What is it that keeps drawing us back to TF Marz’s music? It comes down to his ability to effortlessly craft tracks that keep us on our toes, and his genuineness as a person and an artist. Blending chillhop and R&B with deep, infectious beats that make the dance floor feel less like a nightclub and more like a house party with all of your closest friends. His newest album captures that essence perfectly. It is where authenticity and groove meet to create an experience that feels effortlessly fluid and intentionally hard.
On November 21st, he will bring this contagious vibration to the stage of Cervantes Masterpiece for a night we simply can not miss. TF Marz and Friends: with support from incredible artists including Ian Ewig, Kaya Ko & Kapok, Alex Moon and Bee.Ni$e. Ahead of his biggest headline yet, we had the opportunity to connect with Marley on defining his sound, building community, and finding FLUENCY.
In Conversation with TF Marz
Lauren Jeter, Electric Hawk: As an artist, I can imagine how exciting it is to have a major headlining show at a venue you have played before. How does it feel being back playing at Cervantes, but as a headline this time?
TF Marz: It’s really exciting! It’s the first time I’ve ever really gotten to fully conceptualize a show, from the lineup to the production, and capture my vision and vibe. I think I have a pretty distinct perspective within the electronic music scene, so I’m excited to use that perspective to bring a unique, cohesive show that feels like me and my music. It’s gonna be the most authentic dive into the world of TF Marz yet.
LJ: The last time we talked was before your headline at the Black Box, and we discussed the artists that helped build the lineup for that night. I really love the direction you went with creating this upcoming show’s lineup. Can you tell us about what vision you had when selecting the support for this show and what each artist brings to the table for this night?
TF Marz: When picking the lineup, it was my goal to continue on that trajectory that I started with my Black Box show by infusing the lineup with a particular Hip Hop and R&B feel. This time, though, I got the opportunity to bring in an artist who has kind of paved the way for my style and approach with Ian Ewing, while introducing artists to Denver that inspire me and occupy a similar space as me in the music world, either through collaboration or the unique and innovative styles they are bringing to dance floors.
Kaya Ko & Kapok are both such incredibly talented artists, whether that be singing, rapping, performing, producing, and/or songwriting. I’ve made some of my favorite music with them, and I got to see them perform at Shambhala this past summer in Canada and was really blown away. After that, I knew I had to have them on the show, not to mention it was important to me to be able to perform our collaborations together.
Alex Moon is also a multi-talented artist, and we are on such a similar wavelength in terms of music taste. Every time I see her perform, she brings the freshest selections in the Hip Hop and R&B world and fuses them with tracks perfect for the dancefloor. She does this with such cohesion and swag. It just felt like an obvious choice for the night I was envisioning.
Bee.ni$e is also on the cutting edge of fusing Hip Hop and R&B with electronic music. She has such a fresh approach that spans across electronic styles, and I always have so much fun every time I see her play. She has an epic girl gang called Womb Tang who are making waves in the Pacific Northwest, and I’m so stoked to have her out to represent.
LJ: Since we last talked, how do you feel the TF Marz project has evolved or grown? And where do you see it going next?
TF Marz: I mean, I think it’s really become more refined, and I’m just finding more and more confidence in my sound every day. I’ve always had a different approach than most of my peers, and that difference comes with some fear of not being accepted or good enough; I won’t lie.
But with the combination of the improvement of my production skills, finding the right people to collaborate with to bring the sound I’m envisioning to life, and flat-out accepting and finding pride in the fact that my music doesn’t sound like anyone else, I’ve really been able to shed a lot of the apprehension and approach the project with confidence and clarity. Ultimately, I’m defining more and more who I am as an artist and capitalizing on my authenticity, so I just see the project continuing to grow cause I think I’m touching on a sound that people are hungry for.
LJ: You have consistently used your platform to speak on important social issues. Can you talk a little bit about why having Planned Parenthood present at your show is important to you?
TF Marz: The assault on reproductive and sexual healthcare is truly appalling and affects people from all walks of life. There’s a massive intersectionality between that issue and numerous other issues we face in our society, including racial injustice, LGBTQIA+ rights, economic inequality, and public health.
Planned Parenthood has been on the frontline of fighting for people’s rights and providing safe, accessible healthcare to all for decades, and it is an organization I truly believe in. This show is meant to represent who I am, and it wouldn’t feel like TF Marz if there wasn’t some sort of social justice element to the night.
Breaking Down the Latest Release
Paired with some of the smoothest bars we’ve ever heard, his production radiates an undeniable swagger. I’ve had this album on repeat since my first listen, and it’s quickly becoming the soundtrack to closing out one hell of a year. There’s something special about an album that feels best experienced from start to finish, and one you can’t wait to listen to with your favorite headphones at a significant volume.
Each track seamlessly flows into the next, creating a cohesive listening experience while still bringing its own distinct sound and story to the table. It’s where thoughtful curation and effortless flow state collide. The result? An album waiting to sweep you off your feet and straight to the dance floor.
Listen to TF Marz’s newest album FLUENCY, while you read:
LJ: What was the spark of inspiration, whether it be a feeling, event, or a moment(s), that inspired you to bring this 10-track album to life?
TF Marz: Most of the album is songs that I made over the last year or so, and this summer I was listening to stuff I had made, and I felt a through-line through this collection of music. I was feeling that there was something cohesive with all these tracks despite the diversity of sounds and ideas. It demonstrated that I can ‘speak’ many different musical ‘languages’ if you will, but all with the stamp of the TF Marz sound, kind of like an accent. Hence the album title FLUENCY. To me, this project represents where I’m at as a producer and also where I’m pointed directionally for the future.
