Marshall Black A few words with Marshall Black, the front man of the one man band Marshall Black. Marshall plays guitar, drums, bass, percussion, sings and plays a little synth. LB: Tell us a little about yourself. Marshall: I have been in many bands through high school including, Abaddon, Simplex, Elixer and a band called Fathom (briefly). After you get to a point when all your friends move away and you work 12 hour shift work it begins to get hard to play with a band. In 2006 I had the idea to release a solo CD and that's how Marshall Black as a band happened. LB: How did you start out making music? Marshall: I started making music much like any kid really; in the basement with a crappy guitar and an amp that sounds like it's submerged in water. I wrote my first song in grade school and it was called Stay Away, anxty really. I’m not sure how I remember that. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Marshall: I have an incredible musical memory, which is interesting because I didn't really listen to music until I was in the beginning of high school. I remember songs my father used to sing to me when I was a child. My brother used to listen to Nirvana and Weezer, Bush and a lot of the grunge era bands which turned me right onto these kinds of bands. Once in high school the Nu Metal Era was in full swing and I found myself listening to bands such as Staind, Korn, Linken Park... Recently I've been getting into some new alternative music, Dodos, Metric, MGMT, Mother Mother or anything cool really. 102.1 Edge radio... if they play it I'm ok with it. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Marshall: This CD is really cool because it wasn't rushed... this is what happens when you just have three years to naturally put everything you feel into words and spill it onto paper, or in this case, Paper Cups. It features a really cool part of the CD called "The Later Night Recording Sessions" where all the music you hear was recorded when every one in my house was sleeping between about midnight and 04:00am. It gives it a unique sound. LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Marshall: Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time to play all the shows I want to. I have some upcoming shows in Canada around where I live which is near Toronto, Ontario. I love to joke with my audience, I love to create an imaginary world where the only thing that exists is sound. I love to just close my eyes and pretend that nothing exists except my audience, my sound and me. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Marshall: I love the creative aspect. I love how at first there is not even a blank canvas... there is nothing, only air. A person does what they do to make that air vibrate in a way that it appeals to other people, there are absolutely no rules! As long as what you are using to make the vibrations vibrates then it's music. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Marshall: If you want to listen for free then get outta here... just kidding. I do have links where you can listen to my music and get a feel for what I am about. Also get updates for tour dates. There is a face book page for people to become a fan and you can by my CD at CD Baby or buy my music on ITunes… just search for me. Links below. www.myspace.com/marshallblackunplugged www.facebook.com/marshallblackunplugged www.cdbaby.com/marshallblack