Mark
Marshall is, for all intents and purposes, a media 'renaissance man'.
Among
his talents are those of narrator, vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist,
photographer, multimedia / print /audio / video / radio producer and designer.
He has used these talents in a wide range of both commercial projects
and artistic endeavors.
Mark
was born in New York City, and grew up throughout the greater New York
area, where he listened to the radio, sang, and taught himself piano and
guitar at home.
It
was during this time that he started experimenting with recording multiple
parts on a reel-to-reel recorder his dad had brought to their home in
the northwest Bronx.
Fast
forward through over 20 years, during which he played and sang on other
people's music sessions and live gigs... And he recorded, and recorded...
and recorded.
His
first release - New
Eye, was released in 2007 - nineteen tracks that run the gamut from
Rock to Power Pop to long-form instrumental - all composed, arranged,
performed and recorded by Mark. It was met with critical acclaim across
the board.
Now,
in 2009, Mark Marshall has begun a year-long groundbreaking project -
creating three new albums simultaneously, with an online audience
sharing in the process.
The
project, called Four For 4, is an alternative to simply releasing
and selling music. "In a time where a plain old music download is
becoming a commodity that's not worth much on the open market... I've
decided to offer the listener more", Mark says. "Not just more
digital content for money - but a chance to be behind the scenes in the
creative process, and, in a larger sense - in my creative life."
Members
of the project gain access to rough mixes and lyrics, album art in the
making, video blogs, studio diaries and technical notes, unreleased tracks
and more. And when the project is completed, they receive a whole host
of items, including hard copies of the artwork for each album, a poster,
music videos, and, in a nod to their contribution to the project - their
names will be printed on the album art.
Plus,
Mark is creating a special members-only edition of New Eye, containing
alternate mixes and previously unreleased tracks.
So
in the end, the project will result in four separate albums. Hence
the title "Four For 4".
When
asked about the reasoning behind making three separate albums, he says
"My last release, New Eye, was very well received. 19 tracks which
varied wildly in genre. Now I have always said that I don't EVER record
or write to be commercial, or to get airplay. I record what I love to
listen to. But I understand that someone who loves Rock and Roll is not
necessarily going to want to hear a techno instrumental or a pop ballad.
And seeing as I have all of these facets - Pop, Rock and Instrumental
- and listeners who like one or the other, but not necessarily all three...
I've decided to make three separate albums."
And
as for the music itself? "I've been working on tracks for the project
for a while now... some are nearly complete. And so far, they're better
than anything I've ever done... and I'm just getting warmed up."
And
listeners who have already joined the project agree.
For
more information on Four For 4, please visit the project's
homepage.
More information on Mark Marshall
is available at www.markmarshall.com
