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James Marriott

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For other uses, see James Marriott (disambiguation).

James Marriott
Marriott performing in London, 2024
Background information
Birth nameJames William Marriott
Born (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 (age 28)
Switzerland
GenresIndie rock
Occupations
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2012–present
Labels
Websitejamesmarriottmusic.com
Twitch information
Channel
Years active2019–2024
Followers370 thousand
YouTube information
Channel
Subscribers2.03 million[1]
Views232 million[1]
Silver Play Button100,000 subscribers
  • 2018
  • 2021
  • 2022
Gold Play Button1,000,000 subscribers2019
Last updated: 3 July 2025

James William Marriott (born 7 July 1997) is a Swiss-born English musician and YouTuber. He is best known for his 2025 No. 1 UK charting album Don't Tell the Dog. Earlier, he charted at No. 17 on the UK Albums Chart with Are We There Yet? and No. 67 on the UK singles chart with "I Don't Want to Live Like This".

Marriott was born in Switzerland but grew up in England. After uploading videos of his instrumental acoustic music, he attracted attention after diversifying into caustic YouTube commentary videos and Twitch livestreams. A debut single, "Slow Down", was released in May 2020, followed by the extended plays (EPs) No Left Brain and Bitter Tongues and his debut album Are We There Yet? in 2023. Marriott cites Foals and the Strokes as major influences and his music is generally described as indie rock.

Life and career

Early life, social media, and No Left Brain

James William Marriott[2] was born on 7 July 1997[3] in Switzerland but grew up in Buckinghamshire, England.[4] Marriott was interested in music from a young age and his father was a pianist.[5] In 2008, he began attending Aylesbury Grammar School,[6] and uploading animations online; by 2012, he had diversified into uploading videos of his instrumental acoustic work.[3][7] He went on to study modern languages at University College London, spending six months of the course in Granada, Spain, to foster proficiency in Spanish and Portuguese.[3]

While at university, Marriott attracted attention for his YouTube channel as a commentator on popular culture and music,[3] for which he attracted over two million subscribers; in an interview with Dork, he described his content during this period as "taking the piss out of other YouTubers' music".[5] In 2020, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marriott took part in a YouTube group, "the Eboys", including YouTubers Memeulous, WillNE, and ImAllexx. They hosted a podcast of the same name,[8] and Marriott later gained a following as a live streamer on Twitch.[5][9]

Bitter Tongues, Are We There Yet?, and Don't Tell the Dog

Marriott released his first single, the yacht rock-inspired "Slow Down", in May 2020,[3] though he later expressed his disdain for the song.[5] He then released the single "Him", which appeared on his January 2021 extended play (EP) No Left Brain,[10] which was more guitar-based.[3] In July 2021, Marriott released the single "Wake Up!", which GoldenPlec described as a combination of "angsty alt-rock" and indie rock,[11] and in 2022 he released the single "Grapes", a take on developing into young adulthood,[12] and then his second EP, Bitter Tongues.[5] The EP depicts his experiences with heartbreak, sexuality, love, and his creative persona on social media.[13]

James Marriott, performing with Lovejoy, 2023 at Electric Brixton

In March 2023, Marriott announced his debut album Are We There Yet?,[9] joined Jake Bugg in his Royal Albert Hall performance[14] for the Teenage Cancer Trust,[15] and supported Lovejoy on tour.[16] In May 2023, he performed at Brighton's annual Great Escape Festival,[3][5] and later that month, it was announced that he would support Lewis Capaldi in an acoustic set in June 2023,[17][18] though Capaldi later cancelled the gig due to poor mental health.[19] Marriott then released the singles "So Long" and "Romanticise This", the latter a deeply personal track about suicidal ideation.[5]

Thereafter, Marriott performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August,[20][21] at which he debuted "Don't Blame Me", which was released officially in October 2023.[22] That month saw Marriott perform his first Australian dates: two shows in Sydney and Melbourne.[23] In November, he announced dates for a UK and European tour,[24] and released Are We There Yet?,[14] whose name was taken from a regular utterance of his during family road trips and which narrates a hypothetical return to Spain.[25] It charted at number 17 on the UK Albums Chart[26] and was produced and written in close collaboration with guitarist and keyboardist Jono Suter of Marriott's live band, as well as Aleksi Kiiskinen.[7][27]

In February 2024, Marriott was announced to be playing at the annual Reading and Leeds Festivals on the BBC Radio 1 stage,[28] as well as performing on the Big Top stage at the Isle of Wight Festival later in June 2024.[29] A concert at Leeds Festival in August 2024 had to be cancelled on safety grounds due to Storm Lilian, following which Marriott was criticised for charging fans for a replacement gig at The Key Club in Leeds city centre.[30]

