Mark Bacino Official Blog: "QE"

Look Ma!

2012-01-10T01:00:00.006-05:00

Flop of the World...

Thought I'd kick off the new year on a positive note and share some hot-off-the-press music. See below for the self-doubting, tongue-in-cheek title track to my (some time in the distant future) new album, "Flop of the World".

(Yes, music journos, I know the title's a "gimme", snark away).

Produced by yours truly and my musical director of some 38 years, Jay Sherman-Godfrey, "Flop..." will be streaming here on the Blog for your listening pleasure through 1/22/12.

Lyrically speaking, the writing for this new album seems to be shaping up as kind of a loose exploration in perspective (one man's ceiling..., etc) and how it relates to our definitions of "success/failure", whether it be in life or in love.

Musically, the record looks as if it might turn out to be a mingling of French Quarter-infused, music hall romps and "Million Dollar Milkshake"-era powerpop jams. Sounds odd? Possibly so. But maybe it's all in the way you look at it.

XO,
-mb

Mark Bacino - "Flop of the World" by markbacino

Flop of the World

Flop of the world,
Flop of the world
Looking up at the bottom
Even the Japanese forgot him
Flop of the world…

”Don’t change you’re beautiful, each song’s a hit
Just try and lay off of that 70’s bit.
Think something edgy, outside the box
How ‘bout some hip hop, or some classic rock?”

Flop of the world,
Flop of the world
Looking up at the bottom
Even the Japanese forgot him
Flop of the world…

Does this sound hipper?
Angry and lean
Should I try screamin’?
I’m not that mean, it’s not my scene...

Maybe it's true, maybe I’m not that great
Even this melody is second rate
Just a legend in my own mind
Soon flipping burgers for the take-out line…

Flop of the world (look Ma!),
Flop of the world
Looking up at the bottom
Even the Japanese forgot him
Flop of the world

Flop of the world
Flop of the world…

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

To Stream or Not to Stream

2011-08-17T21:37:00.006-04:00

So I received my free trial Spotify invite a few weeks back. After several sleepless nights of obsessive listening, I slapped my $10 down and subscribed to the service. At this point I'm pretty addicted. Honestly, I haven't listened to music with this much excitement or frequency since I was 15. It's kinda terrific. Almost anything I care to listen to is just a click away. I wondered why I hadn't explored this sort of thing before (sorry Rhapsody, Napster, etc) but that's for another missive.

As a sonic-minded musician do I love the quality of streaming mp3s? No. As an artist do I think receiving less than a cent every time someone streams a tune of mine is "fair" payment? No (and I'm hoping this will change as we go forward) but as a music fan do I love having near the history of recorded music at my fingertips? Absolutely!

In the course of industry debate regarding the subscription model, I think music makers/rights holders really need to approach any reservations they may have about streaming from a "fan" perspective. They need to get back in touch with their inner, teen-aged music fiend. Back in touch with the kid who hoarded every album in the house or who locked himself in the bedroom with a stereo and a guitar. Ultimately, subscription streaming may or may not prove to be the future for rights holders' bank accounts but having now experienced it first hand, I'm convinced subscription is the future of recorded music and a rosy one at that for fans of said music.

It's funny, I'm amazed at how far removed us musical folk can sometimes get from what made us join the game in the first place. Before I played music, before I made records for "commerce", I simply loved listening to music. Industry/monetary debates aside, I'm grateful to Spotify for reminding me of that. Here's to hoping the emerging popularity of the subscription model will also remind many others of that simple joy.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Summertime...

2011-07-25T01:33:00.019-04:00

"...And the livin' is easy"

Or at least so goes the Gershwin classic. And, really, I can't argue as I check in from this quiet, country cottage Southampton way; Our family, seaside vaca in full swing.

That said, truth be told, I'm not a big fan of the summer; never have been. I come from a long line of perspiring Sicilians. Growing up my Dad had an air conditioner in every room of the house. One August day our neighbor came to visit wearing a parka. He thought we were crazy but we were happy as clams (in the freezer section).

In addition to my freon-dependent DNA, I also think my long-standing summer reservations neurotically stem from feelings of intimidation fueled by the expectations of all those "Hot Fun in the Summertime" cliches that accompany the season - Like, what if I don't particularly feel like having fun, fun, fun? Or worse yet, what if I really try to have a sunny, sultry blast but my summer's a total wipe out? Isn't that way too much pressure to put on one's self... especially when it's so damn hot?

But, just as the seasons change, surprisingly, I find myself loosening up a bit these days when it comes to my summertime blues. Despite my contempt for temperatures above 70 degrees (and an acute shorts phobia), I've promised myself to at least try and take advantage of some of what these brief, sun-drenched months have to offer, expectations be damned, before Daddy takes that T-Bird away.

XO,
-mb

PS - In keeping with the spirit of this post, check out one of my favorite "summer" songs below by my old pal, Michael Shelley -

(Can't see the player? Click here to listen)

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Liner Notes

2011-02-15T01:44:00.013-05:00

I was recently approached by pop music Blog, "Pop Fair" and asked if I might have any rare/unreleased tracks, demos, etc I might be willing to share with their readers. I thought it was a cool idea and a fun way to say thanks to all who have listened over the years so I decided to give the project a go. After putting in some thought and receiving some great suggestions from the Pop Fair folks themselves, we dug through the vaults to come up with a (hopefully) interesting and different collection of material.

Currently posted on Pop Fair as a free digi EP download, I realized that maybe some peeps might enjoy this somewhat random collection of odds and sods a little better if they knew the back stories behind the tunes. So, as such, here goes...

"Every Night"

Some years back I was asked to contribute to a Macca tribute album the proceeds of which were to benefit cancer research. I'm usually not a big fan of "tribute records" but since this one would be helping a worthy cause and as the source material was that of Sir Paul's, how could I refuse?

The Paulie track I decided to cover was one of my faves of his, "Every Night". After mulling it over a bit, I decided to keep my arrangement fairly close to the original with a few embellishments. Why mess with perfection, right?

In the end, the project became a really nice double-disc affair (Oglio Records), featuring some scrappy up-and-comers such as myself as well as some very talented, well-established artists like Neil & Tim Finn, Matthew Sweet, etc. Funny enough, the esteemed Mr. Sweet also chose to do a cover of "Every Night". Our takes on the tune are interestingly very similar, proving either great minds think alike... or we both were too chicken to mess with McCartney's vision.

Since this album is no longer officially in print, I thought it was fair game to share the track. That said, if you like what you hear, please consider making a donation to the charity's original recipient, The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"In Colour"

As some may know, my alter-ego (he spells Mark w/ a "c") creates music for television from time to time. This track, pulled from my commercial jingle work, was originally pitched for an HP color printer ad. Sadly, it was never used for the campaign but I always liked the way it came out - sort of a glammy mix of T-Rex meets Bowie in vibe. Very 70's Brit-tastic (thus the English spelling of "color", of course). I'm such a dorky Anglophile.

"Down to the River" (demo)

A few years back the word was out that one of my favorite 70's bands, America, was making a new album ("Here & Now") produced by Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger and Smashing Pumpkins' James Iha. Adam and James' intriguing premise for the project was to take the band back to their roots sound-wise while also having America record a few songs written by a new generation of pop songwriters who were influenced by the band. I asked Adam if I could submit something and he graciously said I could. Written in about two afternoons and quickly recorded in maybe two hours time, this bare-bones demo is what I submitted for the band's consideration.

Ultimately, "Down to the River" was passed on for the project with a lot of the outside writing credits going to higher profile artists such as My Morning Jacket, Nada Surf, etc. I was a little disappointed the tune didn't make the cut but felt a whole lot better when Adam told me Gerry and Dewey from America really dug the song and were seriously considering it. Honors enough for a kid who used to listen with wonder to "Ventura Highway" on a tiny AM radio back in the 70's.

"(Love Theme From) Shark"

This tune comes to you direct from yet another failed TV pitch (it's a tough biz, folks). "Shark" was written back in '06 as a potential theme song for a (short-lived) US television series/legal drama of the same name staring James Woods. Woods playing a notorious LA defense attorney who, disillusioned with his career, becomes a public prosecutor. If I remember right, they were looking for a theme with a "Mack the Knife" retro-vibe to it which I tried (emphasis on 'tried') to deliver.

