Marco Mahler was kind enough to expound upon the intricacies of his musical world. Be sure to check out Marco’s new album available at finer stores everywhere.

Marco’s website – www.marcomahler.com

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Interview:

IRR: What was the recording process like? How long did it take, had you ever done it before, what were the ups and downs of it all?

I recorded it by myself. Mostly at night. Took about a month. I've done some recording before but it wasn't with a real focus on getting an album's worth of tracks together.

IRR: What inspires a song for you, or how do you go about creating a song?

There are many different ways. Usually it happens very quick. Ten to twenty minutes for the whole song. Sometimes I have these different musical and lyrical elements floating around for a while and then they come together.

IRR: You went from the mountains of Virginia to Brooklyn while

recording, did that in anyway affect the album?

First I lived in Brooklyn, then I moved to the Virginia mountains, and then I went back again, and the elements of these two very different places starting mixing up in all kinds of ways and I think that had a strong effect on the lyrics and the music.

IRR: You have lived in both the United States and Switzerland, and have such a broad range of musical taste and influences, so how did you come about with your sound?

I focus on basic ideas, on the substance. The sound just falls into place from there.

IRR: Often times artist or bands have several "side projects" to keepthings lively and to be able to vent through different styles ofmusic, is that the case with you? If not is that something you would do if you had the resources?

Sometimes when I sit around and just play I come up with ideas that are really different or ideas that would clearly fall into a different genre. But those ideas usually seem too defined already, before I really get into them, so I lose interest and don't end up doing anything with them.

IRR: How long have you been writing songs?

I got into writing when I was sixteen or seventeen and started writing songs about three years later.

IRR: What is your music background?

I was very much into listening to all kinds music as far back as I can remember, sitting in front of the stereo and do nothing but listen. I had some classical guitar lessons when I was ten, stopped and picked it up again when I was around sixteen or seventeen. Bert Jansch strongly influenced my guitar playing. The Silver Jews freed up my songwriting. And hip-hop freed up my sound.

IRR: What were you trying to convey in this album?

I mostly made it for myself. I remember thinking that, if I would never get to make another album, that this one would stand for what I am able to do with music. Of course now I think I can do better.

IRR: How would you describe your fan base?

I keep being surprised by the wide range of people. Anywhere from a popular music blogger to my mother-in-law. I can't really narrow it down. I didn't think the album was all that accessible.

IRR: Do you have much interaction with them? Any crazy stories?

Interaction comes and goes in waves, depending on the publicity the music is getting. I love to hear how the music made a real difference in someone's life. I don't know about any crazy stories but someone told me they played my music for an Iraqi refugee currently living here in the States with his wife and kids and that he was moved to tears by it. That really touched me, and surprised me, that my music could have such meaning to someone coming out of a situation like that.

IRR: Who are some of your musical influences?

Past couple of days: The Loom, Prayers From A Makeshift Morgue, David & The Citizens/David Fridlund, Between The Pine, Sunparlour Players

IRR: Was getting to where you are, musically and professionally,

something that was a long time dream of your's, or something that just sort of sprouted up?

First it was a dream and just when I was seriously considering moving on to something else it sprouted up.

IRR: What is important to you as an artist?

To create things that I can respect in different mind frames. To come up with ideas that challenge me, where I get myself into places that I don't know, places that are fascinating to me and then somehow make it work. To have fun.

IRR: Where do you want to go musically? What are your goals and aspirations?

Somewhere I haven't been to yet. To stay there long enough to finish something and not run off to something else too soon.

IRR: If you could give one last piece of advice for those artists that are striving to be where you are what would that be?

Make the best album you can and put it out like a small label would.

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