Marriott's indie pop single "I Don't Want to Live Like This" charted at number 67 on the UK singles chart in February 2025;[26] he stated in March 2025 that the song was the lead single from Don't Tell the Dog, an album he recorded at Big Jelly Studios in Ramsgate.[4] That month, he released from the album a further single, "Toothache", about a childhood dental problem.[31] In May 2025, Marriott launched Rodd's with content creator friend WillNE, an iced coffee brand with three flavours.[32] The third single – "It's Only Love" – was released the same month, an indie folk track accompanied by a folk horror-inspired music video,[33] followed by "Something's Wrong"[34] and finally Don't Tell the Dog in June 2025. The latter took its name from a childhood incident in which the family moved and left their dog behind[35] and topped the UK Albums Chart.[36][37]

Influences

Marriott initially "fell head over heels in love with music" after attending an ABBA tribute concert with family as a child.[38] His early guitar work was inspired by Rodrigo y Gabriela, a flamenco and metal music duo. Marriott later deemed the guitar in his music as a "priority", and said he often sits down with an Epiphone Casino whenever emotions hit.[14] In an August 2023 interview with Dork, Marriott cited the Strokes, Bloc Party, Foals, and Kelly Clarkson as influences, the latter for her "in your fucking face" vocal production, and stated that many of his inspirations came from video games he played, describing his music as "somewhere between Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock and any FIFA soundtrack between '06 and '13".[5] He also stated that he likes "having choruses that feel Sam Fender-y",[38] a name that Clash's Robin Murray used to describe his lyricism.[12]

Marriott also cites Jacob Collier as having "an interesting way of writing melodies", and wants crowds at his shows to feel like how he did when seeing Delta Sleep perform "The Detail".[39] Marriott also noted that a Dodie concert he attended "made [him] fall in love with having a string quartet over indie music".[38] Speaking to the Official Charts Company, Marriott compared his song "Denial" to Biffy Clyro's "Mountains" and The 1975's "Sex."[40] For Don't Tell the Dog, Marriott was inspired by the laissez-faire production style of Fizz's The Secret to Life.[4] James Wilkinson of AllMusic wrote that Marriott produced "Foals- and Strokes-inspired indie rock."[3]

Members

James Marriott (centre), performing at The Garage, 2023, with band members (L–R) Horsley, Gavin, Shakoori and Suter

Live members

  • Matt Gavin – lead guitar (2021–present)[7]
  • Jono Suter – guitar, keyboard (2021–present)[7]
  • Samuel Horsley – bass guitar (2021–present)[7]
  • Louis Salanson – guitar, percussion, tracks (2023–present)[7]
  • Josh Caplin – drums (2024–present)
  • Jago Shakoori – drums (2021–2024)[7]

Recording personnel

  • Matt Gavin – lead guitar
  • Jono Suter – guitar, keyboard, production
  • Samuel Horsley – bass guitar [7]
  • Louis Salanson – guitar, percussion [7]

Discography

James Marriott discography
Studio albums2
EPs2
Singles11
Music videos16

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
UK
[26] 		UK Indie
[26] 		BEL
(FL)
[41] 		IRE
[42] 		SCO
[26]
Are We There Yet?
  • Released: 10 November 2023[43]
  • Format: CD, digital, LP
  • Label: Independent
 17 2 — — 14
Don't Tell The Dog
  • Released: 13 June 2025
  • Format: CD, digital, LP, cassette
  • Label: AWAL
 1 1 80 27 1

EPs

List of EPs, with selected details
Title EP details Peak chart
positions
UK Indie
[26] 		SCO
[26]
No Left Brain
  • Released: 15 January 2021[34]
  • Format: Digital
  • Label: Independent
 — —
Bitter Tongues
  • Released:
  • 24 June 2022 (digital)[34]
  • 29 November 2024 (vinyl)[44]
  • Label: Independent
 4 14

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album Video director(s) Ref.
UK
[26] 		NZ
Hot
[45]
"Slow Down" 2020 — — Non-album single — [34]
"Him" 2021 — — No Left Brain Thomas Pearson; James Marriott [34][46]
"Wake Up!" — — Non-album single Will Dawson
"Gold" — — Bitter Tongues Ted Nivison
"Sleeping on Trains" 2022 — — James Marriott
"Grapes" — — James Marriott; Ash Kabosu
"So Long" 2023 — — Are We There Yet? Kieran Wall
"Romanticise This" — — Maya Katherine; Orr Piamenta
"Don't Blame Me" — — James Marriott
"I Don't Want to Live Like This" 2025 67 31 Don't Tell the Dog Orr Piamenta
"Toothache" — —
"It's Only Love" — 37
"Something’s Wrong" — 35

