Hello Marco and welcome to College Radio Charts! How has your 2025 been so far?
Hi there! Thank you for having me – Wow it’s only March and a lot has happened! It’s have been a roller-coaster so far but I’m still hanging on in there.
Your new single, “Nothing Is Impossible,” is a sonic whirlwind of influences. What was the spark that lit the fire for this track?
Yes it is indeed! It literally come from an improv session with me just messing around with loop pedal and I came across the riff that you hear on the track. I realized it had a similar vibe to Punjabi Mc’s song ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’ or latest an Indian rhythm going on. From there, I expanded on the idea and add some rock elements to it and it slowly became like a rock anthem.
Your music fuses so many different sounds—pop, rock, rap, psychedelia, dance, and even Southeast Asian influences. How do you approach blending such diverse elements while keeping your sound uniquely ‘Marco George’?
For me, I look at it as if it feels good for me at the moment and if it serves the song. I don’t think about genre or type – it’s whatever feels right. Art is a form of expression and we have some many ways to show it.
You’ve been playing music since you were nine. What was the moment when you realized this was more than just a hobby?
It was actually quite immediate. I began writing songs in old note books when I was in primary school – some of them started as poems limericks or sonnets but eventually I added music to the words.
Your father taught you your first chords. How has his influence shaped your approach to music and storytelling?
His musical influences really shaped my taste in music, mostly in rock. Early classics like Bon Jovi, Scorpions, Pink Floyd, AC/DC and U2. I also enjoyed writing short stories, watching a lot of movies and reading a lot growing up.
The track’s production is bold and boundary-pushing, thanks to Ash of Nadir Studios. How did that collaboration come about, and what was the most unexpected thing that emerged from it?
Well it was quite an easy process, my label had a few producers in mind and the first one we went to was Ash! I actually meet him earlier at a live show in Joatim and we briefly met so getting to meet him as the producer felt like it was a ‘ment to be’ kind of thing. From the get go, we really hit it off and the vibes were good. Besides him being incredibly funny, I was surprised by his honesty and advice on certain things about music and the music industry. In terms of the song itself, he really put himself to it by creating this uptempo rhythmic dance sequence at the end of the song which literally made the song fly high.
With “Nothing Is Impossible,” you’re weaving traditional Asian sounds into a modern framework. What was the most exciting or challenging aspect of blending these elements?
Well right from the get go, I knew that this song needed to be epic and it needed the right instruments and sound to bring it to life but it was exciting because the song itself incorporates world music so feels like a song for every culture.
You’ve got a background in film and theater. How does that theatrical sensibility influence your songwriting and live performances?
They certainly have a huge impact on my songwriting and performances! First and for most, I am a performer and music, theatre and film are just ways of expressing myself. It’s about understanding the audience and entertaining them, giving them a show and inviting them into your world. I always try to use props or devices to enhance the show.
The lyrics of “Nothing Is Impossible” have this raw, determined energy. Were they inspired by personal experiences or something bigger?
It was true that I was going through a tough period of isolation at the time but I was thinking more broadly for the meaning of the song. I was thinking about our ancestors who fought wars, survived plagues, diseases maybe escaped captivity just for us to be alive right now. We can’t let them down and so we can’t let the next generation down.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist—when you’re writing a song, do you start with a specific instrument, or does the idea come first and find its own form? What’s your process like when building a song—do you start with a melody, a riff, or lyrics?
Writing a song is very messy for me! It can come from a random beat or melody I’m doing with my mouth and I quickly record it on my phone, or it could me messing around with the guitar or piano, or having fun playing with loop pedal and I discover a cool chord sequence, beat or Melody. It’s just improvisation and being open to the unknown.
There’s a swagger in this song that brings to mind artists like Jack White and The Black Keys, but also a cinematic tension reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails. Who are your biggest sonic influences right now?
I’m currently listening to Tribal EDM, Scandinavian Northern sounds, Funk and Blues
The music industry is changing rapidly—streaming, social media, AI. As an artist blending cultures and genres, where do you see yourself carving out your space?
I think it’s building a community and a family around your music and your brand. For me it’s about opening up people’s minds that you don’t have to be contained do to one thing. I do lots of things on the side besides music, I teach drama and drums and sometimes do martial arts workshops. I would like to build a space for multifaceted people who have different talents a skills and let them be inspired to do more.
Your live performances—whether solo with a loop pedal or backed by a full band—are known to be dynamic and immersive. What’s the key to making every show feel like an experience?
Put the audience first. Make eye contact with someone, contact with them. You may be strangers but in that moment, it’s like you’ve known them for a long time. Mean what you say when you sing a song and be in the moment become something definitely takes over, your spirit is in its true form.
“Nothing Is Impossible” is such a bold statement. What was the defining moment in your life that made you believe in that mantra?
I survived five suicide attempts and sexual trauma when I was younger, I never thought I could make it this far so it’s a blessing that I’m still alive. Sometimes it’s hard to be grateful but I try to think as everyday as a gift. So I give a 100% of myself in everything do.
You’ve been playing music since you were nine. Do you still remember the first song you ever wrote? And looking back, what would you tell that younger version of yourself?
Oh yes indeed, it was called ‘ You and I, come from the Broken Bridge’ – heavily inspired from the band ‘ Scorpions’. I’d probably tell him that you have no idea what’s coming and we ain’t broken no more!
You’ve said that your goal is to create music that plays out like a movie in people’s minds. If you could compose the soundtrack for any film, past or future, what would it be?
I’m inspired by musicals so perhaps composing a musical soundtrack for a film would be amazing.
Malaysia’s music scene is bubbling with innovation, but the global industry can be tough to break into. How do you see your place in that crossover, and do you feel pressure to represent your heritage in your music?
Not really because music is constantly evolving and I think each artist a has a say in what they do and what they create. Art is supposed to provoke, make you feel and think and question.
What’s next for Marco George? An album? More collaborations? A world tour? Give us a glimpse into what’s coming.
I will be releasing a few more singles this year and compile them into an EP. Definitely dropping an album next year but will release them as singles first. Will be doing a small festivals here and little tour around Malaysia first and then hopefully Japan and Australia.
Thank you so much for spending some time with us today, Marco! Where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
You can find me on all socials
@marcogeorge_music
Spotify: Marco George
Soundcloud: Marco George
Facebook: Marco George
Bandcamp: Marco George
