Add to My Profile | More VideosReview by Penni Gould - Truncated in PHILADELPHIA CITYPAPER -........................New Age Electronic Rock, Jazz Didgeridoo? Those of you who understand “didgeridoo” will question how this ancient aboriginal instrument could possibly be converted into an electronic New Age Rock revelation. Just ask “mark d”(Mark Difilippo) an innovative didgeridoo-playing prodigy who has been reinventing the instrument for many years.
I first experienced this festival of sight and sound in the Red Room at the Society Hill Playhouse on 8th Street in Center City Philadelphia where mark d (all lower case, please!) had been commissioned to exhibit his “didgeridooing” genius as an opening act for a new musical being presented at the theater. As he began, my companions and I were awestruck. All conversation ceased…our attention transfixed on mark’s digital, oral, and physical dexterity as he infused himself into the complexities of his technique (“circular breathing”- in through the nose, out through the mouth)...stacking layer upon “multi-harmonal” layer onto his alienesque equipment…engineering a musical construct of intricately woven percussion and primal chant using only his lips, teeth, mouth, vocal chords, tongue and homemade didgeridoo.
One creation flawlessly transitioned into a new one as mark eclipsed and illuminated one perfectly coordinated concerto after another. The ear candy that resulted was at once both exquisitely rich and intoxicatingly spicy, elevating us into a world of haunting harmonic rhythms and jungle jazz coordinations. We were reborn on mark d’s planet where 50,000-year tradition meets woodwind/nouveau tech fusion.
After his performance sadly ended, we stayed and watched the musical to which we had originally been attracted (it was quite good, by the way). But as we attempted to immerse ourselves in the show, we realized we could never be fully extricated from the all-encompassing memory of mark d and his astonishing didgeridoo.
You’ll love this guy!
You’ll adore his sound!!
You’ll revel in his uniqueness!!!
GO SEE HIM!!!!
Influences
Graham Wiggins aka "Dr. Didj",
Xavier Rudd,
Keller Williams,
the Grateful Dead,
Phish,
Thich Nhat Hanh,
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet,
the Buddha Shakyamuni
Hi, I'm markd. I am a primarily self taught didjeridu and percussion player whose created a didj style unlike anything heard elsewhere in the world. I'm a musical alchemist experimenting with the old and the new, the primitive and the modern, the primal and the technological. I merge primordial soundscapes and beats from the didjeridu and various ethnocentric percussion instruments with live sampling, digital processors, haunting vocal harmonies, and transcendent lyrics. The meat of my performances are completely improvisational and off the cuff - layer upon layer of my musical birthday cake being created as you listen. That being said . . . .
I hit the Philadelphia music scene some three years ago to a very warm welcome and massive support. In my first 6 months in Philly, I played with the likes of Jersey's own BOHEMIAN SUNRISE at the North Star Bar, Philly's World Music Masters ANIMUS at Plush, and KATIE BARBATO at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since then, I have graced the WORLD CAFE LIVE main stage numerous times as well as the stage upstairs. Most recently, being a finalist in CREAM! The Best of Philly Rising Annual Competition. I have joined Dialects, Yellowbrain, the Bruce Torres Band, Fusion Riots, The Fantastic Nothing, the Jug Band, and a vast number of notorious Philly music geniuses at venues such as Abilene, the Pontiac Grille, Lickety Split's, Fergies Pub, the AquaLounge, the Fringe Festival late night Caberet, and many other music friendly venues. Most recently, I have played solo and joined friends at the Ab n' Jax Festival and the Endless Summer Jam in New Joizy and the Dancing Wu Li Festival in Moorestown, PA. I recently recorded with the amazing DAVE CAHILL and appear on his most recent record "The Huddled Masses"
My purpose is as follows:
I want to share positivity, love, and enlightening lyrics in conjunction with experimental, forward thinking, envelope pushing beats, sounds, and music with the masses. I want to make your booty shake, your heart break, and your soul quake! I want people who hear my music to dance in unimaginable ecstacy while their souls take off on a journey of beautiful, awakened joy! Is that too much to ask?
In the end, I hope my music will make you smile and maybe think a little bit about the state of your existence.
thanks
metta
markd
markyD** we miss you~~ connect with us when you n gracie make way up here to spend time with your family for the holiday~~~ time to catch up** you are both misssed~ and please send christy our love as well when you see her**
I am not too sure where we might know each other... I will send you those pics. Ok to post them on this page? you can also see them on my facebook, but I did not post the pic of your daughter on facebook. You guys were really cute dancing together!!
hah:) I was at Krissy and Paul's on Saturday night. Krissy is my cousin. I was really enjoying your music so looked you up today. Hope that's not too stalkerish! I also have some good pics of you playing and one of your daughter hola hoopin'! I can send you them if you want. Some are up on facebook too if you're on there.
spring greetings man..i didn't catch you at previous summer jams but looking forward to hearing you and doing some jamming at this year's. what you're doing here is great, and youve got a good vibe with it so cheers
ElectricUs has added a brand new song "FIVE SIDES TO SLEEP". It is still an unfinished rough mix, we are looking for some feedback, so if you have some spare time we'd appreciate you giving a listen. Thanks soundman mike
would love love love to visit with you.....it's been too long. how have you been feeling?
business is going well....much more action lately, life too, been keeping busy with malachi and creating ;) i am so excited to see malachi's face on christmas morning.....it's the first year he'll really be into it, so it's sure to be a wonder~full day.
lots of love to you and that lil' lady, please give us a call so we can set something up
Ok, so, after watching the video on your page, aside from my heart chakra being blown ENTIRely open...I am totally inspired and think that we have the ability to create some magical healing music. NAMASTE, Mark d.
