E: Mark, playing for the band Jupiter Sunrise, did you first become involved with the band with intentions of it being a successful career for you?
Mark: Of course... usually I start a band so I can be embarrassed, but this time it was all about success--sorry for the sarcasm--I think I understand what you are trying to say, and that is 'was this band a hobby or a thoughtful goal'. And the answer is that all of us upped and moved to LA to do it right. We weren't joking around and we really just wanted to be part of something special.
E: Was the band together a long time before you really saw yourselves moving ahead at all?
Mark: It took us three weeks to start the band and a month and a half later we were touring full time. We've been touring and recording ever since. The band's been together for two and a half years. We knew it was going to be serious after the first practice.
E: Has songwriting become a fairly easy process for you?
Mark: Songwriting is honestly still a mystery to me. I've developed certain techniques that work for me, but since I'm always trying to break new ground I never shake the feeling of being lost. Lately Ben and I have been collaborating a lot more and that's actually really helped me a lot. To have another opinion that I trust solves a lot of mental problems. Probably the hardest part about song writing is not coming up with ideas, but deciding which ones are worth keeping... Another ear can really help with that process. It may sound a little hokey, but I really believe that a good song is kind of channeled from a different place, whether it's just a different place in your mind or a different place in the universe. And it's the songwriter's job to let it land honestly. There is no need to force such a process. You only need to observe it. It's like being in the zone. You don't try. You just do.
E: Did you set out to write music unlike other bands out there?
Mark: No, I wanted to be John Lennon. But being different is a silly goal. Just being yourself and liking it is good enough. Too many people end up changing themselves to try to be different and then it ends up feeling insincere. Why is different so important? I think real is better. Or just good is fine. You are actually touching on a pet peeve of mine with this question. I really don't like the elitist approach to modern music anymore. There are too many preconceptions that affect the way people feel about a band before they even hear them. It has to be 'indie' or 'punk' or 'underground' or whatever before you can like it. This fear of selling out has really held some amazing bands back from their ultimate potential. And the ironic thing is that I don't even think anybody really understands what selling out is anymore. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe selling out is just allowing fear to blur the honesty of your project. Just last night a songwriter showed me a wonderful work and then displayed embarrassment because it was poppy. That makes me sad. I might never get to hear what this person is really made of. So to finally come back to your question I'd say different wasn't our goal but being great was. Hopefully we can accomplish that.
E: Several members share vocals--do you share in the lyric writing for them as well?
Mark: As a loose rule, whoever sings the lead probably wrote the lyric. Everyone else will do harmonies after that.
E: Have things picked up more for the band lately?
Mark: Oh incredibly so... we can barely keep up. I don't even know where to begin answering this question. The best way is to focus on the support we are getting from fans. It's really outrageous. Their loyalty has given us a validation that we could never receive from the industry. They have made us feel worthy. We also have to make mention of our sponsors who have gone out of their way to help us. Myspace.com being the foremost. They've given more exposure than all our other press put together. Also, ESP guitars, Everly strings, Amp Energy Drink, etc. Recently we've also gotten support from several TV and radio shows. I wish I could thank everybody, but we'd need more bandwidth.
E: Are there certain times of the year where the band is generally more active?
Mark: We tour year round, full time... so "no" is the answer, I guess..
E: Would you say there are still a lot of things you hope to accomplish as a band that you haven't done yet?
Mark: Oh yeah... we're just starting out. We still have to be the first band to play in outer space. And we haven't found a ghost yet. And playing SNL would be cool. Meeting David Bowie
E: Do you interact with your fans a lot?
Mark: I am right now actually... I've got dozens of IM's up, and I answer hundreds of emails per day... I can get crazy but I feel that the only important parts about being in a band are making great music and interacting with the fans.
E: What do you think is the most important thing for them to know about the band?
Mark: I think we just want people to feel good when they're around us and our music. The most important thing is for them to feel safe, accepted. We don't care who they are, just come hang out with us. You have a home here.
E: Well thanks a lot, man. It's been great.
Mark: No prob dude. Thank you. |
