Oh, now we’re heading to New Zealand! Let me introduce you to Marmalade, a duo of friends who have an absolute blast making music together, and you can hear it. Jem & Koen reached out to us because they noticed that IMC features indie-folk, indie-pop, and indie-rock music, and thought, "Perfect! We do all three at once!" And they were absolutely right to send us this incredible track: "Houston." Why incredible?

Simply because it features a striking contrast between its melody and its lyrics. As someone who is fully bilingual, I immediately picked up on this contrast since I understand English. But for fun, I tested the song on my girlfriend, who doesn’t speak English. She said, "Wow, this song is perfect for partying, it’s such a feel-good vibe!" Then I explained the meaning behind the lyrics, and she was floored. 

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More info and the full article can be read in our magazine on Patreon.

The song has been added to "Niko's Music Mixtape", our monthly virtual CD on Spotify.

Marmalade's take on "Houston "

This song was written from a place of feeling like you need help but don't know how to ask for it. It stemmed from a feeling of wanting to just kind of yell for support but not having the bravery to do so. I personally often feel lost in my identity and unsure of myself and feel like people listen and care for others more out of a place of convenience rather than genuine selflessness. This song was written in 2022 In a flat with a shockingly un-confrontational head tenent and was brought to life with a full band in 2023.

A bit more about Marmalade

Tāmaki Makaurau-based Marmalade are a pair of friends who write music in their living room. Swinging somewhere between clean-pop and indie-rock, Marmalade’s soaring vocals and honest lyricism float above a steady musical backbone to create a juicy jar full of sounds. Marmalade’s debut single ‘Bright’ gained traction fast after its release in June and charted at #2 on the NZ singles charts. Landing in the charts again for their second single ‘Awkward’ as well as the cover of Youtube Music playlist “Today’s Kiwi Hits”, Marmalade have hit the ground running as a new band and are well on their way to being a staple dietary requirement for the Aoteroa indie-pop-rock scene.

With their third single ‘Caffeine High’ freshly released, Marmalade are dipping your toes in a taste of what’s to come from their debut EP ‘Sober’ due to release in November. Marmalade have supported several notable acts live including Hot Potato Band (AUS), 10:32 (UK), Beach Bunny (US), French for Rabbits (NZ) and Ha The Unclear (NZ). With more shows on the horizon around the motu Marmalade is bound to make your winter cosy, and summer even sunnier.

Reach out to Marmalade

More songs from Marmalade on Spotify

Lyrics

I've been searching for myself in the mirror

Thought that Adderall might help me see just a little bit clearer

But my head’s foggy, I can't feel my body

I’m sitting alone in a hotel lobby

Waiting for someone to save me

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Do you think you would listen if it made a difference

To anyone else but you

‘Cause your head’s foggy, You think you’re somebody

You left me alone in a hotel lobby

Waiting for someone to save me

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Do you notice me sitting alone

Oh so lonely, down to my bones

And I’m four weeks, kind of sort of clean

But nobody sees me

Do you notice me sitting alone

Oh so lonely, down to my bones

And I’m four weeks, kind of sort of clean

But nobody hears me scream

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out

I'm sick of myself

Would someone tell Houston

I'm signing over and out

Somebody help me out