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Q1 When did you first want to be a musician?
That's hard to say; I don't think I ever really made a conscious decision about it; it's just how I've always thought of myself for the longest time; part of the DNA. I think the idea of being a musician probably first crossed my mind when I was a little kid listening to my Dad's old Monkees records or my own Kiss records.
Q2 What can you tell us about the album "The Million Dollar Milkshake"?
Well "The M$M" is my second and latest album release. It was released on the Nippon Crown label in Japan and on the Parasol record label for the rest of the world. Again, it's hard for me to put labels on things but I guess it could be described as a somewhat retro-pop sounding record, drawing generously from influences like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and 60s-70s AM radio. Lots of guitars, vocal harmonies and some orchestration thrown in for good measure |
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Q3 How do you describe your music?
My music, like every musician’s music, is probably just some weird hybrid of everything I've ever heard filtered through my personality. In more tangible terms I guess it can be described as "pop" or "power pop" in style but I don't see it as so cut and dry. I always hear the other non-pop influences in my music as well, even if maybe others don't hear them so readily.
Q4 Do you have any mentors and if so, who are they?
I can't think of any particular mentors per say although I've thankfully had the opportunity to work with a number of talented folks. I suppose I could say I've been mentored by all the musicians whom I've either played with, loved and/or admired. That's the great thing about music, you're always interacting, growing and learning |
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Q9 Which venue do you feel your home?
My favorite venues to play as well as to see other artists in would have to be a few right here in my hometown of NYC. I really like 'The Living Room' in Manhattan and 'Pete's Candy Store' in Brooklyn. Both clubs are very intimate and focused on the music.
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Q10 What do you usually do before the show starts?
I usually just try to relax and not get too nervous. Whenever I perform I always want it to be good so as a result I think I put a lot of pressure on myself. Once we get started though, I usually have a blast.
Q11 What was your early music influences?
Funny but my earliest musical influence had to be the rock group, Kiss. They were the first band I ever really loved as a kid. I thought they were amazing!
Q12 What are your aspirations?
Long-term I'd really just like to keep making music, to keep growing as an artist and continue to stay focused on the work. Short-term, my goal is to finish this new album I'm working on called, "Queens English". Hopefully it will be complete in the early part of 2008. It's a little different than the work I've done in the past and I'm proud of the songs so I'm looking forward to getting it out into the world. |
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Downtown Girl
-The Million Dollar Milkshake-
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| When singer/songwriter/producer Mark Bacino's mother revealed to him that he was conceived to the strains of the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You," the pop songwriter's lifelong obsession with sing-along choruses, big vocal harmonies and star-spangled jumpsuits was explained. "Steeped in the sparkly, head-bobbing melodicism of classic mid-'60s pop," wrote Rolling Stone of his first effort, Mark Bacino "has yet to release a song that hits the three-minute mark." How cool is that? 'The Million Dollar Milkshake' is the latest from the man Time Out! New York dubbed Manhattan's "trad-pop wonderboy" when his small masterpiece 'Pop Job the long player!' hit the sidewalks in 1999. With new songs like "All I Want" and "How About Always," Bacino's current CD does not disappoint those listeners who reveled in the chimey guitars, swinger beats and shameless optimism of his debut. As a producer, Mark, who writes, arranges, plays guitar/drums/keys/bass and sings has been busy of late collaborating with, amongst others, famed writer/producers Peter Zizzo (Avril Lavigne/Vanessa Carlton) and Marc Swersky (Hilary Duff). Ongoing Mark continues to deftly split his time between producing music for himself and others, TV/Film composing work and writing/performing all while pursuing his personal quest for the perfect hook. |
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-Pop Job-
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Q5 What is your personal signature style?
I guess it would be that I tend to, or try to, write very concise, melodic music. Music that's hopefully immediately memorable, fresh and different yet still comfortable or familiar in some weird way.
Q6 What inspires you to create a song?
Could be anything really, something I've read, something someone has said to me, something that's happened to me first hand, a dream, a relationship. Everything in life serves as inspiration I suppose. It's all fair game in my book.
Q7 Can you describe your song writing process?
Sometimes I may have a key phrase or a thematic idea at the start but generally, for me, I start with a chord progression, whether it be on guitar or piano; then I usually marry some sort of melody line to that by using nonsense syllables/words just as place holders for the lyric/rhyme. Once I have all that sorted out I'll usually go back and write proper words. |
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Q8 Is there an artist who inspires you?
Honestly, so many artists inspire me it would be too long a litany to mention. Obviously the short-list would have to include people like The Beatles, Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson but really I'm inspired by a wide variety of artists both established and up and coming. I'm still a huge fan of other people's music first and foremost even though I spend a lot of time making my own.
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How About Always
-The Million Dollar Milkshake-
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Q13 If you could rewrite your history a bit and take on a totally different career or lifestyle, what would it be and why?
I've always though about being a writer, a novelist, maybe some fiction. I've always also wanted to be a chef or a restaurant owner or something like that. I know the reality of it is really a lot of hard work but it seems like a fun and creative career. Really whatever I'd do, music aside, would probably be based around some sort of creative endeavor.
Q14 Favorite cocktail and where to drink it?
Nothing too fancy, I'm basically a beer and wine guy. Maybe a scotch or two. And oh yeah, an occasional milkshake...
Q15 Any last words?
Don't shoot! ;-) |
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