Having already spent the last few months building and cultivating his distinctive direction, composer, pianist, and singer/songwriter Marcus Anthony Mack delivers his immersive new single 'Unconquerable Soul'.
Capturing a beautifully rich and tender piano-led aesthetic for his newest offering, 'Unconquerable Soul' makes for a wondrous listen throughout. With his gorgeous vocals shining throughout, we can't wait to hear what this new LP has in store for us as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Drums were my first love. I used to beat on everything — tabletops, legs, my own chest. I’d make grooves with my mouth, feel entire drum kits in my body. Rhythm was life. But as I got older, I fell deeply in love with writing. And in that shift, the piano became essential, not just an instrument, but a language. Where drums were physical, primal, the piano became reflective, expressive. It’s how I write, how I process, how I connect. These days, I rarely sit behind a kit. Piano is the instrument I can’t live without.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up in a deeply religious household, where the only music I was allowed to listen to was Christian. But within that world, there was a surprising amount of range. I absorbed everything from gospel and R&B to blues and jazz. Before I turned 12, my soundtrack included artists like Fred Hammond, Dawkins & Dawkins, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Ben Tankard. That was my foundation.
Then I rebelled. Around 12, I got my hands on Dr. Dre’s 2001, and everything changed. That album cracked open a new world! It led me to producers like Dre, Timbaland, the Neptunes, Teddy Riley, and Rodney Jerkins. That discovery flipped a switch. It wasn’t just about listening anymore; I wanted to understand how these sounds were made. That’s when music production began to become an obsession rather than a curiosity.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I had so many cassettes and CDs as a kid that I honestly don’t remember what my first album was. But the first one I became completely obsessed with was Brandy’s Full Moon. I listened to that album on loop almost every day for a year, studying every facet from the production to the mix. The vocal arrangements, the production, the songwriting; it felt like a masterclass. That project didn’t just inspire me, it taught me how to listen.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
James Blake’s Wilhelm Scream was a landmark song for me. I love everything about it, the dark existential lyrics, the minimalist repetitive production, the intentional sound choices, and the way the song builds without ever losing its core. It completely shifted how I think about production. It showed me how repetition can evolve, how micro-refrains can live inside a larger loop, and how emotional depth can come from subtle, deliberate restraint.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
It really just depends on whether or not I’m inspired. If I’m inspired, I write. But when I’m not, I start by figuring out the context: what am I trying to say, feel, or explore? From there, I’ll take a walk, pull together songs from different genres that resonate with that context, and start blending them, like a musical soup. Eventually something will click and I build from that fusion.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately, I’ve been listening to a wide range of artists who each bring something distinct to the table. Over the last six months, that’s included Fred Again, Tay Iwar, Destin Conrad, Hailey Knox, Kenyon Dixon, Braxton Cook, Phoebe Bridgers, James Blake, Alex Somers, Kaytranada, Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, Labrinth, and Kehlani. It's a mix of textures, tones, and emotional worlds, from ambient and post-classical to soul, R&B, and experimental pop. All of it finds its way into how I think about sound.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’d absolutely love to open for Sigur Rós. I discovered them in college, and their music has had a profound impact on how I articulate emotion in my own work. It’s some of the most emotionally resonant music I’ve encountered in any genre. Every time I listen, it feels like I’m returning to the essence of myself. Their sound is both deeply inspiring and grounding.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
What drives me most is the ability to intentionally and positively shape a listener’s emotional experience. My goal is always to touch something deeper, to give form to the ineffable, and hopefully, to guide people back to themselves through sound.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Selling music directly to consumers is basically dead. We’re drowning in content, and standing out feels bleak. The industry has been democratized by technology, which sounds empowering, but in practice it means musical ability is optional. Everyone is a brand now, an influencer chasing relevance. Most "artists" are just carbon copies, optimising for streams and trends instead of saying something real.
And the real tragedy is, you could have hit records, be producing for major names, and still be broke. It’s the wild west. Chaotic, unstable, and constantly shifting. There’s no formula and no safety net. Just an overwhelming amount of noise, and for the fortunate few, it might cover your needs and a handful of your wants.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Continue to create in all circumstances, whether you feel like it or not, whether you’re inspired or not. Make music that sucks. Make music you can get lost in. Keep exploring the edges of your creativity so you can continue evolving. If you don’t, you’ll end up stuck in the same patterns and face a creative death.
Just as important, don’t stop at the art. Be curious about the business. Learn how the industry works and find ways to monetize your music beyond relying on consumer support. The more you understand the full picture, the more power you have to build something sustainable.
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Marcus Anthony Mack's new single 'Unconquerable Soul' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.