Growing Pains – By Marlo Gaukroger
Marlo Gaukroger
Murray Arts
Marlo Gaukroger, or ‘marlo jean’, is a young, multi-talented artist with a keen interest in exploring their unique experiences through their craft with the hopes for someone else to feel recognised, seen, or understood.
Born and raised in Albury, Marlo has always had a passion for songwriting ever since they were little. With a natural knack for singing, their parents recall Marlo as a child putting on ‘performances’ for family and friends, completely improvising lyrics and melodies. Now, Marlo uses that talent as the starting point of their songwriting process, playing around with chords on their guitar and finding the words as they go.
Marlo’s writing focuses on their personal experiences, particularly surrounding their social life. Having gone undiagnosed as autistic for several years into high school, Marlo faced many struggles with fitting in and making friends, and now shares those experiences in order to reach those who are now in that same position.
Marlo’s inspirations include Dorothy Miranda Clark, or ‘dodie’, and Robin Daniel “Robbie” Skinner, or ‘Cavetown’. Both artists have elements of indie pop, with dodie’s work often being upbeat with sombre lyrics, while Cavetown’s work varies between indie rock and bedroom pop. Marlo takes great influence from both their lyricism and especially Cavetown’s simple string accompaniment in earlier releases.
Links
Marlo on stage
Artwork description
Growing Pains, 2024, written and composed by Marlo Gaukroger, Written in 2022 reworked in 2024
Artist Statement
Marlo’s song “growing pains” was written in September of 2022 and revised over time. The song was written as a response to the turbulent experience of approaching graduation; the conflicting emotions of the relief to leave this place, and a desperation to return to normalcy. The song briefly touches on the dissonant experience of growing up, referring to “monsters in the dark”, while not engaging in more ‘adult’ behaviours, such as drinking.
The lyrics focus on the social aspect of leaving school, particularly the relief as “the nightmare’s finally over.” Despite this hostile stance, the lyrics continue to express a deep concern for their peers, with the repeated motif of people “slipping away” during and after graduation and begging their friends to “be careful” as they enter this new, uncertain world.
The bridge’s lyrics were adjusted slightly in the lead-up to the showcase to better emphasise the point of the song; “nothing’s gonna be the same [but] let’s pretend […] i’ll see you tomorrow.”