READING musician Marc Hockley released his latest album, Little Devils, only a few months ago– but is already set to begin the next stage of his work in earnest.
Marc has taken on a new name and a new approach, he explains, ahead of the release of another new album
“It’s a brand new album and a brand new identity– I fancied the ambiguity it afforded, and I really like the idea of working without any preconceptions.”
He wanted to set the album apart from his previous work, the most recent of which was Little Devils.
“We were nearly finished with that [previous] record, but I had begun to write a lot more electronic songs with more of an 80s influence.
“I’ve never written anything like that before, and it kind of took over– it was all I wanted to do.
“It soon became that I was more excited about the future album than the one I should have been working on.”
He is also making a departure from his usual work with other musicians: “Most of this album was performed by me, especially vocals and keyboards, though it also features guests.
“Nik Kershaw’s bass player Paul Geary and Ben Christo from the Sisters of Mercy both perform.
He also explained that it’s seen something of a departure to his working and writing practices.
“I didn’t want to fight it because because the songs just kept coming; I wrote about 50 songs for Little Devils, and another 20 or so for this new album.
“It would be easy to put it on the back burner and keep focused, but they were so musically different.
“I’ve performed as a Robbie Williams tribute for more than 20 years, which are great gigs, but every few years I’d want to do my own stuff.”
He says it is the work he is more proud of than any before: “It’s the most unashamedly out-and-out pop, and so much fun.
“I think it comes from never having really used my own name– now it’s so much more exciting because I’ve auteured it, and made all of the decisions.
“I think I’m going to keep this momentum: it’s affirming, cathartic, and is far more rewarding, even writing them, than just paying the bills.”
“It’s coming out in July, and there’s hopefully going be a couple of live shows in Reading to celebrate the launch.”
A Kickstarter project is also looking to fund a special edition vinyl of the album via: kickstarter.com/projects/marchockley
Full details about Modern Devils is available via: marchockley.co.uk
