“I See You, Mara” — Jack Garratt Breaks Down the Song That Saved Him

What if the hardest song you ever wrote… saved your life?

📞Contact us:
➡️https://www.palmtreeisland.co.uk/?utm...

In this episode of The Hardest Part: Season 2, Jack Garratt breaks down "Mara", the track that helped him reconnect with himself after the chaos of sudden success. We dive into his writing process, how intrusive thoughts became lyrical allies and the powerful story behind the song's title. You'll hear the Buddhist tale that shaped its meaning—and how production choices brought emotional depth to life. Jack shares what this song taught him about procrastination, trust, and creativity.

Could listening differently change how a song hits you?

Jack's new album 'Pillars' is out August 15th on Cooking Vinyl

Artist: Jack Garratt
Song: “Mara”
Album: Love, Death & Dancing
Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji
Engineers: Max Walker & Chris Goldsmith
Creative Team: Callum Baker, Giovanni Almonte
Recording Location: Thin White Duke Studios, London

-

00:00 – What inspired “Mara”?
01:10 – How did writing it affect Jack emotionally?
07:15 – Who or what is Mara, really?
14:31 – How did Motown shape the final sound?
18:08 – What’s Jack’s advice to fellow songwriters?

-

The Hardest Part dives deep into the most emotionally complex songs ever written. Every two weeks, host Kieron Banerji sits down with artists to unpack the creative process behind their hardest songs—exploring songwriting breakdowns, emotional storytelling, cultural influences, and moments of personal growth. Each episode ends with an intimate, stripped-back performance—raw, real, and sometimes heard this way for the first time.

Produced by Palm Tree Island, a London-based creative studio known for standout music documentaries and original voices.

Kieron Banerji is a seasoned producer and engineer based in London with extensive experience in music, media, and entertainment. He’s worked with Grammy and Academy Award winners, and has recorded sessions with Portugal. The Man, Jason Isbell, Katie Melua, Rae Morris, Jason Mraz, BROODS, Baio (Vampire Weekend), and more.

🎧 Follow the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thehardestpart?utm_...

-

#musicpodcast #songwriting #songwritingjourney