Non Talkers are a Portugal based band, with musical influences of pop folk, folk rock, indie pop, classic rock & pop. The band is led by a couple, singer & producer Marco Brantner & Belgium singer Evita Brantner.
Here’s what Marcohad to say,
What advice would you give to people just starting out in the music industry?
It may sound obvious, but above all, make music because you truly love it and because it feels like the art form through which you want to express yourself. That passion is what will sustain you and keep you going for a long time, even when the challenges come.
What were your musical influences growing up?
I grew up surrounded by the records my parents played at home, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, ABBA, and Queen were always in the background. Later, I secretly borrowed my older sister’s albums and discovered artists like Michael Jackson, The Cure, U2, Bon Jovi, The Police, Bryan Adams… the list goes on. All of those sounds shaped my musical taste and still influence the way I write songs today.
If you could choose from a historical gig, from any era who would you have seen and why?
There are so many that it feels impossible to choose just one. But one that really moved me, even though I only saw it on DVD, was U2’s concert at Slane Castle in 2001. The emotional state Bono was in after his father’s passing gave the performance such raw power and depth, it really struck me.
Who did you watch at your first ever gig you attended?
The first concert I went to where I actually bought the tickets myself, was Placebo at the Coliseu do Porto. I still remember the energy of that night; it really left a mark on me. It was unforgettable. I remember being completely blown away by the energy in the room and how thousands of people could be united by the same songs. It made me realize the true power of live music, and deep down I knew I wanted to experience that feeling from the stage one day.
What was the hardest obstacle you had to overcome to get to where you are now in music?
Learning to say no to people. It sounds simple, but setting boundaries and staying true to your own path can be one of the hardest things in this industry.
What was your best performance?
It’s hard to choose just one. On this tour especially, every performance has felt special in its own way. The energy and warmth from the audience have often exceeded our expectations, filling us with pure adrenaline and emotion. Each of those nights stays with us.
Do you have a moment you could share with the magazine from your previous gigs or recording experiences?
Recording in the studio can be challenging, because you want to capture the best performance possible, but often the environment doesn’t provide the right state of mind. One song where the opposite happened was You Don’t Remember Anymore. Evita was so emotionally shaken while recording the vocals that she kept breaking down in tears and couldn’t finish the take. She tried many times, and I remember we were about to give up on recording that day. But it was precisely the last take where she delivered such a genuine and heartfelt performance. Every time I think of it, I still get goosebumps, and I’m so glad we managed to capture that moment in the studio.
What’s your favourite song and why?
That’s always a tough question, because every song has its own story, and often it depends on my mood at the time. Finding Myself Again is definitely one of my favourites, it carries a deep sadness that really moves me, but at the same time feels liberating. Another would be Lovin’, a simple and straightforward song that just flowed naturally when we wrote it, and it’s always a joy to play live.
Talk us through your song writing process.
Our songwriting process has evolved over time. In the beginning, I usually came up with the first ideas, a riff, a chord progression, or a melody, and then we would work on the lyrics together. Nowadays, Evita is more and more involved right from the start, sometimes already thinking about the structure and the feeling she wants a song to carry.
Most of the time, songs begin with an emotion or a message we want to express, and then we shape the music around that. Some songs flow very naturally in one sitting, while others take months or even years to fully come together.
Why do you make music?
Because it’s the most honest way I’ve found to express myself. Music allows me to turn emotions and experiences, whether joy, pain, or doubt, into something that can connect with others. At the end of the day, it’s about communication and connection. If a song we write makes someone feel understood or less alone, then that’s the reason I keep making music.
If you could offer one small bit of advice for your past self what would you say?
I’d give myself a piece of advice that I still remind myself of today: don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the growth process, and often the best way to learn.
We’ll be back on stage in 2026. Our first scheduled concert is at the Auditorio Mar de Vigo in Spain on March 14th. It’s an incredible venue, and we’re really excited, it will also be our debut in Galicia!
