HUMANIST

Rob Marshall (Humanist)

Rob Marshall is a British musician, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer best known as the creative force behind the cinematic, collaborative project Humanist. He rose to prominence as the guitarist for Exit Calm, and later through acclaimed collaborations with Mark Lanegan, co-writing and producing for the late singer’s celebrated solo albums.

Early Life and Career

Marshall is originally from Teesside in the North East of England, a region whose stark, post-industrial surroundings have shaped much of his artistic identity. He began his career in the shoegaze band Lyca Sleep, which evolved into the post-rock outfit Exit Calm. The band released two well-received albums and supported acts such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Doves, and The Music before disbanding in 2015.

Humanist Project

In 2016, Marshall founded Humanist, an ambitious and emotionally charged musical project blending post-punk, alternative rock, and cinematic soundscapes. The debut album, Humanist (2020, Ignition Records), featured an impressive roster of collaborators including Mark Lanegan, Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), Carl Hancock Rux, Mark Gardener (Ride), and John Robb (The Membranes). The album is published by Warp Publishing
(Warp Artist Page).

Critics praised the record for its scope and depth.
MOJO called it: “Thrilling… a stunning debut that plays like a soundtrack to a film not yet made.”
Lanegan said of Marshall’s process: “He sends me these fully formed pieces of music - very sophisticated, very intricate, very well recorded - and I basically do a vocal over it. It’s easy.”
(https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/interviews/mark-lanegan)

Second Album and Collaborations

On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World (2024, Bella Union) builds on Marshall’s collaborative blueprint, expanding both the sonic palette and emotional reach. The album includes contributions from:
• Dave Gahan
• Isobel Campbell
• Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
• James Allan (Glasvegas)
• Ed Harcourt
• Tim Smith (Harp)
• Carl Hancock Rux

The record explores themes of grief, identity, and transformation, inspired in part by Marshall’s experiences with personal loss and illness.

Uncut Magazine called it: “A lush and fearless piece of work - Marshall continues to bend darkness into light with extraordinary results.”
(Uncut Review Archive)

Chart Performance

On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World achieved strong performance on the UK independent charts:
• #71 – Official UK Albums Sales Chart
• #22 – Official UK Album Downloads Chart
• #16 – Official Independent Albums Chart
• #5 – Official Independent Album Breakers Chart
(Source: https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/humanist-on-the-edge-of-a-lost-and-lonely-world/)

Live and Recent Activity

In 2024, Humanist expanded its presence with a series of high-profile live performances:
• Supported Depeche Mode on the Memento Mori European arena tour (Clash Music)
• Main support for Jane’s Addiction on their first UK and EU headline tour in eight years (Blabbermouth)
• Sold-out UK headline tour, with packed shows in Glasgow, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, and more (Humanist Tour Page)

Collaboration with Mark Lanegan

Rob Marshall’s artistic partnership with Mark Lanegan was profound and deeply personal. He co-wrote and produced six tracks on Lanegan’s album Gargoyle (2017) and contributed to Somebody’s Knocking (2019). Lanegan’s voice also appears prominently on Humanist’s debut album, and their mutual respect shaped some of Lanegan’s most powerful later work.

In a special appearance on Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Lanegan performed one of the tracks he and Marshall had written together, introducing their collaboration to a global television audience.

Their work is also chronicled in interviews and retrospectives:
• https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/humanist-rob-marshall-dave-gahan/
• https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/mark-lanegan-gargoyle-100275/


Discography

As Humanist
• Humanist (2020) — Ignition Records / Warp Publishing
• On the Edge of a Lost and Lonely World (2024) — Bella Union

With Mark Lanegan
• Gargoyle (2017) — Co-writer/Producer
• Somebody’s Knocking (2019) — Contributor

External Links & Sources
Reviews and Ratings
• Official Website
• Spotify Profile
• YouTube Channel
• Official Charts
• Warp Publishing Artist Page


Reviews and Rating

★★★★ Record Collector
★★★★ Classic Pop
★★★★ Classic Rock
★★★★ Echoes & Dust
★★★★ FAR OUT (Album of the Week)
★★★★ ½ Music OHM
★★★★ Rock’n’Reel
★★★★ The Sun
★★★★ - XS Noize
★★★★ Buzz Magazine