For some reason this tune also reminds me a little of, dare I say, Jon Brion's work. A good thing to aspire to in my book.

"Camp Elmo" (Live Acoustic)

This live, stripped-down performance of the 'Queens English' song, "Camp Elmo" was pulled from one of my video Blogs and features my bud, Jay Sherman-Godfrey accompanying me on acoustic guitar and vocals. Minus the album version production, this take on the song assumes an almost country-ish, back porch vibe I kind of like.

"Listening to the Band"

This pop/punk cover of the great Michael Shelley song should technically be credited to 'The Clifton Foundation', a silly band/side-project that my wife and I launched just for kicks back in the early oughts. Aside from this tune (which was actually recorded as a birthday gift for Mr. Shelley), the Cliftons also partially recorded a yet unfinished EP. Maybe when our son goes off to college, my wife and I will try and finish it from our rocking chairs (emphasis on 'rocking').

"For Real"

This tune is yet another track that should really be credited to a side project/band of mine called, 'The Down Crowd'. This outfit was originally formed to explore some of my darker tunes. With elements of electronica sprinkled throughout the productions, it was sort of an interesting stylistic detour I might revisit one day, time permitting.

"Let's Go"

Another in a continuing series of rejected TV spots, this bouncy little ditty was composed for, of all things, a Hershey Theme Park (aka "The Sweetest Place on Earth") ad pitch. There was also a version of this tune with lyrics too embarrassing to ever be heard anywhere except within the confines of a park built on pure chocolate.

"Lighter Than Air"

One more time!.. failed television ad pitch # 1,015 (are you starting to see a trend here folks, maybe I should go back to grad school?). This one was submitted for a 3 Musketeers' commercial some time back that was aimed at the fairer sex and sang the praises of the chocolate bar as a lighter and somewhat less fattening snack. Ummm... Ok.

"(Do the) Juje"

Ah, success... finally! This fun instrumental was composed for and used on the now defunct but wildly popular male-makeover, TV series, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". I stole the title of the tune from a (faux French?) nonsensical, buzz word that one of the show's stars, Carson Kressley, often used to describe adding a stylish little adjustment or tweak to someone's look in order to amp it up - "Just give it a little juje and there you go!..".

Hope you enjoy the download! Thanks for listening and if you're new to my music and haven't done so as of yet, please visit my site and join the mailing list, I'd love to stay in touch.

XO,
-mb

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

I Am What I Am...

2011-01-27T14:26:00.001-05:00

"I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam!"

Sage advice from the spinach huffing sailor man of yore.

Watching Popeye cartoons as a kid, I don't think I ever fully appreciated the depth of that little pronouncement. Thinking back on it's meaning now as an adult, I realize it's quite a useful mantra when the idealism of youth yields to the cold, hard facts of grownups-ville. When things, maybe not turning out as expected on that bumpy road into town, force one to reconcile who they've become with who they thought they'd be.

I find the same applies in art as it does life.

With the first month of the new year almost a memory and 2010 fading into the distance, I've found myself running into many of those inevitable, year-in-review, "Best Of" lists folks in the music world, journalists and fans alike, enjoy assembling. I guess these compilations are fun to read but at the same time, probably a little dangerous to hold too much stock in especially if stuff you've created stands to very likely be omitted from such rundowns. That said, I also have to admit it's kind of flattering when the work you've done is actually included in the roll call.

Releasing "Queens English" back in the spring, I feared I might alienate some hardcore fans of the power pop vibe who've previously supported my music since "QE" is, stylistically, a touch outside the genre and a little different from what I've done in the past. As such, it was kind of cool and in some ways validating to see the album appear on a number of these aforementioned "Best Of" lists especially those within the pop scene. While certainly being a full on pop record in my mind, I also knew "QE" was not "Pop Job 2.0". With downtown guitars replaced by uptown horns and "Who's your daddy?" lyrical content substituted with tales of baby-daddies, it was, indeed, a bit of a change up but one, nonetheless, a sailor man with heart-on-his-sleeve leanings had to make. I really had no choice.

I am what I am... Hope you are too.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

And to All a Good Night...

2010-12-25T00:01:00.005-05:00

(Can't see the player? Click here to watch)

Since this is a time of year steeped in tradition, I thought I'd start one of my own here on ye 'ol Blog. At first I thought of posting pictures of drunken, sidewalk Santas in various states of inebriation each year from here on out but after mulling it over I realized that didn't exactly fit the spirit of the season. Instead I thought I'd, once again as last year, post a video of my favorite, late night, Christmas Eve companion, The Yule Log. As I've mentioned in this space before, as an only-child and TV baby of the 70's, this kitschy, flickerin' friend kept me company on those long, night-before-Christmases when, too excited to sleep (visions of Stretch Armstrong dancing in my head), I would switch on the bedroom black & white, twist the dial to WPIX and let the motherf'er burn 'tll the morning light.

Happy Holidays!

All the Best,
-mb

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Oy Story

2010-12-06T20:44:00.004-05:00

Ok, so my Mom gives my 5 year old son this unidentified (& strangely handless) action figure she claims was mine back when I was a kid his age. After racking my brain trying to place this random piece of my childhood (the groovy vest, that knowing smile, the great hair...), I finally gave up the ghost and turned to that modern day oracle known to us all as the interweb.

My search ultimately led me here, to the real life inspiration for this tot-time, turtlenecked defender of the good.

Not much more to say really, except... the 70's were truly out of hand, yo.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Reelin' in the Years Pt. II

2010-11-23T09:52:00.007-05:00

"How About Always" from an appearance on the television show Fearl*ss Music (circa '03? '04?).

Since folks seemed to enjoy the “All I Want” clip posted here a few weeks back, I thought I'd post another tune from the Fearl*ss Music sessions.

As before, same rules apply - the audio is unmixed/garage rock-esque, I look kind of out of it and the singer (aka yours truly) can hardly hear himself (not my personal best) over the din of the crazy rock combo but once again…

Ah, the sound of youthful, rock 'n roll exuberance...

The Band -

Cheri Leone: backing vox/percussion
Matty Karas: gtr/backing vox
Greg Beshers: lead gtr/backing vox
Tom Ward: bass
Ed Klinger: drums
MB: creative caterwaulin’

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Reelin' in the Years

2010-11-08T18:14:00.005-05:00

Stumbled upon this live version of "All I Want" while poking around the vaults the other day. Thought I'd dust it off and post it here. The clip comes from an appearance I made on the television show Fearl*ss Music (circa '03? '04?).

The audio from this raw footage is unmixed and a little distorted sounding, giving the song a sort of garage rock quality which I kind of like for reasons unknown to me. I also look somewhat "elevated" in this clip for reasons unknown to me now as well. Free, on set tallboys, perhaps? Just say no to drugs, kids.

One of my few memories from this taping (aside from the free beer) was the troubling lack of adequate vocal monitors on set - hearing one's voice over the band was a bit of a, let's say, challenge? But hey, no excuses folks, I am, after all, a semi-professional.

Not my best performance but... Ah, the sound of youthful, rock 'n roll exuberance...

The Band -

Cheri Leone: backing vox/percussion
Matty Karas: gtr
Greg Beshers: lead gtr
Tom Ward: bass
Ed Klinger: drums
MB: glassy-eyed skifflin'

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Twisters, Textbooks and the Passage of Time

2010-10-12T13:36:00.004-04:00

Not exactly sure which I'd label the more stressful event of the past month - a tornado unexpectedly ripping through my neighborhood late one afternoon or my five year old son starting Kindergarten. If I had to lay money down, I'd probably go with the latter.

Seems like only a moment ago my wife and I brought my son home from the hospital that sunny spring afternoon, quietly watching him sleep as we shared a bowl of cereal, both of us too exhausted and drained by the previous 48 hours to make a decent meal for ourselves. Now as my son ambles down the street each morning toting a "Transformers" backpack almost as big as him stuffed with mini-textbooks, lunch and a toy chicken (don't ask), I can't help but marvel at the passage of time.

After the morning schoolyard drop-off, the house strangely silent, my wife at work and my studio computers yet to rev up for the day, I sit with a wandering mind in front of yet another bowl of cereal. After splitting my time over the past five years between caring for my son and freelance music work, I'm suddenly feeling out of balance, off base, kind of like those poor trees on my block post-tornado. It's certainly been a whirlwind half decade and now with my new album out into the world (kind of like a second child) and my son taking his first steps from the fold, I suppose the nest is feeling a tad empty.

