Black Marble is multi-instrumentalist songwriter Chris Stewart. The project is heavily influenced by eighties synthpop and coldwave, with basslines akin to Peter Hook’s.
Black Marble’s “Preoccupation” Video
Check out the new video for “Preoccupation” from the Black Marble full-length Fast Idol, set for release on October 22nd.
“A kind of revolutionary spirit but back to nature post-apocalyptic motif is what ‘Preoccupation’ is about. Sort of a return to barbarism, reclamation by nature over the state and the protagonists are observers of this going on and narrating it from an anthropological point of view…So anything that hints at these motifs but in your own way. “What is on the way?” is just questioning what is coming specifically but knowing what’s coming generally. I counted twice 1,2,3,4, but I reversed it, so it’s counting down – or counting up rather, but in reverse.” – Chris Stewart
The video was created by Crack Cloud Media Studio.
Fast Idol Album
Fast Idol will be released on Sacred Bones Records. The album captures the romanticized time of catchy hooks and synths that sound like they were built from a kit ordered in the back of a magazine. Black Marble distills a sound between a dreamlike spacescape and the bedroom pop we sit alone listening to while thinking of the one that got away.
This album is Chris Stewart’s fourth album, and it is just as illusory and danceable as ever. The drums leave you dancing with your eyes closed and head towards the stars.
Black Marble, History
Black Marble started back in the early 2010s. At that time, Chris was beginning to write music on his laptop. Chris found the scene he was looking for in the Wierd dance parties of New York. Wierd started in 2003, brought synth and electronic acts from around the world, and would subsequently become Wierd Records, founded by Pieter Schoolwerth.
Black Marble took early inspiration from Sean McBride of Martial Canterel and Xeno & Oaklander. This led Chris to build his own vintage synths, for example, his Juno and Korg DW-8000.
Around 2011, Chris would start collaborating with Ty Kube, a former member of Team Robespierre. The two would debut with the EP The Weight Against the Door. Hardly Art released that EP and Black Marble’s first LP, A Different Arrangement, in 2021.
After A Different Arrangement, things began to shift for Black Marble. Stewart wanted to move to Los Angeles but wanted to finish It’s Immaterial first. It would be the first recording not to feature Ty Kube. From this point on, Black Marble would solely be Chris Stewart.
Black Marble tours with rotating artists when Chris is on tour. Everything in Black Marble is written and played by Stewart. It’s Immaterial and Bigger Than Life both reflect the lighter side of his writing with his move to California.
Formats:
- Sacred Bones Exclusive Clear with Neon Green and Black Splatter Vinyl LP
- Gold Nugget Vinyl LP
- Black Vinyl LP
- CD
- Tape
Black Marble can also be found on:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Bandcamp
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