When Marshal Turner isn’t in the library for his latest exam, the VCU junior is rocking out the bass with Nesta, a reggae-southern soul band. Hailing from Yorktown, Va., the 20-year-old mass communications creative advertising major gives us the scoop on how he juggles school and being in a band. Get to know Turner, for you may end up at one of his shows this fall!
Life
What brought you to VCU?
I used to sneak here during high school and every time I came, it felt like there was something about the city that kept me coming back here. When I got into VCU there was no question I was coming to Richmond. The fact that I got into the school was a huge deal.
What are you studying?
I’m a mass communications creative advertising student. I don’t know what I’m doing with my major but it depends on where the music takes me. My major helps me with it. We’re (the band) independent and don’t have a label helping us communicate with people.
What are your hobbies?
Music, hiking and doing outdoor things makes me happy. That’s pretty much my life in a nutshell.
Do you collect anything?
I used to collect beer caps. Now, I collect African art and 1950’s African-American jazz art.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I do not have a girlfriend at the moment.
What’s your favorite food? Favorite restaurant?
Food Craft in Newport News. I get pancakes with a side of french fries. I wrap the french fry with the pancake and dip it.
Music
What is Nesta?
An indie reggae band that is based out of Richmond.
What genre is Nesta?
We had a heavy reggae sound at first. The more we play, the less it sounds like reggae. We’re really getting into this punk/indie Richmond scene.
How did Nesta come about?
I used to work at an academy of rock music. I taught bands and a singer named Nick Wade came in. The guy that ran the academy of rock said I should join this band but I didn’t want to because I was lead guitar for a different band. I went to one of their practices and quit my job and the other band. We were called Sundog, a tribute band for Sublime. Members went in and out; it took two years for us to do original music — me, Ben Bennis, Nick Wade, Drew Franks and Ron Lowder. Bob Marley’s middle name is what we named the band after.
What has Nesta been working on recently?
We’ve been working on our album. It came out on Oct. 15. We have also done shows at Shakkas Live in Virginia Beach and The Camel. We’ve played sold out shows before but this album is our trophy. It’ll be on Spotify and iTunes soon.
Do you ever get nervous before a performance?
Usually not, but thinking about a show beforehand is a weird nervous. I’m not nervous about the music, it’s a nervous because it’s what I want to do with my life. It’s weird to think people are actually coming to hear our music. Why are these people here? I don’t get it. I don’t see why people would go out of their way to see us, but it makes me happy.
Do you play any instruments?
I play electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, trombone, tuba and the ukulele. Bass is my specialty. I’ve played guitar since I was in the second grade. The first song I learned to play was either “Hey There Delilah” by The Plain White T’s, “Iron Man” by Ozzy Osbourne or “Zombie” by the Cranberry’s.
Is your family musical?
My whole family was musical. My parents both played saxophone. My oldest brother did too, as well as the clarinet. My oldest sister played percussion and drums. My younger older sister played trumpet. There was always music in our house. Jimi Hendrix was something my dad would play for me.
Who are your favorite musicians?
Jimi Hendrix, Sublime, Rage Against the Machine and Kid Cudi.
What has been your favorite moment with Nesta?
Earlier this year we played at Shakkas. I noticed that a lot of people in the crowd were singing along. It was pretty surreal I almost had to stop playing.
Is there a particular city that you enjoy playing in most?
Richmond of course. It’s definitely home. It feels like we’re playing to a home crowd. Playing back home is cool, but in Richmond we’re doing what we want to be doing.
How do you balance your music with other obligations like school and work?
It was never too hard. I always go back to Newport News on Sundays to the studio to work on music. I’m at the library all the time but I’m also practicing all the time. I know how to say no to things. It’s manageable and I’ve been doing it for long enough.
All photos by Chelsea Schmidt