As I trip over a toy and make my way from a quiet Camp Elmo down to my studio space, I realize I'm holding an expression on my face not unlike that of my son's as he walks through those schoolhouse doors each morning, both of us facing the future with equal parts melancholy and excitement for the new twists and turns that lie ahead.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Something So Strong

2010-09-07T21:58:00.001-04:00

For those following me on Twitter or reading my Facebook posts of late, it will come as no surprise to learn I've been on a serious "Crowded House" listening jag these days. As a long-time fan of the band, I've been busy obsessing over their latest album, "Intriguer", as well as revisiting their incredible back catalog. Listening to that amazing body of work, particularly the albums that meant so much to me growing up, I couldn't help but reminisce about the very first time I saw my fave Kiwi trio perform live...

Circa '88 I'm a 19 year old college kid working with my best friend in the home recording studio we built in the basement of his parent's house (an anomaly for the time, btw, not like today wherein every musician has Pro Tools in their bedroom), when my friend's younger sister burst in informing us that CH was on WNEW announcing a "secret" show that evening at CBGB's. The band's second record had just come out and as my friend and I were enamored with both their albums, we immediately stopped what we were doing and made our trek from Queens down to the Bowery.

Long story longer, we got to the club early enough to sit first-table-center at the foot of the stage. Needless to say, that intimate night of music was incredible. CH was simply the tightest (yet agile) band I'd seen to date, playing the most beautifully melodic, Beatle-esque tunes just six inches in front of me replete with their own unique brand of style and humor. And the harmonies?! Man, could those three sing together (RIP Paul Hester). Too young to see the Fab Four live, I imagined this must have been what it was like.

After the band played an electric AND an acoustic busking set, my friend and I couldn't resist the opportunity to meet our heroes in the tiny dressing room behind stage. I remember being incredibly star struck. When the moment finally came, we first met an amazingly friendly Nick and then an equally genuine Neil. I offered Mr. Finn a sweaty, nervous handshake (which he graciously accepted - sorry Neil), made some small talk and a fantastic night of music came to a surreal conclusion. A pedestrian experience, maybe, for some but us true music fans know better; I could have died on the ride back to Queens that evening, I probably wouldn't have noticed.

I believe the very next day CH taped this Letterman appearance; check it to get an idea of the pure joy, subtle power and sound that floored this young musician that night at CBs.

Something so strong, indeed.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

Laugh Clown Laugh

2010-08-18T02:10:00.009-04:00

(Mobile users click here to view video)

In keeping with a long-standing, self-deprecating (& honestly somewhat perplexing) tradition of making a fool of myself in the name of an album release (see here & here), I give you the video for "Happy", the single from my new album, "Queens English".

Obviously, it's one of those clips wherein you question whether this kind of behavior is beneficial to one's career... but since I'm never quite sure I actually have one, I figure I'm good to go; why not climb out on that shaky limb and have a little fun in the process?

Or who knows? Maybe I'm just one of those cryin' on the inside kind of clowns.

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

The Gig

2010-08-08T19:41:00.010-04:00

Ah, the gig... Simultaneously the thrill and bane of a performer's existence (or at least this performer's). A bubbling Diet Coke-meets-Mentos combination of nervousness and excitement - Will it suck? Will it be cool? Will five people come out or 150? Will the bartender cut off our free drinks?

In my case, all those questions are forgotten and invariably melt away as the first chord sounds and my attentions turn toward the simple joy of making music with friends and connecting with a live audience.

Such was, indeed, the case last week at our Pete's show in Brooklyn as a warm, summer Monday evening - not generally the recipe for record attendance - predictably yielded a small but loyal crowd while the band and I took to providing our take on the popular song format.

Later, during the after-set hang (sometimes just as much fun as the set itself), I found myself meeting, getting to know and having a blast with a very cool group of peeps who, flatteringly, care close to as much about my music as I do despite them being extremely intelligent and successful folks ;-) Always a humbling experience; one for which I'm eternally grateful and never take for granted.

Although the music business finds itself in a bad way these days, fraught with many pitfalls, I can think of very few "9 to 5's" (barring obvious philanthropic endeavors) that offer the kind of fulfillment and human connection described above.

Ah, the gig... Nice work if you can get it.

A low-res, iPhone vid from the show featuring yours truly and the band (from L to R): Matty Karas, Jay Sherman-Godfrey, John Lee, Cheri Leone and Bob Byrne

www.markbacino.com
www.dreamcrushmusic.com

The Kids Wanna Rock

2010-07-29T18:48:00.028-04:00

"Turned on the radio
Sounded like a disco
Musta turned the dial for a couple of miles
But I couldn't find no rock n' roll

This computerized crap ain't gettin' me off
Everywhere I go - the kids wanna rock" - Bryan Adams

First off, just wanted to remind everyone that the band folk and I will be playing some new jams and some old faves at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn this coming Monday night (8/2, 8p) as we celebrate (somewhat belatedly) the release of my newest long player, "Queens English". If you're free, please join us as we make a racket in the back room then retire to Pete's awesome garden for a mid-summer night's libation under the stars. Details below -

Mark Bacino
Mon. August 2, 2010 - 8pm
Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.302.3770
www.petescandystore.com
*Free Admission*

Lastly, in quick literary transition from live to Memorex - It struck me this week, in a wave of randomness, just how much I rely upon YouTube vids these days while investigating new musical finds. After, say, reading about a new band or artist, I find myself, almost reflexively, hitting my YouTube browser tab long before heading to iTunes, MySpace, etc. Usually I find your standard issue, MTV-era, bells and whistles video or a DIY Flip Cam vid but sometimes I land on a fan made clip, as I'm sure you have, consisting of nothing more than a tune from the band in question along with a static picture lasting the entire duration of the song. You would think given the obvious nature of YouTube as a visual platform this would be a detriment to the video's popularity but often I find these "static" vids to have thousands of plays. Go figure - The fascinating nexus of YouTube as Web 2.0 jukebox and modern man's uncanny ability to bend technology toward never intended uses coupled with his timeless need to simply get his groove on.

It's with all these lofty concepts in mind that I thought it might be fun to post some music from my new album in simple, YouTube neo-jukebox form -

www.youtube.com/user/MBacino

I suppose no matter the medium, the kids still wanna rock.

A wise Canuck that Mr. Adams, no?

XO,
-mb

www.markbacino.com

Cobwebs...

2010-07-14T12:38:00.001-04:00

One of my all time faves, Prince, recently declared that the "Internet's completely over" in a UK Daily Mirror piece. Of course he's totally wrong and of course the statement is probably just a way for the purple one to generate heat around his new album release (which The Daily Mirror just happens to be distributing free with it's paper) but I have to admit, all technological naivete/publicity stunts aside, in a roundabout way I kind of get what Prince might be saying.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm no luddite; having logged onto the interwebs myself for the first time back in '94 and surrounding myself daily with a bevy of computers, audio equipment and iPhones. Certainly the net is one of the greatest tools ever invented (thanks Al Gore) and we've yet to even scratch the surface, but like every piece of technology that has a profound affect on mankind, it, of course, has it's benefits and it's drawbacks. I guess what I'm trying to say is the web, at least for me, is sometimes like my Uncle Milt; love 'em, great fun, knows a heck of a lot about stuff but at times is just a tad removed from reality and, well, a bit much.

This weekend past, my wife and I accompanied my young son to one of his schoolmate's birthday parties. Although we knew the birthday boy's parents a bit, we were suddenly thrust into a totally foreign social-circle, spending the afternoon getting to know a bunch of flesh and blood strangers face to face. After the initial handshake awkwardness passed I found myself having the kind of fun Facebook could never hope to provide.

Maybe Prince is still a genius after all.

(For a laugh, click here to visit an archive of my first website created circa 1997 and inspired by the ridiculous promo picture of me above).

www.markbacino.com

On Your Radio

2010-06-24T19:38:00.029-04:00

On your radio, On your radio, You're gonna hear me on your radio... - Joe Jackson

As some of you may know, I've been doing a lot of radio over the past month or so to help spread the word about my new album, "Queens English". In the process I've had a lot of fun, met a bunch of fine folks and learned a little along the way. Despite the sad state of corporate-run, commercial radio in this country, with it's generic playlists and endless commercial breaks, in my experience I'm happy to report that the medium of radio, along with it's true free-form spirit, is still alive and well; You might have to look a little harder for it but it's out there in the form of specialty shows, college stations, local broadcasting and the like.

