The freedom to collaborate, the magic of Mexico and an unexpected song with Marshmello.
Alaska band talks about “Phoenix”his new collaboration with Marshmellothe connection they have built with Mexico and how some of the best songs are born when there are no expectations.
Throughout his career, Portugal. The Man has demonstrated a rare ability to move between genres, collaborations and settings without losing its identity. After releasing one of the most personal albums of their career, the band surprised with “Phoenix”a collaboration with Marshmello that brings them closer to new sonic territories without ceasing to sound like themselves. In conversation with John Gourleywe talked about how this alliance came about, the band's relationship with the electronic scene, their love for Mexico, the story behind their collaboration with Natalia Lafourcade and the importance of keeping creative curiosity intact.
Indie Rocks!: How did all this happen?
Portugal. The Man.: Marshmello He approached us. I have to say that I have been completely taken by surprise by the love and appreciation we have received from the electronic scene. Some time ago, Anyma made a remix of one of our songs and for me that had already been crazy. so when Marshmello writing to us about this song just felt right.
Plus, I had just finished a pretty chaotic and heavy album for us, so doing something so light and liberating felt amazing. Everything happened very quickly. Honestly I still have a hard time believing it.
GO!: You released a great album last year, but that doesn't mean you can't release a collaboration like this later. If he was the one who reached out, does it feel flattering as an artist?
PTM.: Of course. When they told me that Marshmello I wanted to do something with myself, I thought: “Marshmello Do you want to work with me? Of course.” It's funny because people expect musicians to be complicated or not interested in collaborating with other artists. I'm exactly the opposite. I love when someone approaches me wanting to create something together. It makes me very happy.
GO!: The song appears as Marshmello and Portugal. The Man Does order mean anything? Was Marshmello the main force behind the project?
PTM.: Well, look at the size of his head. He's got a huge brain inside that helmet. (Laughs)
GO!: I have to ask… did you ever see him without his helmet?
PTM: No, never. Not once.
GO!: I don't believe you.
PTM.: (Laughs) Well, yes I saw it. It's exactly how I expected it to be. You never really know what to expect when you collaborate with someone, but I had a feeling she was going to be a fun person to work with and she was.
There are people who create very special creative spaces. It also happens to me with Benny Blanco. These are people you go into the studio with for three hours, come out and think, “Did we do something? Did we record something? What happened here?”
Marshmello It has exactly that energy. It's a very special quality when you find people like that.
GO!: Are we going to treat “Phoenix” as a standalone single or could there be more collaborations in the future?
PTM.: We'll see what happens. What I can say is that as soon as we finished this song I wrote to him immediately to tell him how much fun I had. If the opportunity ever arises to do it again, I want to do it again.
GO!: And how does this work live? Portugal. Will The Man play “Phoenix” at his concerts?
PTM.: I want to do it. In fact, we almost played it this weekend when we were in Mexico. I put it in setlist and I said: “Let's play it.” Everyone looked at me like I was crazy and said, “What are you talking about? Do you want to learn the song right now?” But that's how my mind works. I always think, “Let's just do it. Why is everyone so worried?”
GO!: They were here recently and also in Live Latino 2024. They always seem to really enjoy coming to Mexico.
PTM: It's always amazing. The truth is I felt very disappointed because we had plans to play in more cities. But with everything going on in the world, rising fuel costs, canceled flights and all the logistics, it just became impossible. Still, being able to come to Mexico even for a single performance was energizing for me.
I have always said that if I had to live outside of Alaska or Oregon, I would live in Mexico. Culturally it seems to me to be one of the most exciting places on the planet.
GO!: That's not strange. Many artists end up falling in love with Mexico. Have you collaborated with Mexican artists?
PTM: Yes, with Natalia Lafourcade on our latest album. And that story is pretty special.
Before the pandemic I broke my jaw. It was an old injury that had come from when I was young. I grew up a pretty wild child: snowboard, jumping from any possible place, fighting… all that.
GO!: Were you that kind of child?
PTM.: I'm still that kind of kid. (Laughs) When I broke my jaw, my friend Joshua Rivas He sent me music in his language and told me: “Don't worry about understanding the lyrics. Just listen. It's music for healing.” I couldn't sing or do much of anything while I was recovering. Rehabilitation took almost two years.
During all that time I listened to that music constantly. And when we were finishing Chris Black Changed My Life, Natalia happened to appear in the studio. We started living together. I was with Adam Jodorowsky and suddenly he played some songs. And I thought, “My God, this is the music I've been listening to all this time.”
It was something very strange and beautiful. Additionally, she is an incredible artist, a very warm person and very kind. Before even recording together we simply spent days laughing and living together. I felt like it was something that had to happen.
GO!: The chances of meeting Natalia Lafourcade by chance are minimal.
PTM.: Exactly. It's not something that normally happens. Don't just sit down to dinner with Natalia Lafourcade any day. That's why I felt it was a thing of the universe.
GO!: Maybe it helped that you didn't even know who he was at first.
PTM: Completely. I honestly didn't know who he was until listening to his music. And I think that made everything much more natural.
GO!: In comparison, Marshmello is a little harder to ignore.
PTM.: Yeah, he definitely has a pretty big head. (Laughs) But seriously, he's the complete opposite of an ego-driven person. He is very kind, very open creatively and very generous.
I feel lucky to be able to live experiences like this.
GO!: We are the lucky ones because we hear the result. Last question: have you ever imagined that a song from Portugal. The Man could play on a EDC or in a rave giant?
PTM: Never. Even when we were making the song I didn't think about anything like that. I have a very simple philosophy with music: you can't work expecting success. I think having expectations about what a song is going to achieve is one of the quickest ways to end up making bad music.
when we finish “Phoenix” I remember listening to it and thinking, “This is weird… but I think it's really good.” And I kept thinking exactly the same thing. For me it is a very special collaboration.
GO!: Have you ever heard a song of yours and thought: “this didn't turn out so well”?
PTM: Of course. I think you also have to be able to recognize when something didn't quite work out. That's part of growing as a musician.
GO!: I'm so glad you and Marshmello made this song. Congratulations on “Phoenix” and we hope to see you back in Mexico soon.
PTM: I can't wait. I hope we return very, very soon. In fact, if I'm honest, maybe one day I'll just show up with an acoustic guitar and start playing.
GO!: It is also a great option. You don't need a huge festival. You can even play in the subway.
PTM: Completely. I'm not afraid to do that. Remember: I survived a broken jaw. I think I can survive anything.
GO!: If you survived a broken jaw, you also survived a collaboration with Marshmello.
PTM: Exactly. (Laughs)
GO!: Thank you very much for your time. We send you a hug to Alaska and much success.
PTM.: Thank you so much. Really, thank you very much. How nice to see you.
