Thirty-three-year-old artiste, drummer and music producer Yohan Marshall’s latest song, Just for Once, seeks to serve as a "guiding voice during your toughest moments.” The "cinematic pop ballad,” which combines "singer-songwriter elements with orchestral grandiosity, is crafted for those moments when one feels like throwing in the towel,” wrote Marshall in an email interview followed by a phone call on June 19, 2024. "Just for once, would you believe that you, you can do anything,” sings Marshall, urging listeners to break free from limiting beliefs to reach their full potential.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, he stated, "Where but in the grip of fear should you summon courage? Where but at your lowest point should you be looking up? Where but at the point of being lost should you find the way? The song is a reminder that anything is possible if you never give up.”
Yohan Marshall (right) with
Maalavika Manoj (Mali)
Marshall with wife Jaisha Sabawala
Before attending music school, he was interested in alternative, rock and punk music. His horizons expanded to include jazz, hip-hop, funk, R&B (rhythm and blues) and bossa nova (a new wave blend of samba and jazz). "As an artiste and music producer I am always looking out for new sounds, genres and artistes to learn from,” he says.
Collaborating with singer Maalavika Manoj, known as Mali, on Just for Once was a high point for Marshall. "Mali is one of the finest independent English artistes in India and collaborating with her was fabulous. I have always admired her work… As a songwriter, I observe the narratives that artistes speak of and the truth that shines through all their work. I am so happy that Mali and I could deliver the beautiful and uplifting message together.”
Ahmedabad-born Marshall has written and composed 40 songs over the past decade, he says. Some were released under his individual name or under the band name, "The Family Cheese,” and for other artistes. "I am an artiste, session drummer and music producer. My other band, Marshall & the Mischief, has played at every major venue and festival in the country,” including at Bollywood/Hollywood diva Priyanka Chopra’s wedding (see "Playing for Priyanka,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, December 21, 2018-January 6, 2019). As a drummer, he has toured globally with playback singer Arijit Singh and comedian Vir Das. He is the owner and music producer of Bombay’s Counter Point Music (studio), where he produces music for videos, advertisements and other musicians. He has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine in 2024.
Marshall’s musical influences range from pop and blues to alternative, experimental rock bands. "Although some of my favorite artistes are John Mayer, Radiohead and The Beatles, I love all sorts of music.” Musicians such as band-mate Homi Rustumji and friends Shara Sethna, Kyrus Sethna and Nina Sethna "have supported me hugely in my journey and I have worked on several video projects with Shara who has studied film and is an editor.”
Married to Jaisha Sabawala, they met in Ahmedabad during ZAGA (Zoroastrian Awareness Group of Ahmedabad) events. They lost touch as Marshall went to music school and Sabawala to study law. "About 14 or 16 years later, when I was performing in Poona, I spotted her in the crowd and we had a lovely conversation after the show,” he recalls. They remained in touch during the lockdown and later began dating. "We kept (our feelings for each other) a secret from our parents at first… We have extremely loving, supportive and liberal parents… We knew they would be extremely happy that we were together and would want us to get married.” They married in Mt Abu. Jo Tu Mere Pass Hai (If you are with me), one of his most streamed tracks, is dedicated to Sabawala and features actual footage from their wedding.
Yohan’s father Rustom is a senior advocate in the Gujarat High Court, while mother Nishmin, who studied and practiced law, now works as a therapist-counsellor. Sister Rhia, also a lawyer, is a partner in an economic laws practice in Bombay. Yohan’s grandfather was the late Dr Ratan Marshall, special officer of the Surat Parsi Panchayat.
Laila Bacha