And now thanks to the wonder of the interwebs, many of these aforementioned radio programs can finally enjoy a wider-then-ever-before reach via live internet streaming and podcasts, etc., no longer restricted by the limitations of signal strength or the lack of funds en route to finding a larger audience.

It's with all this in mind that I thought I'd share with you a podcast from one of my recent radio appearances. Back on June 5th I was lucky enough to be DJ Michael Shelley's guest on his always awesome, number-one-hits program which broadcasts via a stronghold of free-form radio, the mighty WFMU. If you haven't listened to Michael's show before you really should; with it's eclectic mix of pop, country, soul and a little dead-pan humor sprinkled throughout, it airs most Saturdays 11a -1p (EST) on 91.1 FM in NY/NJ and, of course, on the web streaming at WFMU.org. In addition to his DJ-ing expertise, Michael also happens to be one of my favorite singer/songwriters with numerous excellent albums to his credit. Please check out all things Mr. Shelley at his website when you get a moment.

So without further ado, here's my segment on The Michael Shelley Program, WFMU, NY 6/5/10 (thanks Michael for having me!) -

(Here's a link to the show for the Flash challenged among us)

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens - (Episode 5)

2010-06-14T15:06:00.005-04:00

Check out Episode 5 of "Speakin' The Queens"; the video portion of my Blog and the world's only music Vlog to come to you direct from a Queens, NY living room.

This episode features music* from yours truly and special guests Cheri, Matty and Chris, collectively known as The Trouble Dolls; a great pop band based in NYC. The T Dolls are currently in the studio working on a new collection of songs while their 2003 album, “Sticky” (Half a Cow), is a must have for fans of all things melodic. Those with a keen eye might also recognize Cheri and Matty from their moonlighting gig as longtime members of my live band.

Many thanks to The Trouble Dolls for doing the show. Please visit them on the web at -

www.troubledolls.com

*All songs copyright 2010 by their respective artists.
www.markbacino.com

Rock Show

2010-06-09T21:02:00.009-04:00

Just a quick, save the date, note this week to let you guys know that the band and I will be playing a gig at the world's famous Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY Monday August 2nd at 8pm.

Kickin' out jams old and new, please join us and celebrate the release of my album, "Queens English".

To get the band psyched for the gig, I've begun weekly pep talks post-rehearsal. Since you all are like family, I thought I'd record one and share it (listen here). Hopefully you too will find this little speech inspirational.

See you in August!

Show details...

Mark Bacino Live
Mon. August 2, 2010 - 8pm
Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.302.3770
www.petescandystore.com
*Free Admission*

The Band -

Matty Karas
Cheri Leone
John Lee
Bob Byrne
Jay Sherman-Godfrey

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens - (Episode 4)

2010-06-01T11:30:00.014-04:00

Episode 4 of "Speakin' The Queens"; the video portion of my Blog and the world's only music Vlog to come to you direct from a Queens, NY living room.

This episode features music* from special guests Jay Sherman-Godfrey and Laura Cantrell as well as a tune from yours truly.

Jay is a singer/songwriter, producer and guitarist who has worked with Laura Cantrell, Amy Rigby, They Might Be Giants and Michael Shelley to name a few.

Laura is an acclaimed singer/songwriter with several albums to her credit and a fanbase that includes Elvis Costello (whom she's toured with) and Lucinda Williams.

Big thanks to Jay and Laura for doing the show. Visit them on the web at -

www.jayshermangodfrey.com
www.lauracantrell.com

*All songs copyrighted 2010 by their respective artists.
www.markbacino.com

Brooklynese

2010-05-27T12:35:00.011-04:00

Thought I'd take up a little Blog space this week to talk about my new album's little, rough-around-the-edges cugino - the "Brooklynese" EP.

Conceived as a sort of completist's companion piece to the "Queens English" LP and included as part of the "QE" Deluxe Edition , "Brooklynese" contains some outtakes and demos culled from the "QE" studio sessions.

Since the "QE" LP received a track-by-track breakdown on this Blog in the weeks leading up to it's release, I figure it only fair to give it's King's county counterpart the same treatment in similar (albeit condensed) fashion so here goes...

"Brooklynese" EP -

Trk. 1: "Neighborhood Girl" - Discussed briefly in this space via an earlier post, this tune was actually the first song recorded for the "QE" album. Although lyrically in keeping with the theme of the record, as the recording of the album progressed, "Neighborhood Girl" unfortunately began to reveal itself as musically the odd-man-out amongst this collection of new songs. With it's modern pop production values stylistically more at home, say, on a Fountains of Wayne record than on one of my records, I ultimately made the tough call of excluding the song from the final "QE" running order. I think I made the right choice in terms of the overall sonic vibe of the album but that said, I was sad to see the song cast to the wilderness. Featuring long-time Rollins Band drummer, Sim Cain, I'm happy "Neighborhood Girl" can finally get her day in the sun via this EP.

Trk. 2: "Muffin in the Oven (demo)" - Recorded as a rough and tumble blueprint intended as a guide for the session players on the official album recording and featuring maybe the world's first heavy metal kazoo solo, this demo is not without it's homespun charm. Another highlight (or possible attempt to avoid further kazoo abuse) features a decision to flesh out what would eventually become the track's horn arrangements using the vocal prowess of 'The Markettes' (I know them pretty well and they work cheap).

Trk. 3: "Bridge & Tunnel (demo)" - Recorded as a sketch for what would eventually become a solely orchestral rendering on the album and featuring a more earthy, acoustic-driven, back-porch feel, this demo presents a totally different and (hopefully) interesting take on this "QE" cut.

Trk. 4: "Make Something Happen" - Loosely intended to be fashioned into a song for the "QE" album, this tune's basic chord changes and melody line ultimately became the basis of a pitch my 'shilling-for-the-man' alter-ego made for, of all things, an Amex commercial jingle. Sadly (or fortunately depending upon how you look at it), the track never made the cut. When listening try and picture Ellen DeGeneres dancing to this Wilson-esque little ditty. Sorry if that mental image is distressing.

For more info on the "Brooklynese" EP or the "Queens English" Deluxe Edition, visit DreamCrush Music.

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens - (Episode 3) Album Release Day!

2010-05-18T10:31:00.005-04:00

Episode 3 of "Speakin' The Queens"; the video portion of my Blog and the world's only music Vlog to come to you direct from a Queens, NY living room.

So with album release day finally upon me, thought I'd do a quick video, raise a glass and toast all the fine folks who helped make "Queens English" a reality.

Many thanks to you all for your kind words of support during the making of this album. I truly hope you guys enjoy the record.

Cheers! Salute! Mazel tov!

...Man, I'm drunk.

XO,
-mb

"Queens English" song samples and purchase info can be found here -

www.dreamcrushmusic.com
www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 11

2010-05-07T14:23:00.006-04:00

Who are yous?
Who are yous?
Speak when you’re spoken to
Who are yous?

Could always sit out here
My lawn chair and a beer
And listen to the game

But since you kids appeared
With your long hair and your beards
Nothing is the same…

Who are yous?
I said who are yous?
Speak when you’re spoken to
Who are yous?
What’s this world coming to?

Who are yous?

Much love to everyone who has read and listened over the course of these eleven weeks. I truly appreciate your interest and support. Thank yous!

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens - (Episode 2)

2010-05-03T14:24:00.005-04:00

Episode 2 of "Speakin' The Queens"; the video portion of my Blog and the world's only music Vlog to come to you direct from a (tastefully furnished) Queens, NY living room.

This episode features some recently unearthed footage from a show the band and I did at The Living Room, NYC back in May of '09.

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 10

2010-04-30T12:40:00.004-04:00

Hangin’ with Lee Joseph
It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever known
Just kicking cans and skippin’ stones
With you…

Hangin’ with Lee Joseph
No two finer pals the world has seen
A one and one half wrecking team
Us two…

We might eat three ice cream cones
We might even listen to The Kinks
When your Mommy’s not home

Singin’ La, La, La, La…

And there will come a day
When you say, “Daddy, aw go away”
That’s okay…

We might finger-paint the cat
We might even do a little dance
On that bubble wrap

Hangin’ with Lee Joseph
It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever known…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", we come to the end of our musical word parade with Track 11, "Who Are Yous?".

