ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
The acclaimed British singer-songwriter Laura Marling made her entry into the music scene by signing her first record deal at the young age of 16. Even then, she demonstrated a clear conviction that she intended to navigate the music industry according to her own principles and vision. Reflecting on her past, here’s a snippet from her conversation with a guest host on NPR’s Morning Edition in 2008.
SHAPIRO: Can you share what that pivotal meeting was like when you informed Virgin Records that, much to their surprise, you would not allow your photo to be featured on your album cover?
LAURA MARLING: If they ever tried to impose something like that on me, I would down toss.
SHAPIRO: Is that a distinctly British expression? Because I’m not quite familiar with it.
MARLING: Down toss. It means it’s not working out. I’ve put the guitar down, and when it comes to the music industry, it’s all about personal choice. If you aspire to reach mega-fame, you may have to follow orders until you achieve that status, and only then can you dictate your own terms.
SHAPIRO: Fast forward to today: Laura Marling is a well-established artist with numerous awards to her name, and she has recently unveiled her eighth studio album titled “Patterns In Repeat.” It’s wonderful to reconnect with you 16 years after our initial conversation.
MARLING: Wow, I can’t believe that.
SHAPIRO: (Laughter).
MARLING: Thank you for having me back.
SHAPIRO: It’s genuinely a pleasure to have you here again. Even as a teenager, you possessed a striking clarity of vision regarding how you wanted to engage with the music industry and mold your craft. How has that vision transformed as you’ve matured into the prominent artist you are today?
MARLING: Well, I think it’s fundamentally the same. Hearing myself express that is surprising because I don’t specifically remember saying it back then. Yet, I am glad to admit that I still adhere to that philosophy. Remarkably, I’ve maintained that perspective all along.
(LAUGHTER)
MARLING: …I’ve remained unchanged.
SHAPIRO: I find it delightful that you’re astonished by this; it’s not like a motto you’ve had prominently displayed throughout your career or in every interview, functioning as some unwavering guiding principle.
MARLING: No, it definitely isn’t. I like to think it stems from my stubborn character. Perhaps it reflects a contrarian aspect of my personality.
SHAPIRO: On your latest album, “Patterns In Repeat,” your journey into parenthood plays a significant role.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “CHILD OF MINE”)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Inaudible).
SHAPIRO: In fact, one of the opening sounds captures the essence of your baby leading into the song “Child Of Mine.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “CHILD OF MINE”)
MARLING: (Singing) You and your dad are dancing in the kitchen. Life is slowing down, but it’s still b****ing.
SHAPIRO: Can you describe the emotional landscape and scene that you’re sharing with us in this moment?
MARLING: So I recorded this album while my daughter was just 4 months old. In hindsight, that was a wise move because once they start walking, your creative options become rather limited. At that early stage, it’s a lot about napping or being content on the floor nearby. Consequently, I transformed my living room into a makeshift recording studio, keeping her close by throughout the entire process, capturing moments as they presented themselves. As a result, the album incorporates a lot of incidental, domestic sounds that play an essential role in its character.
SHAPIRO: Particularly in the opening track, the lyrics resonate powerfully with the universal experience of parenthood—very fundamental perspectives.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “CHILD OF MINE”)
MARLING: (Singing) Last night in your sleep, you started crying. I can’t protect you there, though I keep trying.
That was the first song I composed after she entered my life, which caught me off guard. I had anticipated a lengthy creative hiatus, but I hadn’t foreseen that becoming a parent would open me up to an unprecedented, terrifying love.
SHAPIRO: Your father contributed a song to this album, isn’t that right?
MARLING: Absolutely. There’s a track on the album titled “Looking Back.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LOOKING BACK”)
MARLING: (Singing) Today with age, my body is bent. And against my will, I must relent.
My father was a songwriter during the ’70s, a fact I grew up aware of. I always thought his song was very good. When he visited after my daughter was born, he played it for me, and I was completely taken aback by the new significance it held, particularly in light of the album I was producing. The song is penned from the perspective of an elderly man reflecting on his life and questioning if his love was well-invested.
SHAPIRO: How did he react to hearing your rendition of the song for the first time?
MARLING: Actually, he hasn’t heard it yet (laughter).
SHAPIRO: What?!