Tours

Headlining

  • Bitter/UK Tour (2023)[9][47]
  • Australia Tour (2023 + 2024)[23]
  • Are We There Yet? Tour (2024)[48]
  • Summer ‘24 Tour (2024)[49]
  • US + Canada Tour #1 (2025)
  • North America: A James Marriott Tour (2025)
  • UK & EU Tour (2025)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "About James Marriott". YouTube.
  2. ^ "Marriott James William". ASCAP. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Wilkinson, James. "James Marriott Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Race cars and recording studios: James Marriott's unconventional path to pop stardom - Dork". readdork.com. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Firth, Abigail (1 August 2023). "James Marriott Is the Biggest Dork We Know". Dork. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  6. ^ @JamesMarriottYT (18 October 2021). "i... i went there" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Caddick, Daniel (13 July 2023). "One on One: An Interview With James Marriott!". Hive Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  8. ^ O'Driscoll, Aoife (21 April 2023). "YouTuber Memeulous: 'I'm better off not showing my face'". Varsity. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Longmore, Annaleece (13 March 2023). "James Marriott: Musician exclusively reveals new album after show at Sheffield's Leadmill". ShefLive. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  10. ^ Harris, Ellie (19 February 2021). "EP Review: James Marriott – No Left Brain". Redbrick. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  11. ^ Conway, Orla (6 July 2021). "James Marriott Releases Wake Up!". GoldenPlec. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  12. ^ a b Murray, Robin (29 July 2022). "James Marriott's New Single 'Grapes' Is A Playful Take On Adulthood". Clash. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Exclusive Booking Agency for James Marriott". Wasserman. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Hansen, Susan (27 December 2023). "'This Overwhelming Feeling': James Marriott Interviewed". Clash. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  15. ^ Krol, Charlotte (23 February 2023). "Jake Bugg announced for Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall". NME. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Lovejoy - Sold Out". Electric Brixton. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Lewis Capaldi and James Marriott announce intimate gig at The Wardrobe ahead of Leeds Festival". ITV News. 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  18. ^ Skinner, Tom (23 May 2023). "Lewis Capaldi announces intimate Reading & Leeds warm-up show". NME. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Lewis Capaldi cancels intimate Leeds gig at The Wardrobe as he tells fans he needs to 'rest and recover'". Yorkshire Evening Post. 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  20. ^ Muir, Jamie (26 August 2023). "James Marriot Proves He's Main Stage Material at Reading 2023". Dork. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  21. ^ Wilkes, Emma (28 April 2023). "Mae Stephens, Cordae, Venbee and more among 20 new names for Reading & Leeds 2023". NME. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  22. ^ Taylor, Sam (20 October 2023). "James Marriott has shared a new cut from his upcoming debut album – check out break-up song, 'Don't Blame Me'". Dork. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  23. ^ a b "James Marriott Australia Tour 2023". Untitled Group. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  24. ^ Taylor, Sam (3 November 2023). "James Marriott has confirmed dates for his Are We There Yet? UK and EU tour". Dork. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Breakthrough Music Star James Marriott Talks to Dscene". Dscene. 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h "James Marriott UK Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  27. ^ Marriott, James William [@JamesMarriottYT] (11 February 2024). "Someone mention Jono Suter and Aleksi Kiiskinen as prominent writers/producers for Are We There Yet please I don't know how" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 February 2024 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Morton, Dennis (1 February 2024). "Leeds Festival 2024: Popular music festival reveal huge line-up and poster including Renee Rapp and Pendulum". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  29. ^ Johnson, Laura. "The Waeve, Noahfinnce And Beth McCarthy Join Line-Up For Isle Of Wight Festival 2024 - Stereoboard". Stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Fury as singer charges for tickets to new gig after festival appearance cancelled". The Argus. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  31. ^ Wilson-Taylor, James (20 March 2025). "James Marriott Shares New Single 'Toothache'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  32. ^ Reporter, Niamh Curran (30 April 2025). "YouTube stars enter the cool world of coffee". The Times. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  33. ^ "James Marriott has released his melancholic new single 'It's Only Love', from second album 'Don't Tell The Dog'". Dork. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d e "James Marriott Singles and EPs". Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024 – via Spotify.
  35. ^ "James Marriott: "I was trying to reinterpret attachment theory through the lens of my childhood"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  36. ^ Smith, Thomas (20 June 2025). "James Marriott Bests Oasis & Sabrina Carpenter for His First U.K. No. 1 Album". Billboard. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  37. ^ Panons, Jacob (27 June 2025). "Influencer musician celebrates topping the album chart". BBC News. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  38. ^ a b c Ross, Olivia (22 August 2022). "James Marriott: "I like the fact that there's levels to me on a public level"". The Indie Scene. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  39. ^ Warner, Emily (8 November 2023). "Interview W/ James Marriott: 'It feels like you're dipping your soul into something'!". Boot - - - Music. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024.
  40. ^ Griffiths, George (14 November 2023). "James Marriott on debut album Are We There Yet?: "I don't plan on stopping"". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  41. ^ "James Marriott – Don't Tell the Dog" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Albums, Week Ending 20 June 2025". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  43. ^ "Are We There Yet?". Spotify. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Bitter Tongues LP". James Marriott. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
  45. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  46. ^ "Music videos". Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Marriott, James William [@JamesMarriottYT] (17 January 2023). "My first tour" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  48. ^ Taylor, Sam (3 November 2023). "James Marriott Has Confirmed Dates for His Are We There Yet? UK and EU Tour". Dork. Archived from the original on 15 December 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Shows in Summer". Archived from the original on 29 July 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
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