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 9

2010-04-23T21:18:00.013-04:00

As the release date for my new album, "Queens English", approaches (5/18), I thought it might be a fun idea (if only for me) to try and maybe dissect the record here at the old Blog space. A bit of a behind the scenes look under the hood so to speak. Since I've always dug reading about some of my favorite albums track-by-track, I thought that might be an interesting way to approach. Eleven tracks in eleven installments? Can I pull it off without boring even myself? This week visit Middle Town and find out...

Track 9: "Middle Town" -

Leaving Manhattan and moving back to Queens in the fall of 2001, I randomly Googled the name of my new hood one evening if for no apparent reason other than late-night boredom; Having grown up within fairly close proximity, I knew a decent amount about the neighborhood but in reading the town's history I came to discover a good deal more. It seems this working-class area situated in central Queens was once considered by it's early English settlers to be the mid-point between the towns of Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Jamaica, Queens on what was then known as the Williamsburg/Jamaica Turnpike (now Metropolitan Ave). Tired farmers often spending the night in this hood during their long, horse-drawn commutes to and from market in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Given the serious middle class makeup of my neighborhood in it's current incarnation, this apropos bit of logistical history kinda stuck with me, hitting home over time, as a pretty cool metaphor.

A few years down the line as the writing of this new album progressed and began revealing it's core theme to me as heavily influenced by my current life in the outer-boroughs, I thought it might be cool to work the idea of my aforementioned 'middle town' into the mix. Springboarding from there, I started to think about a lot of the peeps I grew up with and a lot of the folks I currently live alongside; most of them straight-shooting, hard-working, hard-core locals who have no need for or interest in (beyond maybe their work life) what's going on in "the city" (aka Manhattan) making for one seriously ironic, near-middle American, small-town credo tucked inside one of the largest, most progressive cities on the planet.

As a teen dreaming self-absorbed, bright lights/big city dreams of rock stardom in his Queens bedroom, I judgmentally found this "provincial" mindset to be kind of lame and uninspired - the brightest and most creative minds from all points are gathering 20 minutes across the river and you'd rather hang out on the stoop and listen to the ballgame?!

Life's funny, isn't it? As you make that personal commute, all the square, unimportant stuff your parents filled your head with (if you were lucky) - hard work, family, a sense of place and belonging - it all, somehow, seems a bit less square over time. The act of simply putting food on the table and a roof overhead becoming a more than noble struggle.

Maybe, like every know-it-all teen and twenty-something before me, I needed to teeter on mountain's edge before I could come to value and respect the stability of some solid middle ground.

Middle Town

Hear the bells, hear the sound
Noon is coming ‘round, in this middle town
Took a break from the pace,
Left the rats to race, in that city town

Took the kids to school, I’m still their Dad,
Say hello to Mrs. Leary,
“Sit on the stoop with me lad”

I was born, I was raised
Seven blocks away, in this middle town
I never bothered, never cared,
Never chased the fad, in that city town

Happy just to hang with my boys
Standing around down on the corner
Yeah, you know we made some noise

There’s no shiny towers here
We built them in the city town
Just some kids and they’re running ‘round
Chasing Softee down…

Hear the bells, hear the sound
Evening’s coming down, in this middle town
The working day’s had its say, make your getaway
From that city town

Tired subway rides, half alive
Trying hard just to remember
How noble it is to survive… and hold your ground
In your middle town

In your middle town
In your middle town

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", people let me tell ya 'bout my best friend with Track 10, "Ballad of M & LJ".

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 8

2010-04-15T20:30:00.010-04:00

Saw it hanging there today
Neatly pressed and tucked away
Oh, my blue suit, my blue suit

Stood above my father’s grave
The sadness like a tidal wave
In my blue suit, in my blue suit

It’s kinda worn and frayed
It’s seen my worst and better days

Humbled by her wedding gown
The clouds gave way, the sun shined down
On my blue suit, on my blue suit

It’s never worn the doldrums of an ordinary day
Its only world, black tie and pearls, sunshine and gray…

It’s kinda worn and frayed
It’s seen my worst and better days

Probably wear it one last day
Say goodbye and go our way
Oh my blue suit, my blue suit…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", I try and hit one to center with Track 9, "Middle Town".

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 7

2010-04-08T14:25:00.003-04:00

Bridge and tunnel
Take me where I long to be
The real NYC
Oh, bridge and tunnel

Disco queens
Hopes and dreams
The living and the dying
The laughing and the crying
In-between

Traffic might be moving slow
On the other side of the road
But I’m rolling like the river below
‘Cause I’m going where nobody wants to go…

Brooklynese
“Beater” tees
Struggling, surviving
Resourceful, enterprising
If you please

Bridge and tunnel
Make Manhattan disappear
‘Cause no one’s really from here
So give ‘em all a Bronx cheer
Just for me…
‘Cause the butt of all their jokes
Are the wheels and the spokes…of the city.

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", I try Track 8 on for size, "Blue Suit".

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 6

2010-03-30T15:23:00.007-04:00

Angeline, Bleecker St. queen
Bensonhurst, every girl’s dream

Theirs is a simple story,
No tale of epic glory from above
Just of love…

Angeline played hard to get,
Bensonhurst never gave up yet

Love bloomed and soon they’d marry,
Danced to a big band as the rain it fell,
St. George Hotel…

Settled in a dreary basement scene
Saving for a home they’d call their own
Three long years, of counting all their dreams
They laid their money down and bought a
Tiny place in Queens…

Time passed with something missing ‘till
Summer of Love kissed everyone
Angeline had a son…

Years brought tears and joy into the home
They always seem to travel hand in hand
Marveled at how much their boy had grown
Hoping that he’d find a love, a love to call his own…

Bensonhurst, now he is gone
Angeline, tries to carry on…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", we take a ride to the other side with Track 7, "Bridge & Tunnel".

Alex Chilton

2010-03-26T12:36:00.010-04:00

One of my favorite Big Star tracks can be found here ...Moody yet ultra-melodic and somehow still strangely uplifting.

Not so sure Alex Chilton got what he deserved in this life (& certainly not in his untimely death). His talent far exceeding his commercial success.

I, for one, am grateful for the brilliant mix of musical joy and sorrow Alex left behind for us all.

Thank you, friend. We probably don't deserve it.

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 5

2010-03-23T15:24:00.006-04:00

Living here in Camp Elmo
And how we got here I don’t know
We’re building jungle gyms
And cleaning diaper bins
Living here in Camp Elmo…

Living here in Camp Elmo
The melancholy red Day-Glo
We used to drink all night
Now we’re up at dawn’s first light
Living here in Camp Elmo…

Don’t get me wrong,
It’s not Guantanamo
No heavy metal, late night drills,
Just one song
That plays on and on
And breaks my will…

Living here in Camp Elmo
Where hanging on means letting go
So trade in all your dreams
And sign up for the team
It’s easier in Camp Elmo

Living here in Camp Elmo…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", no sleep 'till Brooklyn, yo; Track 6, "Angeline & the Bensonhurst Boy".

Speakin' The Queens - (Episode 1)

2010-03-22T14:28:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Episode 1 of "Speakin' The Queens"; the video portion of my Blog and the world's only music Vlog to come to you direct from a Queens, NY living room.

In addition to the written Blog I have cooking here in this space, I thought I'd try my hand at a video version as well complete with cheesy theme song (Hey, you try and rhyme Blog with something).

www.markbacino.com

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 4

2010-03-16T23:24:00.011-04:00

As the release date for my new album, "Queens English", approaches, I thought it might be a fun idea (if only for me) to try and maybe dissect the record here at the old Blog space. A bit of a behind the scenes look under the hood so to speak. Since I've always dug reading about some of my favorite albums track-by-track, I thought that might be an interesting way to approach. Eleven tracks in eleven installments? Can I pull it off without boring even myself? Got me. Stay tuned and find out. And by the way, has anyone seen my apron?..

Track 4: "Muffin in the Oven" -

When I first began working on this album, I kicked off the sessions by recording a track called "Neighborhood Girl". The lyrics of the song weave the tale of a young girl living in the outer-boroughs of NYC, dreaming big dreams, longing for the day when she can finally shake off her working-class reality and pursue her ambitions amongst the shining lights of that so-close-yet-so-far Manhattan skyline.