MARLING: He hasn’t heard it yet. Yeah, he’ll get to hear it once the album is released. I mean…
SHAPIRO: No way.
MARLING: Yup.
SHAPIRO: Why exactly are you withholding it from him?
MARLING: I don’t really know—it’s something to unpack, something slightly twisted…
SHAPIRO: Are you going to have a dramatic reveal, perhaps by dimming the lights and sitting him down to share it? Or do you prefer to let him discover the album on his own through a streaming service?
MARLING: I think it’s probably going to be the latter. Yes. I believe I’m trying to sidestep…
SHAPIRO: I shouldn’t judge, but it does strike me as unusual.
MARLING: (Laughter) Welcome to my world. But, you know, it’s just a bit too embarrassing to confront him about it directly.
SHAPIRO: How significant is this song for him to have it featured on your album?
MARLING: He’s a bit like me; too much attention makes him uneasy. But I think it will matter to him in a profound way. Gaining insight into your parents’ true thoughts and feelings is ultimately a mystery one wishes to understand.
SHAPIRO: One could always ask.
MARLING: Yes, but that might be too straightforward.
SHAPIRO: (Laughter).
MARLING: I can’t handle that kind of openness.
(SOUNDBITE OF LAURA MARLING SONG, “LOOKING BACK”)
SHAPIRO: You wrote the title track of this album, “Patterns In Repeat,” during a particularly poignant time when you, your partner, and your baby were in Paris attending a funeral. It marked the first experience of taking your daughter to a hotel, immediately evoking the chaos that such a venture entails.
MARLING: Absolutely.
SHAPIRO: There’s a powerful line in the song.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “PATTERNS IN REPEAT”)
MARLING: (Singing) I want you to know that I gave it up willingly.
SHAPIRO: “I want you to know that I gave it up willingly.” And you further sing, “Nothing real was lost in the bringing of you to me.” Could you elaborate on what this signifies for you and its veracity?
MARLING: Yes, it’s undoubtedly true. The funeral we attended exemplified what it means to relinquish everything for your children. Earlier, I mentioned a desire to grasp the intricacies of my parents’ thoughts and feelings. Realizing that your parents’ ambitions and desires are often set aside for your welfare is part of the process of growing up. It’s profoundly healing to comprehend this as one steps into the role of a parent and also something to feel immense pride in.
SHAPIRO: Do you envision your daughter one day turning to your songs and these lyrics to gain a deeper understanding of you, reflecting the same curiosity you have about knowing your own parents?
MARLING: Perhaps. A major challenge in my early life was articulating my thoughts plainly. And there may still be remnants of that struggle inherent in this very conversation.
SHAPIRO: (Laughter).
MARLING: In some ways, that’s a hurdle, but I’ve found a voice in songwriting that I have never struggled with. So I genuinely hope that my work serves as a resource not just for my daughter but for all who listen.
SHAPIRO: Laura Marling, it has been an absolute pleasure reconnecting after all these years. Thank you for such an enlightening conversation.
MARLING: Thank you so much. It was a joy to speak with you again.
SHAPIRO: Her new album is “Patterns In Repeat.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “PATTERNS”)
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Interview with Laura Marling on NPR’s Morning Edition
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
Welcome back, Laura Marling! It’s a delight to see you again after all these years and to discuss your remarkable journey as a musician. You were only 16 when you made a strong impression in the industry, famously setting terms like not allowing your photo on your album cover. How has that initial vision of navigating the music industry changed for you over the years?
LAURA MARLING:
Thank you for having me back, Ari! It’s hard to believe it’s been 16 years. I think my vision has fundamentally remained the same. Reflecting on those early conversations really surprises me—I didn’t think I had that kind of clarity! But I’m glad to say I’ve stuck to those principles throughout my career; it’s just who I am.
SHAPIRO:
That’s fantastic! It seems like maintaining that authentic voice was a vital element for you. Now, with your latest album, “Patterns In Repeat,” you weave in your experiences of parenthood. Can you tell us how being a mother influenced the writing of the album?
MARLING:
Definitely! I recorded the album while my daughter was just four months old, which was serendipitous because once they start moving around, things get hectic! My living room transformed into a recording studio where I could balance caring for her with my creative process. The sounds you hear in the record are very much reflective of those domestic moments, capturing the essence of that phase in my life.
