The China Blue
Seth Mykel Marques goes by The China Blue when he’s producing, composing, and performing his music. Often described as angsty, upbeat, and electronic, his songs are unique and powerful anthems that can be enjoyed everywhere from a club to a car ride. “While I’ll always have the context of pop music as a root, I genre-bend a lot,” he explains. “Sometimes I kind of have emo-lyrical sensibilities, and I often include rhythmic roots under layers of synth.” The Massachusetts native only debuted a year ago with 2020’s EP Written In My Head, From My Bedroom, but in just that short time he’s seen significant acclaim. He’s appeared on fellow artist dev soter’s 2021 album The Dida Tapes, released three more singles, and built up a considerably large fanbase totaling thousands of listeners from London to Chicago. The artist is set the lead single off his upcoming project, “Nervous,” on April 12th! We recently spoke to the artist about the new song, his main musical inspirations, and more! Scroll down below to read our will Q&A with the artist!
How did you get started making music?
My father was a musician so I grew up always having musical instruments around the house. I was never quite good or into anything else, so around the age of 13 I bought myself a laptop and started fooling around on Garageband.
How did you come up with the name The China Blue?
I just think those words sound cool together. I always wanted my artist name not to be too grounded in reality. The China Blue is what the music sounds like. It’s my take on Pink Floyd. I didn’t know this before making it up but it’s also apparently a mixture of heroin and fentanyl if you need it to mean something.
What made 2020 the year to start releasing your songs?
I’ve been putting out some earlier ideas for the last couple of years, but I think 2020 & 2021 are the years my sound is going to be honed into something special. I feel like I’ve now reached a new maturity as a writer since releasing under this and various music projects back from 2015.
How would you describe your music to a new listener?
While I’ll always have the context of pop music as a root, I genre-bend a lot. Sometimes I kind of have emo-lyrical sensibilities, and I often include rhythmic roots under layers of synth. I like the way Alternative Pop sounds.
Did growing up in Massachusetts affect your musical style at all?
Honestly, locally I’m definitely an outlier here. I’ve come to more recently embrace and take bits from the massive punk/emo scene that’s present in Providence, RI bands, but I think I’m the only kid writing what I write around here. That’s the reason that since the conception of this project I’ve written and recorded everything essentially myself.
Walk us through a typical day in the studio.
Up to this moment I’ve produced and performed almost everything myself (writing, performing, mixing, mastering). In wanting to take The China Blue in a different direction for these next set of songs, I added on Austin, Texas-based producer & writer H3X as a frequent collaborator in my production process. Nervous will be our first release together.
If you were to create a Mount Rushmore of artists, who would be the four that you put up there?
That answer changes all the time for me but at this moment I’d have to say, Michael Jackson, Chris Martin, Sting, & Kanye.
Who are some other artists that are on your radar at the moment?
I’ve fallen in love with slowthai. He’s a huge inspiration. Also, “Medallion” by Jenevieve is my favorite song right now and I need her to release more music.
Let’s touch on the new music – unreal. Can you take us through the inspiration for “Nervous”?
I originally had an EP slated for release at the end of 2020, but I experienced such an emotional time after the end of a long-term relationship that I decided to just keep writing music cause that was the only thing keeping me sane. Two days after my breakup I wrote Nervous, recalling the moment my ex-girlfriend called me out on my body language that my intention of us speaking was ending the relationship.
Which is your favorite line and why?
"She said ‘how could you desert this?’
I hope you find your purpose but after four years I don’t deserve this.”
That was really hard to write down but it helped me get through it and I hope it helps others in a similar situation.
Do you feel your music has changed at all since you began?
I think my emotional experiences in 2020 have strengthened me and have given me the courage to say/do what I need to because I know I’ve survived up to this point. I lost a best friend, ended a long-term relationship, had financial struggles all while writing it down. Not to mention the pandemic which made things even more emotionally draining by being locked inside. But I think I’m better because of it.
What can we expect from you in 2021?
A six-song EP with this & upcoming single(s) on it. It’s my attempt at coping with these difficult last several months.