"Big pillow windowsill daydreaming
Subway car rattles her floor
Sounds of the city they set her scheming
One day she'll make for the door..."

Ultimately, as the song comes to a melancholy close, we learn my heroine never reaches those bright lights. She meets a boy, falls in love and as with this life, sometimes things just sorta happen...

"Rocking her baby
She sits daydreaming
Subway car rattles the floor..."

Unfortunately, as is also the life of many tunes recorded for an album project, "Neighborhood Girl" never reached the bright lights of the final running order. In the end I felt the song, although lyrically in keeping with the theme of the record, just didn't fit well musically from a stylistic standpoint and as such, a tough decision was made.

Today's focus track, "Muffin in the Oven", was written as sort of a lighter-hearted companion piece to "Neighborhood Girl". The other side of the same coin so to speak; the ill-fitting neighborhood boy, he too with big plans detoured by the sometimes harsh realities of life and responsibility.

Not surprisingly, at the time I began to write "Muffin" my wife and I indeed had a real life bun in the oven replete with all the sides of fear, doubt and what-will-become-of-me selfishness customarily served up with first-time parenthood. What started as a silly phrase I absentmindedly sang to myself while nervously strumming my guitar, "Muffin in the Oven" somehow morphed its way out of my jittery head-space and into a song.

I suppose, as with this life, sometimes things just sorta happen...

Muffin in the Oven

He’s buskin’ around,
Waitin’ downtown
This sunny day
Birds are singing…

Her train is late,
But make no mistake
She’s on her way

Biting her lip, she is thinking of ways to say…

She’s got a muffin in the oven
Wasn’t supposed to happen this way
She’s got a muffin in the oven, yeah
Only thing she managed to say

Their seventeen years,
Showed in their fears
She starts to cry

Knew he should stay but he wanted to run and hide…

She’s got a muffin in the oven
Wasn’t supposed to happen this way
She’s got a muffin in the oven, yeah
Only thing she managed to say

He’s a scared little man, yeah
With a cheap guitar
All his plans of eye-lined bands, yeah
They won’t get too far
She’s got a muffin…

Oh, now what will they do, yeah?
What will they say?
Think her father’s unglued, yeah
His mother thinks he’s gay

She’s got a muffin in the oven
Wasn’t supposed to happen this way
She’s got a muffin in the oven, yeah
Only thing she managed to say
She’s got a muffin…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", we visit a place more frightening than Guantanamo.

PS - Looks as if my "Neighborhood Girl" will get to see those big city lights after all; The track will be included on the CD-EP "Brooklynese" slated for release 5/18 as part of the "Queens English" Deluxe Edition.

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 3

2010-03-09T20:11:00.028-05:00

As the release date for my new album, "Queens English", approaches, I thought it might be a fun idea (if only for me) to try and maybe dissect the record here at the old Blog space. A bit of a behind the scenes look under the hood so to speak. Since I've always dug reading about some of my favorite albums track-by-track, I thought that might be an interesting way to approach. Eleven tracks in eleven installments? Can I pull it off without boring even myself? Got me. Stay tuned and find out. Now let's flip that frown around, we're number three bound...

Track 3: "Happy" -

Late one morning some years ago while working a non-musical day job, I suddenly heard the disembodied voice of one of my fellow cube farmers as he yawned in an obnoxiously loud manner and excitedly proclaimed for all to hear the catch phrase that will forever be ingrained in my memory as the very summit of all that is mundane: "Tummy, says time for lunch!".

I remember going, "What?!" I don't even think I've ever heard a child utter such a thing, no less a grown man. And with such glee! Honestly, I didn't know whether to laugh or stab myself with a letter opener. Nevertheless from then on out I found myself morbidly fascinated with this uber-cheery, suburban dwelling, Docker-rocking co-worker. Who was he? What was he? What made him tick and what made him so... happy? In the end, I never came to find that out and I'm not so sure I really wanted to know. Truth be told, I was a little frightened. Sometimes you really shouldn't go swimming in the deep end of the pool... especially after such a heavy lunch.

To further compound my fears of drowning, around this time my wife and I had recently left Manhattan, bought a house out in Queens and were expecting our first child. Planting our stake firmly in the heart of the American dream, I started to feel a twinge of suburban dread. Would this new life truly make us happy? What if it didn't? What then? Grin and bear it? Or maybe more disturbingly, would I begin to coif my hair a la that, "business in front, party in back" style worn by my ecstatic (or denial ridden) co-worker? All valid questions and fears best exorcised by me, as always, in song.

Recorded, mixed and performed by yours truly, save for some track stealing, tuba-esque French horn work courtesy of the talented Mr. Rob Jost, this jam goes out to all you "cryin' on the inside" kind of clowns.

Happy

I’m so happy, everybody tells me so
Happy, luckier than average Joe
Got the house, the kid, the wife
Got a pretty darn beautiful life
I’m so, I’m so, happy…

Happy, see it written on my face
Happy, see it hangin’ ‘round my waist
Don’t need the drugs or a smokey bar
Got lots of cookies in my cookie jar
I’m so, I’m so, happy…

Sometimes I wake up crying, must be tears of joy I weep
‘Cause I sit right up and count my blessings like sheep
‘Cause I know, I know, I’m so happy…

I’m so happy, man you know it’s almost five
Happy, it’s crazy how the time just flies
Have the job, the shirt, the tie
Never ever bothered to wonderin’ why….
I’m so, I’m so, happy…

I’m so, I’m so, happy…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", we get a little baking done with track 4, "Muffin in the Oven".

Queen Streets

2010-03-08T19:42:00.005-05:00

So who said only movies can have trailers?..

A little tour of the streets Archie and Edith made famous meets promo piece for my upcoming album, "Queens English", featuring the album's lead-off track, "Who Are Yous?"

Oh, such silliness...

Now somebody get me a beer, ha?

Speakin' The Queens... Pt. 2

2010-03-02T00:12:00.031-05:00

As the release date for my new album, "Queens English", approaches, I thought it might be a fun idea (if only for me) to try and maybe dissect the record here at the old Blog space. A bit of a behind the scenes look under the hood so to speak. Since I've always dug reading about some of my favorite albums track-by-track, I thought that might be an interesting way to approach. Eleven tracks in eleven installments? Can I pull it off without boring even myself? Got me. Stay tuned and find out. Here goes it with the title track...

Track 2: "Queens English"-

The origins of this tune really date back to the summer of 2001; Around that time my wife and I bid a bittersweet goodbye to our beloved, overpriced, Manhattan apartment and made the move to a newly purchased townhouse in Queens with an eye toward starting a family and owning a semi-affordable place we could call our own. Growing up in Queens with an ever present desire to escape and follow my musical dreams in “the city”, I never thought I’d return. Now back in the hood, more a result of economic circumstance and bizarre twists in realty listings rather than premeditated thought, I felt oddly at home yet at the same time very much like a fish out of water. Both the transplanted interloper and the hard-core townie somehow wrapped into one.

It was also around this time that the now widely recognized, outer-borough, hipster invasions really began to pick up full-steam in Brooklyn and in parts of Queens (sorry if this makes no sense, non-NY'ers). Suddenly straggly, trust-fund babies with guitar cases and beards started to appear in places heretofore inhabited solely by track suit-sporting Tony Sopranos and black hat Hasidim. Inspired, I suppose, by both my sudden displacement and the wide-eyed gazes of Nebraska natives as they 'discovered' this 'new world', a snarky pen was put to paper and "QE" hopped a 7 train into being.

Queens English

Speakin’ the Queens,
Speakin’ the Queens…
Left the big city, my girl and me
Headed for the new frontier
Not talking Brooklynese, that’s over, please
Man, I’m speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…
English, yeah, yeah

Found a real nice place, got some space
It’s cozy and the bills are low
It’s a new hip scene where the accent’s keen
And I’m speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…
English, yeah, yeah,
Speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…
English… whoa, yeah, yeah…

It’s not the Village, no or the new SoHo
Don’t have snobby models on my block
Just some heavy cats wearin’ baseball hats
And they’re speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…
English, yeah, yeah

Speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…
English, oh, yeah, yeah
Speakin’ the Queens
Speakin’ the Queens…

English…

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", we get "Happy" with track 3.

