Yohan

Just for Once

From Independent Artist to Industry Icon

By Spandan Fulkar
22nd May 2024

Reflecting on his career, Yohan shares the story behind his first song. “‘Blue & Pissed Off,’ an angry breakup song, still makes you head-bang instantly, while ‘No One Moment,’ about traveling around India and playing music, remains a crowd favourite,” he says. Writing songs came naturally to him, often driven by raw honesty and great melodies. Collaborations with lyricists Smriti Bhoker and Neeraj Patil have enriched his Hindi material, exemplified by his recent single "Jo Tu Mere Paas Hai," which Yohan describes as a simple yet vivid and timeless lyric.

Yohan’s latest release, "Just for Once," marks a departure in vibe and aesthetics. The song, inspired by a supportive relationship with his mother, serves as a reminder to never give up. "This song talks about a beautiful relationship between a supportive mother and a sensitive son. My mom, who happens to be a therapist and a great listener, would fill me with confidence whenever I felt crushed by the music scene or life in Mumbai," he recalls. Collaborating with Mali, an admired vocalist and songwriter, brought new depths to the composition, and Yohan feels privileged to have worked with her.

Defining his sound, Yohan describes it as simple, dense, cinematic, gritty, and melancholic. Influenced by bands like Radiohead, Incubus, Switchfoot, and Green Day, his taste evolved through formal music education, exposure to jazz and bossa nova, and the fusion of early influences with new discoveries. His band, The Family Cheese, blended these diverse influences, creating a unique sound. As a fan at heart, Yohan draws inspiration from various genres, including rap, hip-hop, classical, and Bollywood music.

Reflecting on his career, Yohan shares the story behind his first song. “‘Blue & Pissed Off,’ an angry breakup song, still makes you head-bang instantly, while ‘No One Moment,’ about traveling around India and playing music, remains a crowd favourite,” he says. Writing songs came naturally to him, often driven by raw honesty and great melodies. Collaborations with lyricists Smriti Bhoker and Neeraj Patil have enriched his Hindi material, exemplified by his recent single "Jo Tu Mere Paas Hai," which Yohan describes as a simple yet vivid and timeless lyric.

Yohan’s latest release, "Just for Once," marks a departure in vibe and aesthetics. The song, inspired by a supportive relationship with his mother, serves as a reminder to never give up. "This song talks about a beautiful relationship between a supportive mother and a sensitive son. My mom, who happens to be a therapist and a great listener, would fill me with confidence whenever I felt crushed by the music scene or life in Mumbai," he recalls. Collaborating with Mali, an admired vocalist and songwriter, brought new depths to the composition, and Yohan feels privileged to have worked with her.

Defining his sound, Yohan describes it as simple, dense, cinematic, gritty, and melancholic. Influenced by bands like Radiohead, Incubus, Switchfoot, and Green Day, his taste evolved through formal music education, exposure to jazz and bossa nova, and the fusion of early influences with new discoveries. His band, The Family Cheese, blended these diverse influences, creating a unique sound. As a fan at heart, Yohan draws inspiration from various genres, including rap, hip-hop, classical, and Bollywood music.

The music-making process for Yohan varies. Some compositions start with an acoustic guitar, others with a drum groove or a vocal phrase. "If I want to see an idea through, I need to put it together quickly," he explains. The initial demo, comprising basic chords and melodies, is then fine-tuned to add depth and meaning. This approach also makes him a good producer, adept at working with other artists to bring their songs to life.

Navigating the music industry as an independent artist presents challenges, particularly in finding time and space to be creative. "The day throws so many challenges in the first few hours that it's hard to write or practice. I am ruthless with saying no to things to make time," he admits. Yohan values conversations with creative people and the pursuit of creative expression over fitting into a conventional mold. His diverse skill set, acquired over years of learning and adapting, has enabled him to thrive in various roles, from drumming and singing to producing, acting, and judging.

Yohan thrives on live performances, feeling at home on stage whether playing to 5000 people or an intimate crowd of 50. "Playing an intimate set to a small crowd is like having a long, detailed conversation with friends around a bonfire," he says. "Playing a fully produced set to a large crowd requires all pieces to work together to command the audience."

Looking ahead, Yohan has exciting plans, including international collaborations, new music releases, and performances. Reflecting on his evolution as an artist, he credits session drumming and composing for other artists as significant influences on his growth. "Playing someone’s set is the fastest way to learn and feel new music," he notes. Composing for others freed him from his own limitations, allowing him to explore new genres and styles.

Yohan Marshall’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of creative expression. With each new project and collaboration, he continues to push boundaries and redefine his sound, solidifying his place as a dynamic and influential force in the world of music.

The music-making process for Yohan varies. Some compositions start with an acoustic guitar, others with a drum groove or a vocal phrase. "If I want to see an idea through, I need to put it together quickly," he explains. The initial demo, comprising basic chords and melodies, is then fine-tuned to add depth and meaning. This approach also makes him a good producer, adept at working with other artists to bring their songs to life.

Navigating the music industry as an independent artist presents challenges, particularly in finding time and space to be creative. "The day throws so many challenges in the first few hours that it's hard to write or practice. I am ruthless with saying no to things to make time," he admits. Yohan values conversations with creative people and the pursuit of creative expression over fitting into a conventional mold. His diverse skill set, acquired over years of learning and adapting, has enabled him to thrive in various roles, from drumming and singing to producing, acting, and judging.

Yohan thrives on live performances, feeling at home on stage whether playing to 5000 people or an intimate crowd of 50. "Playing an intimate set to a small crowd is like having a long, detailed conversation with friends around a bonfire," he says. "Playing a fully produced set to a large crowd requires all pieces to work together to command the audience."

Looking ahead, Yohan has exciting plans, including international collaborations, new music releases, and performances. Reflecting on his evolution as an artist, he credits session drumming and composing for other artists as significant influences on his growth. "Playing someone’s set is the fastest way to learn and feel new music," he notes. Composing for others freed him from his own limitations, allowing him to explore new genres and styles.

Yohan Marshall’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, adaptability, and relentless pursuit of creative expression. With each new project and collaboration, he continues to push boundaries and redefine his sound, solidifying his place as a dynamic and influential force in the world of music.

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