Take Two: Marilyn Hucek
In our Take Two series, Playlists & Polaroids checks back in with our past Spotlight features after a few months. If our original coverage on Marilyn Hucek inspired you to start following her career, you'd know it's been quite the journey for her! Just this February, Marilyn was touring the east coast in support of her self-titled debut album; P&P had the privilege of attending and photographing the Philadelphia show. Fast-forward to now, Marilyn has released two new songs, "Self Destruct" and "Animal House," which lead to an EP release next month - but that's not all. The rising singer-songwriter will appear on the current season on NBC's The Voice, and she has our vote for sure!
MARILYN introduced the singer to audiences, spearheaded by the deeply personal "Neil Young," a commentary about women's societal expectations in "Pressure Makes Diamonds," and a more upbeat track about romantic tension, "Love To Hate You." This record also allowed her to share her Chilean heritage on "Me Salvasta La Alma," as well as insight on following her dreams and forging her own path in doing so on "I Made It."
Now, Marilyn is stepping outside her comfort zone, with each new release revealing more sides to her artistry that we hadn't seen before. Her current EP cycle started with the cinematic, significantly darker lead single and title track "Self Destruct," and continues with the vivacious "Animal House," which compares a night in an LA club to a wildlife scene. While MARILYN follows the formulas of radio-friendly pop, Self Destruct is free-spirited and experimental, bringing in rock and alternative elements. This new sonic direction coincides with her TV debut on The Voice, where we cannot wait to follow her journey. As she began this current chapter, we had the privilege of chatting with Marilyn - keep reading for an insightful interview with the rising star!
YOU’LL LOVE MARILYN HUCEK IF YOU LISTEN TO: Paramore, Michelle Branch, Taylor Swift, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Phoebe Bridgers, Billie Eilish
When many fans think of Marilyn Hucek, they think of vulnerable, emotional tracks such as “Neil Young.” What inspired you to create something more energetic and in a different vein than anything we’ve heard from you before?
I think it’s really been a process of healing for me. Writing my own songs has always been therapeutic. From the very beginning, I started writing because I needed a way to process my emotions and make sense of what I was going through. My debut single was written in honor of my dad, and since then, I’ve made it part of my mission to use my platform to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s. That will always be an important part of my story and something I care deeply about, but it’s also been a journey of healing for me.
I feel like I’m at a point now where I’m ready to explore the other sides of what I have to offer and show the duality that exists within me. I can be sensitive and vulnerable, but I can also be bold, confident, playful, and energetic. Friends and fans who have met me in person can definitely attest to that, and now I’m getting to express that side of myself through my music. I’m really excited for this new layer of my artistry and I hope my fans are excited to discover it with me.
In general, are you more of a staying in or going out person? Was the night out that inspired “Animal House” a rare occurrence for you?
I think it depends on the phase of life I’m in. I definitely had a clubbing phase in my early twenties, but these days I’m much more of a staying in person. I’d rather have a house party, go to a show, or have dinner with friends. That night was definitely a rare occurrence for me. I had almost forgotten what it was like to be in a club, so being back in that environment was pretty jarring. Being in a new city and experiencing the LA dating and nightlife scene also gave me a completely different perspective. Sometimes those unexpected experiences leave the biggest impression on you, and that’s where “Animal House” was born.
Tell us more about how this particular night went! What about it reminded you of a wildlife documentary?
I was basically the wing woman for my two single girlfriends, and I started noticing how all the guys were flocking toward them. Because I wasn’t really participating in the dating scene myself, I had more of an observational perspective. I remember thinking, “This is like watching a wildlife documentary.” I felt like David Attenborough observing the animals in their natural habitat and documenting my findings. It was this funny, slightly chaotic glimpse into the LA club scene, and I thought it would be such a fun concept to turn into a song.
How would you describe the nightlife scene in LA as compared to your hometown of Washington, DC?
I don’t usually go clubbing anymore, so I’m probably not the most qualified nightlife expert! I definitely prefer house parties, shows, or going out to dinner with friends. But from what I’ve experienced, people definitely stay out much later in LA. There’s a very different energy to going out there, and I think that was part of what made the experience so memorable for me.
What came first in the creative process of “Animal House” - lyrics, melody, or production? Tell us more about how the song came to be and evolved into what it is today!
The lyrics and melody came first. I had a rough idea for the concept and brought it into a writing session with my co-writers, where we took those big picture ideas and built the song from scratch. My friend and co-writer Megan had just come back from Stagecoach and was really inspired by all the rock music she had been listening to over the weekend, so that definitely influenced the direction we started moving in. We were all bouncing ideas off each other, and the song almost felt like it wrote itself. After that, I brought it to my producer and told her I wanted to take it somewhere edgy and a little darker. We added gritty guitars and synths to give it this almost spooky quality. I wanted the production to capture the feeling of that hazy, foggy basement nightclub where the song was born.
What big artists would you consider your dream collaborations or co-writes?
Thinking out loud, because “Animal House” was inspired by the club scene, I think it would be really fun to have someone like David Guetta remix the track. I’d love to hear what a DJ could do with it and actually hear it played in a club. That would feel like a really fun full circle moment for the song.
In what ways does the direction and theme of your upcoming project differ from your self titled debut album?
The next project is definitely a little darker. If you like a little grunge, I think you’re going to appreciate it. MARILYN was really about giving listeners an intimate, introspective introduction to who I am and how I think. With this next EP, I feel like I’ve already invited people into my world and given them a sense of where I come from and what I’ve been through. Now I’m giving myself more freedom to take creative risks and explore different perspectives. Not every song is directly autobiographical. Some are observational pieces, and others were inspired by movies, books, or just ideas that grabbed my attention. I’m really excited to show people that side of my creativity.
And finally, the P&P classic! What’s one of your favorite lyrics from “Animal House”? Walk us through the process of yourself writing it, and tell us how it speaks to you personally!
“Finally out of the cage and I’m feeling my fate, take the bait, gotta mind like a snake, you’re a catch so you better prey.” I love the play on words, the rhythm, and the rhyming scheme. There’s something about the way all of those words fit together that just feels really satisfying to sing. I also love that the lyric captures the whole concept of the song. It plays with this idea of people behaving like animals when they’re out in the dating world, while also turning the language of attraction and hunting into something playful and a little sinister. It just feels so good to sing, and I think it’s one of those lines that really captures the personality of “Animal House.”
P&P is endlessly grateful to have witnessed Marilyn's artistic evolution over the past few months. We wish her all the best as she takes on The Voice! We cannot wait to see which coach's team she picks, or to listen to the Self Destruct EP. In the meantime, here’s a playlist we’ve curated to capture Marilyn's current vibe!
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