SHAPIRO:
That’s such a beautiful way to incorporate your life into your art. The opening track, “Child Of Mine,” is particularly poignant. It addresses universal themes of love and protection. What inspired you to write that song at that moment?
MARLING:
It’s fascinating because it was the first song I wrote after she was born. I honestly expected a lull in my creativity, but becoming a mother opened my heart to a depth of feeling I hadn’t experienced before. The lyrics reflect my journey and the complexities of wanting to protect a child while embracing the imperfections of life.
SHAPIRO:
Your father’s song, “Looking Back,” also makes an appearance on the album. How was it for you to reinterpret a song with deep personal significance, especially as you navigate your own experience as a parent?
MARLING:
It was profound, really. I always thought highly of that song, but hearing it after my daughter was born added a new layer of meaning. It’s about looking back on life and love, which felt incredibly relevant to my current experience. Strangely, my dad hasn’t heard my version yet! I’m keeping it under wraps until the release.
SHAPIRO:
Really? What’s behind that choice?
MARLING:
It’s honestly a bit comical. I’d rather he discover it on his own than awkwardly sit him down for a heartfelt reveal. It’s a bit twisted, but it feels like part of our dynamic!
SHAPIRO:
That certainly adds an interesting twist! What is it about this song that makes it significant for you and your father?
MARLING:
He’s a bit reserved, like me. Too much attention makes him uncomfortable. I think this song will matter deeply to him when he hears it, even if he doesn’t express it openly. It’s a mystery we all want to unpack about our parents.
SHAPIRO:
That resonates so much. Lastly, with the title track “Patterns In Repeat,” you mentioned it was inspired by a significant event during a challenging time. Can you elaborate on the emotions captured in those lyrics?
MARLING:
Absolutely. Writing that track during an emotional time—attending a funeral and navigating the chaos of family life with my daughter—created an opportunity for reflection. The lyrics convey a sense of surrender and acceptance; I willingly gave up certain aspects of my life for this new reality. But in doing so, I felt nothing real was lost—it was just a transformation of love and experience.
SHAPIRO:
That’s a powerful sentiment. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights, Laura. We’re excited for listeners to experience “Patterns In Repeat.”
MARLING:
Thank you, Ari! It’s been wonderful to share all of this with you.
Kes it significant enough to feature on your album?
MARLING:
It touches on reflections of life experiences, the sacrifices made, and really resonates with the notion of legacy. It’s about gaining insight into one’s parents’ thoughts and feelings over time, which is something I aspire to understand. I believe my rendition will highlight those themes in a new light, and I think it will mean a lot to him, even if he hasn’t heard it yet!
SHAPIRO:
That’s quite the anticipation! You mentioned in “Patterns In Repeat” that you felt a sense of willing relinquishment in your life. How does that sentiment shape your understanding of parenthood and the sacrifices it entails?
MARLING:
Absolutely, that lyric captures the beautiful complexity of parenting perfectly. It’s about recognizing that while you may give up certain desires or ambitions, nothing is genuinely lost because what you receive is this profound, unconditional love. It’s a healing experience to see how your parents’ choices serve you and, in turn, how you navigate your own relationships.
SHAPIRO:
It sounds like songwriting continues to be a therapeutic outlet for you, allowing you to articulate these life lessons. As you look towards the future, do you hope your daughter will find connection and insight through your music, just as you seek to understand your own parents?
MARLING:
That’s my hope, yes. I often think about how difficult it was for me to express my thoughts growing up, and I want my daughter to have access to my emotions, my experiences, even if I’m not always direct about them. I want my songs to serve as a bridge for her to know me and the things that shaped my life.
SHAPIRO:
Thank you, Laura, for sharing your reflections and experiences with us today. It’s evident that your journey through motherhood, artistry, and personal philosophy intertwines beautifully in your new album “Patterns In Repeat.”
MARLING:
Thank you for having me, Ari! It’s been a pleasure to reconnect and delve into these topics with you.
SHAPIRO:
And listeners, be sure to check out Laura Marling’s latest album, “Patterns In Repeat.” It’s a stunning collection that reflects her personal journey and artistic evolution.
