We caught up with Marshal Manson to talk about his music. At Indiy we champion musicians.

Let's get to it...

What do you enjoy most about being an independent musician?

I enjoy the freedom!

I feel like that's probably a generic answer, but honestly that's it.

Nobody owns my art except me, and I'd like to see more established artists hopefully getting out of the bad situations they're in...

Not only for themselves, but also to set an example for other up-and-coming artists that it is possible.

Enough is enough! Artists need to be rewarded for their work!

Yes this is art, but it's also work, and it is hard work!

If we were to peek over your shoulder, what does your studio look like? What gear do you typically use?

You'd see an alchemy table, and summoning circle, and a body part production plant!

I prefer a more streamlined method of crafting my work...

And I do everything myself.

Do you enjoy recording and production, or do you like performing live and promotion?

I enjoy live performances much more, just because for me that has always been the end goal.

I enjoy the give and take, the exchange of energy between myself and the crowd.

It's a little more unique to me in my case though...

Imagine looking at a crowd and they are all looking back at you wearing your cut off face!

Unsettling to some...beautiful to me!

How would you want people to describe your latest project in a tweet?

I don't know that I would pick an exact wordage.

I guess I'd want them to be honest about how it makes them feel.

Obviously I'd prefer it if they enjoyed it, but that's art I can't control that!

I guess what I'd really prefer is for it to make them feel good about something...

And appreciate the beauty of something that on the "face" of it is upsetting...

But when you really look at what's being said, you can see a deeper positive message that's being displayed.

Do you plan your music releases, or do you just finish a song and release it?

I plan in depth!

My recent video for 'Never Loyal' was around two years of constant planning and research.

My honest advice when it comes to this topic is to plan, plan, plan.

If you don't plan out your releases in most cases I don't see much happening!

Some people get very lucky though and are able to do that, or find a way to randomly release things that fit within whatever it is they are doing...

So more power to those people!

In my case though, I'd say it's always better to be prepared, and have an idea of what you're trying to do.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Hupx7wkjYCU

What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?

I'll be releasing the sister music video to 'Never Loyal', and releasing a lot of new music over the next year.

You're going to want to be paying attention because this is unlike anything I or anyone for that matter has ever done!

You don't cut off your own face if you're not planning to blow people's minds!

Are you planning any videos for your music? Are there any videos we need to know about!?

There are two music videos in the pipeline right now yet to be announced!

The big thing people need to do though if they want to understand the two that are coming...

Is to go and watch the video for Marshal Manson - Never Loyal first.

You can definitely enjoy the future videos without seeing them, but it's not going to make sense if you want to understand what happened to me!

Are there any collaborations, past or future, that you are excited about?

There is a massive collab sitting in the bank right now that I can't talk about yet, but I am very excited for it!

I think it has the potential to revolutionize a certain subgenre of hip hop, and that's all I'm going to say about that!

What inspires your creative process?

Things that typically inspire me are horror movies, comic books, movies, or shows...

And the music I grew up with!

I don't like to stick to one genre or style, but I do love to mashup up the sounds I grew up with with the sounds that are coming out right now.

It's beautiful to me!

Some of my biggest musical influences are Layne Staley, Kurt Cobain, Jahseh, and Peep.

Rest in peace to all of them.

As far as what inspires my process itself...

I mainly just sit down and let the music write itself!

I don't have to write it. It just comes through me out into the world.

What are your top three favorite albums of all time & why?

This is kind of ever-changing depending on where I'm at in life, but currently, my fave albums are...

Dirt by Alice In Chains
17 by XXXtentacion
And Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1 by Lil Peep.

Which makes sense because they are three albums that showcase the beauty of pain, and what can come of it.

Always turn your pain into your success!

Maybe you will help somebody along the way.

I know for a fact that all three of those albums have helped untold amounts of people...

They've certainly helped me!

And they are all timeless.

Who makes up your existing creative team?
i.e. photographers, video directors, social media managers, paid media specialists, stylists, hair, and makeup…Name someone who you think deserves a special shout-out?

My beautiful wife, my best friend, and myself.

I have a lot of friends who I work with in a creative capacity and I love them...

But when it comes to my actual team they're who I am consistently working with and having meetings with.

I do all my production, writing, recording, directing, and editing myself...

But those people are always behind me and helping me make sense of all the noise in my head to keep things on a straight path.

My wife was actually the camera person for 'Never Loyal' and she did a fantastic job!

Where can we find you on social media?

My Facebook is Marshal Manson.
Instagram is @marshal_manson.
And my YouTube is Marshal Manson.

You catch me on Twitter as well @marshalmanson.

I'm very active on all those platforms and if you want to come and say hi to me, just shoot me a message!

I'll definitely talk to you for a bit when I have the time.