Etta Marcus (born 26 January 2001) is an English singer-songwriter from London, England.
Early life
Marcus was born in Brixton, South London. She began playing the piano at the age of 8 and moved on to guitar when she was 10. Marcus began studying jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in her native London, but was kicked out during her first year. She then decided to dedicate her full attention to her own music.[1]
Career
Marcus released her debut single, "Hide & Seek", in October 2021,[2] gaining a cult-like following soon after its release.[3] She then released a second single, "Salt Lake City," a collaboration with Matt Maltese. These tracks would go on to form part of her debut EP, View from the Bridge. (2022) After being signed to Polydor Records, Marcus released "Crown",[4] a song characterised by its distinct riff on the electric guitar, marking a shift from the dreamy, ethereal sound of her earlier music. "Crown", along with four other tracks, featured on her EP Heart-Shaped Bruise. In 2023, Marcus opened for Lana Del Rey in London.
Her debut album, The Death of Summer and Other Promises, was released in January 2024. Marcus promoted this album through a UK tour of the same name.[5]
Moving onto her second EP Heart-Shaped Bruise (2023), Marcus was influenced by Radiohead and The Strokes.[10] A particularly "upbeat" track "Smile for the Camera" drew upon Fountains of Wayne,[11] a band Marcus claimed do not "get the respect they deserve".[12] Creatively, Marcus echoes Lorde and Tyler, the Creator.[13]
Critics have compared Marcus to Lana Del Rey, Mazzy Star and Fiona Apple, primarily due to her aesthetic and small yet active fanbase.[3]
