We Speak Indie Artist
Get to know indie artist NOCT
Following the release of the track “Everything is Ripe”, we caught up with the London-based indie artist.
– “Everything is Ripe” delves into themes of existential reflection and the pressure to seize youthfulness amidst life’s uncertainties. Can you share more about the personal experiences that inspired this track, and how you hope listeners will connect with its message?
Personally, the song is a culmination of many instances in my life where I was not living in the way I wanted – due to my own fears and uncertainties. It’s easy to get caught up in an idea of how you want your 20s to pan out, only to get disappointed when your expectations don’t play out. I’ve moved across the continent, left my family back home, started new in the UK and left to figure out my *true* ambitions and what I actually enjoy. In that process, a lot of personal incidents happen that leave you feeling uncertain, which ultimately can take you down dark paths. I hope those who listen can find solace in the fact that this said path is always temporary, and most of the time, it’s just your brain adapting to new situations.
– Your music draws from a diverse range of influences, blending 2000s alternative-indie sounds with bossa nova rhythms. How do these eclectic influences shape your creative process, and what do you hope sets your music apart in today’s musical landscape?
To me, it’s like cooking with 20 ingredients rather than 2. You can still create a masterpiece with 2 (for ex, oats and milk) but it tends to be a more nuanced and varied dish with 20 ingredients. Having grown up in a multicultural household, it just subconsciously affects the way I make music. For instance, I admire the way the Brazilians approach percussion in their music, and I find myself borrowing a lot of those elements in my tracks. Today’s musical landscape feels like some artists doing what they can to have a viral moment on social media – and although that is more than fair, I feel like it strips away from the authenticity and intent behind the art. All I hope is that people enjoy my music, and that it sparks something in them to create art that is meaningful for them.
– “Everything is Ripe” marks a significant evolution in your sound and storytelling. Can you tell us about your collaboration with Danny Monk on this track and how it contributed to the overall sonic experience? Additionally, how do you approach songwriting as a deeply personal and therapeutic process?
I’ve collaborated with Danny Monk previously for a band I play guitar in called ‘Paper Anthem’ – he is the primary engineer and has produced some tracks as well. Through that band, I knew that he’d be a good fit for NOCT and Everything is Ripe. Having it recorded and mixed at a studio, rather than my bedroom, made the world of a difference in the quality of the track. We could add more layers without cluttering the mix, thereby granting a more 3-dimensional, sonic experience to the listener. Danny’s input also meant a lot to me, as someone who does this type of thing for a living. It definitely will not be my last collaboration with him.
In terms of approaching songwriting as a therapeutic experience, it’s just one of the many available outlets to ‘let it out’ for me. A lot of people journal, talk to people, or whatever mode they chose. I do those as well, but have found songwriting to be the most effective outlet for me because it’s something I would willingly revisit. It’s not often that I’d wanna go back to a journal entry. With music, you’re automatically brought back to your emotions as you revisit them, which to me is a beautiful thing. It helps me to understand myself.
Photo credit: Jasmine James
Every once in a while, a debut comes along that doesn’t just introduce an artist – it reveals a soul. Marz Starlife’s first EP, Healing, is exactly that. It’s raw, it’s heartfelt, and it doesn’t pretend to have everything figured out. Instead, it leans into the messiness of real life – the mistakes, the heartbreak, the isolation – and tries to make sense of it all through music. Born in Jamaica, raised in the UK, and now back on the island, Marz brings a cross-cultural perspective to his storytelling, but at the heart of Healing is something deeply human: the need to reckon with the past in order to move forward.
Across the project’s standout tracks, Marz doesn’t hold back. In Bad Memories, he opens up about years lost to incarceration, fractured relationships, and the weight of regret. “Spent four birthdays locked up, baby remember me please,” he raps, in a tone that’s both matter-of-fact and aching. The production stays subdued and moody, letting the lyrics breathe. There’s no glorification of the streets here, only reflection. He admits to being young and caught up in the chase for fast money, but he also shows growth, making it clear that he’s not the same person he once was. It’s a track that lingers, not because it tries to be flashy, but because it feels real.
The title track, Healing, is where everything clicks. Marz taps into something almost spiritual as he raps, “I turn pain into power, darkness to light.” The song is layered with poetic lines and subtle emotional shifts, balancing toughness with tenderness. There’s a determination to rise above, even when the scars still sting. He reflects on his upbringing, his time in the streets, and the inner battles he continues to fight. “No shrink can understand how I’m feeling,” he says, and honestly, it’s hard not to believe him. The pain here is too specific, too lived-in. But instead of letting it swallow him, he uses it to fuel something greater.
What’s refreshing about Healing is that it doesn’t try to fit neatly into any one genre or narrative. Marz blends elements of UK hip-hop, Jamaican rhythm, and emotional rap into something that feels uniquely his own. He’s not here to be the loudest or the flashiest; he’s here to be honest. And in a world full of over-produced, over-polished music, that honesty stands out.
With Healing, Marz Starlife has given us more than a debut; he’s given us a mirror into his journey, and maybe even our own. Whether you’ve lived through similar struggles or are just someone who appreciates music with depth and heart, this EP is worth your time. It’s a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it’s possible, and that sometimes telling your story is the most powerful thing you can do.
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