Marc E. Bassy is a San Francisco native, currently based in Los Angeles. Marc has spent the past few years building cache as one of Pop and R&Bʼs most promising and unique voices, while taping a premier mix of associates to assist including Kehlani, YG, G-Eazy, TY$, Thundercat, Kyle, Blackbear, Tory Lanez, 070 Shake and more. After swerving in and out of label deals since 2016 Bassy started his own record label “New Gold Medal” with the idea that the standard has changed now for what success means in this industry. “It’s not just about having a song on the radio. It’s about having an impact on the culture and taking care of your people, and that comes from ownership and independence.”
In 2019, Bassy dropped his first work as an independent artist Postmodern Depression, which delivered a mixture of big pop songs and hip-hop leaning gems about love and sex. Marc’s catalogue of the last 5 years has over 1 billion streams across all platforms and has led him on 3 headline tours, last which was cut short due to the Pandemic, having sold out capacities of up to 1,500 people. Fast forwarding to now, Bassy is excited to partner with PVTL Projects and release his new sound to raise the bar once more!
This week we share our interview with Marc E. Bassy, discussing his latest release, Little Men, the launch of his new label– New Gold Medal, his plans to be on the road in 2022 and more.
1) Let’s start with your new project “Little Men” (which you can stream anywhere you get your music). Was there a different approach to creating this album during a pandemic than you have had in times past pre-Covid?
It actually was different in the sense that the process was more isolated. Me and my collaborators were more tight knit - we went on trips together-cooked and lived together. Covid kind of turned it more into a family affair.
2) How has COVID changed song writing, performing, promoting an album, touring etc from your point of view?
As far as I can tell Covid changed everything. I don’t think a lot of the same rules that applied three or four years ago even matter anymore. This modern world of music is so democratized and honestly a bit scattered. I think with tik tok being such a force, people’s appetite for music has changed-they consume smaller chunks of entertainment, and thus a lot of it becomes more fleeting. But this is what people always say when a new tech takes hold so I’m optimistic overall.
3) We always hear stories about artist’s favorite “music making place” for a lack of a better term. What’s your favorite go-to spot to write and create?
At the moment it’s been in my new house. Giving myself a chance to get bored - to not put pressure and let that spark come to me. I see Paris as a great place to make music this year too.
4) “Little Men” is on your own imprint New Gold Medal which you created after parting ways with Universal Republic Records. What are the benefits you’ve seen from becoming an independent artist and building your own team?
The benefits vary depending on the situation but in general it just forces you to grow, not only as an artist but as a person. It makes the journey more meaningful because you really have to be authentic to cut through-and you have to learn to be about your business 24/7. It’s not for everyone but I couldn’t see it any other way now.
5) What is one piece of advice you could offer to an artist getting into the business today?
Be prolific-learn your history-post your talent-don’t be too self important-don’t be too precious with your music-let it flow
6) What is your favorite song to perform and why?
Probably “Subway Car” - that song is so powerful and it always puts the audience in a trance.
7) If you could collaborate with any artist living or dead who would it be?
Probably Kendrick Lamar-best living rapper to me, his creativity is just boundless.
8) You’ve had an incredibly successful career and showing no signs of slowing down! What do you consider to be your be your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is that I don’t quit - things have been hard, we’ve lost everything a couple times along the way but we always salvage and get back on the horse.
9) G-Eazy’s new album “These Things Happen Too" is loaded with featured artists. Demi Lovato, YG, Lil Wayne, E-40 among others including yourself. You’re on a track called “Faithful”. You guys go way back, so when it comes to being involved with his new album is it something as simple as you guys throwing DM’s back and forth or is it more complicated than that? In other words, how did “Faithful” come about?
We’re friends so it was us playing music for each other really - talking about collab ideas. We actually went back and forth on that one a lot.
10) What can fans expect from you in 2022 and beyond?
I’m going to be releasing two or three projects and traveling a lot. Tour in February and March-it’s looking like a big year.
