see that we will likely record the next album live on vintage gear with a producer helping shape us.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album’s recording sessions?

We really pissed off one of our neighbours after continuing to record late into the night. David and I hit the blues jam across the road one Thursday night, and afterwards from about 11pm we took to the studio. He was livid, and had had a bit to drink. It wasn’t actually very funny, to be honest, but we did bond over the experience. But generally all the neighbours seem to dig the sounds that we make and I’m forever grateful for their patience.

 

Who were the musicians who performed on the album with you?

It was just me and David. Next time I can’t wait to record with more musicians!

 

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

The main way we made best of the sound was to acoustically treat the room and experiment with recording in the best sounding part of the room. It was my first time recording drums: David and I set up the drums in different parts of the studio, with different microphone set ups, listened to them all back and chose our favourite set up. It was all quote intuitive. I chose my instruments early on and this defined the sound: drums, bass, keys, prophet, morphgene sampler, saxes and voice. The more bigger decisions early on the better.

 

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

A) red boletes

B) Easy On You (Easy On Me)

C) Growing up with you

 

You have also released the new single ‘Space To Be Free’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

The chorus was written years ago. It’s a story about power. When I started it was about the power in banking and housing, but when I finished the song more recently, the new versus channelled other influences: the tech kings. We continue to call our world democratic, but it feels like the forces of old have returned. The princes and the paupers.

 

Do you have a visualiser to accompany the single?

I do not

 

Did you work with anyone else in terms of the songwriting?

I tried writing with various songwriters and producers. But these days I either write alone or with my friend Theo Batchelor. We co-wrote Red Boletes on the album, I’d say the best song on the record.

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

The hardest bit was starting, getting into the flow and motion of finishing things. Other than that, it was fun and it just took the time that it needed. If anything I could have spent longer, but then it’s good to have a finished body of work. Now im planning the next one, learning from the successes and failures of this one.

 

Who designed the album artwork?

My father and I and Steven worked on it. There was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing

 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

I’ve moved around a lot but my hometown is now Buckfastleigh. Five words: community, rural, tight-knit, humble, calm.

 

How do you look after your voice?

I just need to sing often and then it’s good.

 

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2025/2026?

UK: August 8th @ Barrel House Totnes

August 9th @ Boardmasters fest

 

Who is in your touring band and what do they play?

In the band is Leon on Bass, David Beauchamp on Drums and Will Tyler on guitar. We’re all based here in Sooth Devon

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

To play in the moment and musically

To have connected with the audience in a deeper, non musical way

 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Nowadays it’s just stripped back. Bass, drums, guitar and keys. I’ve got an older Nord Electro and it’s Wurlitzer setting sounds awesome through my Vox guitar amp. Everyone’s got vintage and tube amps and guitars, and a 60s drum kit.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

“God of small things” is the most beautiful and tragic book I’ve ever read. It’s full of emotion, of all the emotions.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

My main influences are the music I’ve been listening to for a long time. Ray Charles: drown in my own tears

Nina Simone: mr bojangles

Louis Armstrong: there must be a way

Bob Marley: natural mystic

Bill Evans: peace piece

Miles Davis: blue in green

Talking heads: this must be the place

What makes Luke Marzec happy and what makes you unhappy?

Having time to eat healthily, exercise, spend time in nature and with friends and family, good food and a good book and to practice my instruments. That makes me happy.

Unhappiness usually comes from neglecting the above

Feature Image Photo Credit: Natalia Bjerk

Luke Marzec’s debut album ‘Something Good Out of Nothing’ will be released on 18th August 2025 on vinyl, LP and re-introduced digitally with new artwork via Swift Half Records. 

In addition, he will perform a full-band album launch show on Friday 8th August 2025 at Barrelhouse, Totnes, United Kingdom.

Tickets are onsale now here: https://barrelhousetotnes.co.uk/luke-marzec-full-live-band-album-launch/

For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/lukemarzecsworld/