LJ: Regarding the song “LIKETHAT”: Do you remember the first time you played this track live? If so, can you tell us about the experience of playing a track for the first time to a live audience and seeing how people connected with it?
TF Marz: I can’t remember the exact time I first played “LIKETHAT” out live, but I do remember that I made this track in response to feeling a bit stagnant and stuck, and I feel like it really opened things up for me creatively for this album. I do remember that when I did start playing this one out, people really connected with it, and I could feel the shift in energy in the room. It’s cool to have that experience with new songs, especially when it’s something a bit different, because it gives me confirmation that I’m on to something that is larger than myself and just my taste personally.
LJ: This album is filled with a beautiful flow of lyricism – what was it like collaborating with these other artists to bring your vision to life?
TF Marz: It was really dope because working with vocalists is where I feel like my production style shines. I really love collaboration, as I think the compilation of different perspectives and tastes allows for something that can touch more people and gives a piece of art even more life.
And frankly, I generally enjoy music with vocals more. Gives it a more human feel. But it also comes with an element of trust as well. More often than not, the vocalists for this album did something that was different than I was expecting or what I pictured for vocals when I made the initial beat, so when I passed something off for the vocalist to work on, I learned to let go a bit and embrace a whole new perspective of this thing I’ve heard a million times.
It was actually really exciting and always ended up being more interesting than my initial idea.
LJ: Are there any particular moments from this album that hold a deeper meaning to you? Or any details that you hope people catch whenever they listen to it?
TF Marz: “DETHRONE” is an important song in this respect. Lily Nova wrote some very powerful lyrics that are really topical to the times we’re currently in and the perspectives that so many people in our generation have. That, paired with the ominous yet powerful soundscape that Sundog and I put together, to me really puts you in this moment culturally.
I think the project as a whole, because of the wide scope of collaborators, gives the listener a feel for the range of emotions, experiences, and perspectives a person in their 20s-30s has in this day and age. Sometimes it’s introspective, sometimes it’s a party, sometimes it’s confident, sometimes it’s triumphant.
LJ: Making an album involves a lot of moving parts- can you walk us through what your creative process looks like whenever you sit down to work on making new music?
TF Marz: This album came together much like a song comes together in the studio for me. When I start a new idea, I don’t usually sit down with exactly what I’m about to make in mind. I experiment and find something interesting, whether that be a sample or a melody or whatever, and then kind of let that guide me and just kind of see what I end up with.
To me, the discovery is the most fun part about making music. That moment when the idea clicks and I make something that I could listen to for hours on loop is the best feeling. Better than finishing a song or playing a big show, that moment right there is the magic.
LJ: What do you hope people feel whenever they listen to this new album from start to finish? And when you are all done with production, how do you decide the order of the songs on the album?
TF Marz: You know, honestly, I don’t really have a specific hope for how this album makes people feel, as weird as that may sound. Like making music, experiencing and listening to music is a very personal experience. I don’t think it’s my job to make anyone feel a particular way – my job is to be authentic with my feelings when creating the music and if that elicits a particular emotion in someone then that is a beautiful thing.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of emotion and intention put into this music but that is all from my and my collaborators perspectives and I think the really cool thing about music, and art in general, is that it can feel different for everyone depending on their perspective and experiences. Ultimately, I’m really focused on what I can control, so I made the best thing I could, put my heart and soul into it, and if that makes anyone feel something, then it’s a success.
In terms of organizing the tracklist of the album, that’s something I really love to do. I do it a lot for other artists that release with all:Lo, along with myself. When I’m doing that I’m really focused on the energy of each track and how one moves into the next. Overall I think it’s about making each track stand out while also feeling like it’s cohesive and in a flow.
LJ: You have been performing to audiences throughout your entire life. What do you think your younger self would have to say if he knew you were about to headline Cervantes? Do you have any advice for artists that are just starting out their project and have hopes of one day being in your shoes?
TF Marz: My younger self would be really proud. I’ve had dreams of doing something like this all my life. Curating a lineup, having my own production and all of that, having a show that really encapsulates the music I love and the artist I am, so it’s just a really cool opportunity and an important moment in my career. It is emblematic of who I want to be as an artist – authentically and unapologetically myself.
And that’s the advice I would give to any aspiring artist. BE YOURSELF. It is how my friends and I have all found success. You can learn all the technical skills, have all the best gear, or even the most incredible natural talent, but all of that has a ceiling if you don’t allow yourself to be you. I always say this, but I think really all we want as people is to connect with something real. So to any artists out there, be you unwaveringly and work hard, and I promise you’ll achieve things you’ve only dreamed of.
LJ: Lastly, what do you hope people walk away feeling after experiencing this show, and is there anything else that you would like to share with our Electric Hawk community?
TF Marz: I want people to walk away feeling like they know who I am and what I stand for, and even more, I want them to feel a true sense of community. Nothing I have ever done would be successful without the help, love, and support of so many people. I am someone who thrives on collaboration, not only as an artist, but in all facets of my life, and this show will be a product of that.
From the people on stage, to the people working behind the scenes to make the show happen, and the people in the crowd bringing their energy. We all do this together, and when we do something together, we create something greater than ourselves, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Don’t Miss TF Marz + Friends Taking Over Cervantes!
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Looking for new music? Keep up with our weekly Spotify Playlist, Fresh Hunts. Updated every Friday with all the latest releases. Whether it’s the newest drops from TF Marz, all your favorite artists, some old-school, or underground…we just want you to hear it.