Speakin' The Queens... Pt.1

2010-02-23T14:19:00.015-05:00

As the release date for my new album, "Queens English", approaches, I thought it might be a fun idea (if only for me) to try and maybe dissect the record here at the old Blog space. A bit of a behind the scenes look under the hood so to speak. Since I've always dug reading about some of my favorite albums track-by-track, I thought that might be an interesting way to approach. Eleven tracks in eleven installments? Can I pull it off without boring even myself? Got me. Stay tuned and find out. Here goes somethin'...

Track 1: "Who Are Yous? (prelude)" -

Since the title track of the album, "Queens English", is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of all the gentrification/hipster invasions taking place in NYC's outer-boroughs of late set to a kind of glam-rock romp, I thought it might be less stock and more interesting to push said uptempo track to the number two slot in the running order and start the record off instead with a kind of stylized, old-timey sounding, rock-free instrumental. I hoped the disparate styles sitting side by side, one quickly segueing into the next, might be a cool way to further illustrate the collision of new and old New York riffed upon in the title track and at points throughout the record.

With lofty concept now firmly in place, I needed an actual composition to execute the idea. I'd written an old-style, music hall type song with lyrics called, "Who Are Yous?" to close out the album; a tune designed to be literally and figuratively the polar opposite of the song, "Queens English". With "Who Are Yous?" having been written from the perspective of an elderly, native New Yorker lamenting the changes transforming his "old neighborhood", I realized I already also had the perfect contender for my intro track - Why not create an abridged, instrumental version of the closing cut, put it at the head of the sequence and bookend everything in the process? Word (or lack thereof) was born.

Intent on getting that string-quartet-coming-off-a-crackling-78 vibe for the recording, I turned to my friend and string arranger, Jacob Lawson. Successfully converting my abstract thoughts into reality, Jacob realized the arrangement I was looking for and we set out to put some zeros and ones in their places. With Jacob kindly and adeptly donning the hats of engineer, mixer and sole player on the track, we layered Jacob upon Jacob until a lush, faux string section emerged brimming with front-parlor, old time dandiness.

Next time on "Speakin' The Queens...", track two, "Queens English". Come on back now, yous hear me?

"Queens English" Release Set - 5/18/10

2010-01-23T17:11:00.022-05:00

Mark your iPhone calendars! Wake the neighbors! I'm psyched to let you guys know that the release date for my new album, "Queens English", has finally been set at Tuesday May 18th, 2010. The album will be released on the DreamCrush label and will be available in stores nationwide and online in the following configurations - CD, Digital Download and Deluxe Package.

The Deluxe Package will be available exclusively at the DreamCrush website and will include the "Queens English" CD personalized/autographed by yours truly as well as the "Brooklynese" CD EP featuring 4 bonus tracks/demos from the "QE" sessions previously unreleased and exclusive to the Deluxe offer only. A portion of the proceeds from Deluxe Package sales will be donated to cancer research; A worthy cause, indeed.

And oh, here's a track listing if you're totally OCD like me and enjoy reading this sort of thing prior to an album's release -

1. Who Are Yous? (prelude)
2. Queens English
3. Happy
4. Muffin in the Oven
5. Camp Elmo
6. Angeline & the Bensonhurst Boy
7. Bridge & Tunnel
8. Blue Suit
9. Middle Town
10. Ballad of M & LJ
11. Who Are Yous?

Of course, I'll remind (aka pester) everyone about the drop as we get closer. I'm looking forward to you guys hearing this album. I truly hope you enjoy it.

XO - mb

The Yule Log

2010-01-03T12:12:00.019-05:00

Shortly after waking Christmas morning, shaking off my eggnog fog and safely negotiating an endless sea of discarded wrapping paper, I flipped on the TV to see if my old compatriot, "The Yule Log", had managed, once again, to return home for Christmas in all its beautifully mundane, flaming brilliance; indeed it had.

As per Wikipedia - "The Yule Log is a television program which airs traditionally on Christmas eve or Christmas morning, originally on New York City television station WPIX but now on many other stations. A radio simulcast of the musical portion was broadcast on sister station WPIX-FM (later WQCD and now WRXP) until 1988. The program is a film loop of a yule log burning in a fireplace, with a traditional soundtrack of classic Christmas music playing in the background. It airs without commercial interruption..."

I have to admit, there's something about a close-up of a log burning on a TV screen that chokes a brother up a little. A natural reaction I suppose; as a child of the 70s and 80s The Yule Log was a personal Christmas eve tradition for this little kid growing up in a Queens, NY home with four televisions but nary a fireplace in sight. The Yule Log served as my quietly patient, secret confidant during those mean, late-night hours when sleep was deprived by the excitement of the coming mornings festivities.

In an ever-shifting, 140-character world that seems to have little patience for anything, it's nice to watch The Yule Log burn, if only once a year, as a reminder that, thankfully, some things never change and some are still worth waiting for.

The Yule Log (sadly without copyrighted music)

Note - A cool Time Magazine piece on The Yule Log can be found here.

Merry Crimble! Happy Holidays!

2009-12-10T13:19:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Crimble and say a quick thanks to all the kind folks who came out to the Pete's gig on 12/8. As always, 'twas a joy and honor to bring the jams your way.

Hope everyone has an awesome holiday season and thank you for all your support in 2009. I'll see you in 2010 with more live shows and the new album release (more on that soon).

Here's hoping Santa brings that cowbell you wanted. Cheers!

XO -mb

Last Licks: Final Rock Show of 2009!

2009-11-25T14:47:00.011-05:00

The band and I will be kicking out the jams (and downing awesome grilled sandwiches) at the world famous Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn, NY on Tuesday Dec 8th, 2009. Admission is free so come on down, get your holiday buzz on and join us for our last rock show of the year. See below for details and more info. Happy Holidays! -XO, mb

Mark Bacino
Tues. Dec. 8, 2009 - 8pm
Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street
Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 302-3770
www.petescandystore.com
Click here for directions
*No Cover*

The Band - Cheri Leone, Matty Karas, John Lee, Jay Sherman-Godfrey and Bob Byrne

Welcome Back...

2009-11-15T12:19:00.010-05:00

Hey everybody, welcome back. Sorry I've been a little negligent on the Blog front of late. Thought I'd check in quick and say thanks again to all who braved the nasty weather and came out to The Living Room in NYC last month. 'Twas a blast kickin' and screamin' for you guys. I'm hoping to possibly sneak another show in before the holiday season descends upon us in all its egg nog-spiked fury so stay tuned for info on that gig.

In other news, I'm real, real close to settling the fine-print regarding the release of my new album, "Queens English". Will definitely let everyone know the street date, details, etc. as soon as they become available. Looking forward to finally getting this project out into the world. I truly appreciate all the words of encouragement and support I received from you fine folks during the making of and beyond; it's been a long road indeed.

Well, guess that about does it for now. Thought I might leave you with this mellow little jam (below) from the last show that seems oddly apropos. This lo-fi talkie and others from that night can also be found here.

And oh yeah Julie, did I ever tell you about?... ah, never mind.

XO -mb

Rock Show - Part II

2009-10-08T21:35:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to remind all about the big rock show next week (details below). The band and I intend to play a mix of old and new jams for you fine people so please join us if you can.

In preparation I’ve been listening to “Kiss - Double Platinum” and my Paul Stanley stage-patter CD. Damn. Made me realize as a songwriter I’ll probably never be able to come up with a lyric as rich and inspired as, say, “Hot, hot, hotter than hell, you know she's gonna leave you well done” but all I can do is promise you I’ll never stop trying.

Mark Bacino
Thurs. Oct 15, 2009 - 7pm
The Living Room, NYC
154 Ludlow St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 533-7235
www.livingroomny.com
*No Cover*

The Band -
Cheri Leone
Matty Karas
Ed Klinger
John Lee
Jay Sherman-Godfrey
Bob Byrne

with...

The "Who Are Yous" Horns -
Rob Jost
Jesse Neuman

Love Shack

2009-09-08T20:48:00.016-04:00

Quickly becoming a NY institution, Manhattan's "Shake Shack" is a carnivore's dream. With its slightly highbrow take on the all-American lowbrow classic: the hamburger, Shake Shack has become quite the gastronomic destination. Located within a city park (Madison Square Park, right off 23rd St. & Madison Ave.), the Shack is a great place to sneak a break from the rigors of the urban jungle and indulge in the pleasures of the flesh.

