Austin artist Craig Marshall lives by a maxim: “You’re only as good as your next song.” On his sixth album and third solo release, Point of View, Marshall stands confidently in the pantheon of pop songwriting in the vain of Aimee Mann, Neil Finn and Freedy Johnston. While best known as the crooning front man and creative force behind The Lucky Strikes -- a Sinatra style swing band that predates the resurgence of the 90’s -- Marshall now emerges as prominent figure in the pop scene.
Like his preceding solo albums, the ten songs on Point of View are smart and infectiously catchy. Marshall has previously established himself as a tunesmith capable of radio-friendly pop that has caught the attention of his songwriting contemporaries. He’s penned songs for artists as diverse as Adult-Contemporary favorites The Kennedys to Austin country rock crooner, Penny Jo Pullus. More notably, Trish Murphy has recorded “I Don’t Want to Believe” on her Girls Get in Free and Tony Scalzo (Fastball) plans to record “Radio Girl.” The latter included on Point of View could be a lost cut from the film That Thing You Do.
Still, Point of View shows Marshall stretching his creative muscle. While his previous solo records boast Producers Darin Murphy and Darwin Smith respectively, here Marshall slips into the producer’s seat and clearly demonstrates that his creative ability doesn’t stop at the lyric sheet. The arrangements are succinct and appropriately lush, yet dynamic. Moreover, Marshall shows he can playfully veer from traditional arrangements and songs like “Lost in Space” and “When the Camera’s On You” seem comfortable in an approach that puts this record in line with current indi-pop albums.
Marshall’s albums boast an array of musical notables: Popular Crimes features performances from George Reiff, Tony Scalzo, Billy Harvey and Ron Flynt (20/20), and Before the Fadeaway, Trish Murphy, Kevin Lovejoy (Spoon, John Mayer). On Point of View, Marshall has honed his core band using mainstay musicians Jon Notarthomas on guitars and vocals, John Thomasson (Matt Nathanson) on the bass, and Jeff Botta on drums.
What is notably clear, in a genre bloated with stylistic imitators, is Marshall’s authentic love of song—and that he’s no frivolous wanna-be pop artist. In “When the Camera’s On You,” Marshall suggests that the camera not only catches the picture, but has unwittingly exposed the vulnerabilities of the subject as well. Similarly, Point of View reveals a deeper perspective of Marshall’s roots. His use of melodic “McCartney-esque” sensibilities is natural and inviting, and layered harmonies evoke a love of the Beach Boys and The Bee Gees. Several of his songs are reminiscent of pop music icons, yet critics have been unable to define Marshall’s sound citing artists as diverse as Richard X Heyman, Badfinger, Marshall Crenshaw and XTC. Still, despite hints of time-honored bastions, the album defies pigeon-holing and a contemporary approach in the production puts this record in line with current pop albums.
Marshall is about as prolific as any in the Austin area. Having moved to Texas from New York 1991, Marshall has been the primary songwriter for all his creative projects including the Delta Rays, The Lucky Strikes, The Waulkins and of course, his current solo career. He has been featured in Austin’s prestigious SXSW music festival and has been invited regularly to the International Pop Overthrow in LA, Chicago, New York and Liverpool, England.
Tour dates, mp3s, and more are available at: www.craigmarshall.com
Buy Craig Marshall's new album "Point Of View" here:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/craigmarshall3
This Sunday October 25th starting at 7pm, Will Dunlap will be hosting the open mic at the Waterloo Icehouse on 38th and Medical Parkway, bring your Instrument(s) and some songs! See you there!
Hey Craig, How are you? I hope all is well. This Sunday starting at 7pm is the open mic at the Waterloo Icehouse on 38th and Medical Parkway, I hope to see you there, take care.
yo, what up. im still hittin you up cuz you don't visit on a regular basis. anyway, these are the shirts from that "I'M ON IT" video that we have for sell. we got colors to match your school, organizations, new jays, whatever. we got limited quantities of each so hit us up ASAP. and if you don't see the colors that you want, hit us up with those colors and we will see what we can do.
Available Colors:
5th Flow - "I'M ON IT" is available on iTunes, Amazon, and wherever MP3s are sold. Holla at us.
The DarkSyde Show, October 9-10 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts!
The DarkSyde Show, a Pink Floyd repertory company, celebrates Pink Floyd’s entire career, with live performances of the band's legendary music, including Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. The nine-piece band performs faithful renditions of the music, accompanied by a professional production of dazzling lights and multimedia.
CHECK OUT THE NEW REMIXES OF BEYONCE AND JAZMIN SULLIVAN AND SOME WORK IVE DONE FOR PEOPLE. RIGHT NOW IM SELLING HOT TRACKS FOR $150 EACH, HIP HOP, RNB, POP, REGGAETON, ETC SO HIT ME UP ASAP AND GIVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO I CAN SEND YOU SOME SNIPPETS. BEATS ARE GOING FAST.
This Sunday July 26th, starting at 7:00pm there will be an open mic at the Waterloo Icehouse on 38th and Medical Parkway. Also we will be celebrating Will Dunlap's Birthday! So come on by and join the fun!
This Sunday July 26th, starting at 7:00pm there will be an open mic at the Waterloo Icehouse on 38th and Medical Parkway. Also we will be celebrating Will Dunlap's Birthday! So come on by and join the fun!
Traci
