The Marlon DuBois Interview

Shed Theory has developed an undyingly loyal fanbase that loves the group for its embodiment of pure freedom as well as their unwillingness to conform to the widely perceived "rules" of music. Marlon DuBois, founder of the experimental music group, sat down with me for an exclusive interview where we were going to discuss wondrous things such as his long-awaited new album, Haunted Mound, the future, etc.

"Trying to get back in the swing of things, I'm with milk(reset)."

Marlon moved into a new house a few months ago and is now starting to get it in order while he works on music:

"Finally set up the studio. Almost."

[...] Does it just feel like another creative endeavor or more like a chore?

"A little bit of both." "Creative Chore."

Recently, Marlon DuBois has made a few Shed-themed covers of 2010s classics with songs Marlon's Room (an obvious play on Drake's song, Marvin's Room) and Shed Yourself, a cover of Justin Bieber's radio hit, Love Yourself. I asked him about the motivation behind this seemingly random trend in his music.

"[…] Honestly I don' think about it too much it's just songs I really like. It's good practice and it's fun. I try to make it fun and a little funny but still good and authentic [...] I'm like 'if I made this song what would it sound like?'"

Marlon has more covers "in the vault" and wants to keep making them but his main focus right now is finishing his album, "Boggy," a process that has taken him four years.

"It's been a long process. A lot of the songs I recorded a while ago and I've just been making different versions and mixing, being a perfectionist. But nothing is ever perfect and I gotta just get it out or I'm gonna lose my mind [...] But I'm excited, I'm working on some events and merch to go along with it, I just wanna make sure it gets the love it deserves."

Obviously something that takes four years to make would be significant to anyone who made it but I wanted to know what was special about this album to Marlon.

"[...] I think it represents all parts of me creatively too. It's got a lot of older stuff that the OG fans will like and the music I've made for it this year is a whole new thing for me. I think I've found a good balance of expressing all my ideas while still keeping it cohesive. It's the most time I've ever spent on a project."

Tell me more about the creative parts of you.

"I've never really thought about it that deep but I guess I would say there's always a part of me that considers what I think other people (and) fans will like, overthinking criticism. Then there's a part of my brain that doesn't think too much about what I'm making and just creates naturally. That's definitely when I make the best art. Then there's the part of me that sits on the floor and does nothing [...]

Do you have a song you made where you think you leaned more towards what you thought fans wanted? And how did it do?

"Tub lol - and it worked. But Bender is also one of my most popular and that was just me making whatever; so I don't know. I can't make a million tubs though, but I can always make whatever I'm feeling at the time."

Many might not realize this, but in November 2024, Marlon shot the "AIN'T WORTH IT" music video for Haunted Mound's very own Hackle and Buckshot. This was especially surprising because of the seemingly bad blood between Joeyy and Sematary last year. Fans of the two groups were at odds for months and some remain that way today. Since then, Hackle also collaborated with Ricky Chix of Shed Theory on the song "FLASHBANG." I asked Marlon how this video collaboration came to be, despite the "drama."

They were just in London and Paris at the same time as us. random

"They were just in London and Paris at the same time as us, random coincidence. Great guys. They needed a video shot for their EP and I was there so it just worked out - Made some more fire music too that'll hopefully be coming out at some point. It's a small world, where people are in any scene together, you're bound to see each other at some point."

Who has been your favorite person to work with in this scene who are not Shed members?

"Someone I can't say right now. But the world will know.

Ominous.

"Terrifying."

[…] Since we were just talking about you shooting a video for someone else, if you could have any director shoot a music video for you right now who would it be and what would it look like?

"Harmony Korine. It would look like a (camera emoji) movie. Boom."

The vid he did for Bladee was insane. I saw on your Instagram that you met him, what was it like?

"It was brief, went to an art opening he did in LA. Didn't really get to talk to him, there was a line of people but it was lit for me either way."

What type of music or artist do you find yourself listening to most during your free time?

"Honestly I'm not sure, it changes all the time [.. ]I love Uzi's new album, I don't know why everyone hates it so much - it's awesome."

Why is your username @chewychips?

"Lol, I made this (instagram) when I was like 12 and just never changed it - it was meant to be."

Do you have anything that you want people to know about this upcoming album? [...]

"Honestly, (I) just want people to know that I've worked hard and I'm ready to go. It's time to make something happen (100 emoji).

Ok last question: Let's say, in the future, you and all your shed friends are like 85 years old. What's the one thing you hope shed fans will say about your contribution in the group?

Marlon had this to say:

(Marlon runs through the house holding his microphone before putting it up to a cat. The cat meows.)

"The legacy will always live on."