What are your Full names and ages?
We are Phil McAdam (26) Matt Shields (23) Ben Peacock (24) & Rik Packer (24)
What is your band’s Genre?
People seem to be putting us in the BritRock category.
Give us a little bio of the band and you guys as individual.
Well, The Marivaux (pronounced Ma-Ree-Voe) is our band, which we do because none of us want a real job. We are creating a sound that emulates our reason for living, not existing, at a volume that cannot be ignored. We started in music college in Manchester where Phil, Matt & Ben started playing together. I (Rik) joined to cover for one gig (supporting The Futureheads) and somehow blagged being a proper member. The four of us make up The Marivaux. We’re naturally restless musicians with gritty ambition. We’ve done over four years of shows around the UK, Ireland and Europe, including our recent headline 21 date tour from Paris – Amsterdam. Our All In Good Time EP is our first ever EP to be available on iTunes and we have plenty more where that came from.
Where did you get the band name from?
From the top of the list for shitty names for bands. Nobody can pronounce it or remember it and when we went to France they told us the correct way to say it… But seriously, Matt and Phil were drinking, opened a random page in an encyclopaedia and pointed to Marivaux (who was actually a French playwright).
Who does what in the band?
Phil sings and strums the guitar, Matt explores the fretboard, leading the guitars, Ben hits things with sticks, and I (Rik) pluck one string at a time on bass whilst backing up the vocals. We all write the tunes and bring ideas to the table.
Are You Signed?
Unsigned and untarnished.
What instruments do you play?
Anything with strings, or keys, or objects that can be hit by a stick.
How did the band come about?
Through Pete, our manager and some of the band’s former tutor at college. He had the idea of a band and put the pieces in play for Phil Matt & Ben to jam.
How did you guys meet?
Them three met in college, I knew Matt since we were 4 and we’ve played in a few bands in the past, so when they needed a bassist to cover a gig – I got the call.
Who are your influences?
We could say the usual Led Zep, Nirvana, The Doors etc. but really we’re influenced by life events and our friends and family. The sounds depend on what we’re listening to at the time… It could be Abba (Phil’s favourites) or Slipknot. It all comes together when we’re on the same vibe.
What are your backgrounds whether it’s in music or not?
Rik: My background is in journalism, it’s what a trained in and I had a brief stint at the BBC. The rest of them are music heads through and through.
How did music come in to your lives and when did you start doing it?
Queen Greatest Hits 3CDs in my Sony Portable CD Player when I was about 7 or 8. That was the beginning for me, shortly followed by Limp Bizkit etc. If you were brought up around music there’s no way it won’t seep into your life.
When will you be releasing material?
Currently have an EP on iTunes (All In Good Time) and we’re due to release again in March… ears to to ground for info on that one.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Drugs. Just kidding… Kind of… Life events and being honest are all we know.
Where do you see the band in 2-5 years time?
Playing in Academy sized venues to a new breed of music lovers who are sick and tired of the mediocrity in our current music charts.
Where would your dream place be to perform?
I’d love to play Manchester’s O2 Apollo. That or anywhere within Glastonbury Festival (The Pyramid??)
If you could do collaboration with anyone who would it be?
Hearsay. Pure and simple.
If you wasn’t doing music what would you’s be doing?
Bumming about really… If I had to guess I’d say Phil would probably be an air hostess, Matt would be a P.E. teacher specialising in ping pong, Ben would be presenting Flog It! AND Pimp My Ride, and I would be making a living by appearing on various game shows, only to loose it all by betting on Manchester United to win the league.
If You got asked by a tv show or film to have your music played on, which show or film would it be?
I’d love to be played on Suits or any Marvel film. That would be super cooooool.
Do you have a website, social media pages and music pages for your fans?
Facebook, YouTube, Twitter etc – just search The Marivaux. 🙂