Typical to the menu at Shake Shack is, of course, a very juicy, semi high-style hamburger, fries, hot dogs, shakes, dessert custards and a pretty amazing mushroom burger for those vegetarians among us. But of course like many things in NYC, all this goodness comes with a price...as you can kind of see from the picture above, there is the not so little matter of a line. In order to secure your cow-crafted goodies you must wait... and wait... and wait some more. However, for a town and its inhabitants both known for their breakneck pace, there's a surprising amount of zen-like patience permeating the mood of the Shake Shack line. It's odd. Like folks queuing at the gates of heaven to have a chat with St. Peter in a ketchup stained robe. I suppose even New Yorkers don't mind waiting if they know in the end they'll eventually get their just deserts (or desserts). Wouldn't it be great if some of that mantra muttering calm could be exported to the unnerving line at the Post Office just a few blocks east of the Shack? Maybe Uncle Sam should start serving a side-order of fries with every parcel sent.

Visit the Shake Shack for some gooey, heavenly love; allow 30 to 40 minutes for delivery.

PS - Before you go, check the "Shack Cam" on Shake Shack's site to get a real-time view of the "shack-mosphere" aka - the line (or lack thereof).

Rock Show

2009-08-21T19:16:00.023-04:00

Every so often there comes a time in a man's life when he must put aside foolish pursuits and turn his mind toward more important endeavors... Such as creating quality, live rock for all the good babies out there. Once again, I find myself at that crossroads...Shall I rock? Rock I shall (or at least I'll try, ya know my back's been killing me lately...). Please join me, won't you?

Mark Bacino
Thurs. Oct 15, 2009 - 7pm
The Living Room, NYC
154 Ludlow St.
New York, NY 10002
(212) 533-7235
*No Cover*

The Band -

Cheri Leone
Matty Karas
Ed Klinger
John Lee
Jay Sherman-Godfrey
Bob Byrne

with...

The "Who Are Yous" Horns -
Rob Jost
Jesse Neuman

A Tree Grew in Brooklyn

2009-08-02T15:25:00.013-04:00

Well, Queens actually... and just beyond my backyard to be exact.

(Warning: navel-gazing post ahead)

When people die we morn their loss. Roman Catholics organize wakes and funeral masses to mark a passing; the Jews sit Shiva to similarly pay their respects. Even when an animal or a pet passes on folks sometimes pay tribute in various ways but when something like a tree - arguably just as much a miraculous, living entity - meets its demise no one really takes much notice, do they?

One morning bright and early this week my wife and I were woken by the dulcet tones of buzzing chainsaws. Lifting the blinds and shaking off my sleepy fog, I realized that my neighbors across the way (whom I don't know) had hired a very adept team of tree killers who were unceremoniously chopping down the beautiful, healthy tree that sat at the edge of my neighbors' property. The Mrs. and I were shocked and saddened as we watched this example of nature's exquisite and patiently crafted handiwork decapitated and extinguished within a matter of minutes. Although this technically wasn't "our" tree we had both grown accustom to its stately presence; it masked a majority of our concrete surroundings, bloomed with the most amazingly vibrant white-pink flowers in the spring (a cherry blossom tree?) and could be seen from our bedroom and kitchen windows in a flurry of said white-pink, green or red depending upon the season.

A few hours after the execution I couldn't help but assess the damage up close, paying my respects to what little remained of this silently beautiful old giant. As I stepped into the alleyway behind my yard, I was surprisingly met with my lurking neighbor's unprompted, almost guilty explanation - "We had no choice, it was pushing on the fence". I said nothing and walked back inside after taking a quick look at the dilapidated, ancient and weathered-beyond-repair fence in question. A decrepit, inanimate possession obviously invaluable to this pavement loving patron of urban decay.

As those personally acquainted with me know, I'm not much of a nature lover; pretty much a city boy born and bred and maybe I'm becoming lamely sentimental in my old age (having a kid will do that to you) but today as I stare out my window at a paint-peeled, worn fence starkly illuminated by the late-afternoon sun, I can't help but notice the void and morn the loss of our pink and white homeB.

Godspeed the tree.

Snap it, Pal

2009-07-13T20:42:00.026-04:00

It was like a secret society growing up in NY/NJ mid to late 70's; either you knew who Uncle Floyd was or you didn't.

Coming in like a snowy, UHF blast of bizarro sketch-comedy, celebrity impressions, oddball puppetry, punk rock musical guests and Stride-piano, "The Uncle Floyd Show" circa 1977 sneakily beamed its way into thousands of rabbit-eared TVs (and the hearts of their mostly pubescent/teen owners) all across the tri-state area virtually undetected by the Ford-era mainstream. To my young, untrained eye this beautiful, low budget, Vaudevillian freak-show might as well have been broadcasting directly from outer-space. It was like nothing I'd ever seen on TV before. Little did I know this strange world was, in reality, not very far, emanating form a broken down New Jersey television studio, two rivers across from where I watched cross-legged every afternoon in my Queens bedroom. And speaking to me from the center of this insane, fuzzy universe? A man in a plaid jacket and a funny hat known simply as "Uncle Floyd" Vivino.

Vivino, the friendly host, comedic straight-man, piano virtuoso and creator of this home-spun, television circus served as our daily ring-master of sorts, inviting us to join his weirdo parade each and every weekday afternoon. I, of course, was very eager to comply. With its off-camera laughter, its unstable cast, its failed, disintegrating sketches, it's cutting-edge musical guests (The Ramones appeared several times) and Floyd's episode-closing, Ragtime serenades, "The Uncle Floyd Show" was just what the doctor ordered for every local, TV addicted misfit.

Uncle Floyd, indeed, wasn't for everybody; you had to be that special kind of person - a seeker, someone who's sensibilities deviated from the mainstream, VHF path of Brady Bunch re-runs, urging them to comb the interference-laden frequencies of the UHF band in search of something different. In between the static and ghosting the initiated found their "different" in "The Uncle Floyd Show".

And as history has since proved, it wasn't all suburban freaks and geeks watching either; A missive penned by none other than David Bowie testifies to that end (courtesy of davidbowie.com) -

"Back in the late '70s, everyone that I knew would rush home at a certain point in the afternoon to catch the Uncle Floyd show. He was on UHF Channel 68 and the show looked like it was done out of his living room in New Jersey. All his pals were involved and it was a hoot. It had that Soupy Sales kind of appeal and though ostensibly aimed at kids, I knew so many people of my age who just wouldn't miss it. We would be on the floor it was so funny. Two of the regulars on the show were Oogie and Bones Boy, ridiculous puppets made out of ping-pong balls or some such. I just loved that show."

Apparently Bowie had learned of Floyd from another fellow musician and loyal Uncle Floyd viewer by the name of John Lennon. Pretty awesome, no?

These days in an era where left-of-center, late night television is pretty common place (if not cliche) and the Uncle Floyd Show is but a heady, childhood memory for me and my aging misfit compatriots, I can't help but wonder if folks like Letterman, O'Brien, etc don't owe at least a small debt of gratitude to the "irreverent late-afternoon TV before irreverent late-night TV" of "The Uncle Floyd Show".

In the immortal words of Bones Boy - "Hey, Dave...snap it, pal !"

A clip of Uncle Floyd at the piano in 2009 -

A Family Affair

2009-07-01T03:30:00.007-04:00

After two years in production, Blue Sky Studios' new animated feature, "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (Fox) is ready for release and is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide, July 1. In the interest of full disclosure, this new family feature has also been a bit of a family affair around these parts as my lovely and talented wife Lynn served as a Senior Lighting Technical Director on the film. As such, the Mrs. and I are excitedly looking forward to watching this long-crafted creation finally make its way to the big screen this summer in hopefully a big way.

It's certainly been a long and winding road over the past two aforementioned years, with my baby's mama putting in her share of 12 hour days and 6-day work weeks in efforts to make these beloved, frozen characters come to life. After attending an advanced screening last week at the Ziegfeld Theater here in NY, it was evident that my wife and her colleagues' tireless efforts had indeed paid off. The movie looks great and is most definitely a fun, playful ride with all the original Ice Age characters returning - Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) along with the addition of some rather big reptiles; The latter being especially awesome in 3-D (which, by the way, is pretty cool in its current incarnation - gone are the days of cardboard, multi-colored glasses and their accompanying headaches).

If you're looking for Fellini this 4th of July weekend, forget it, obviously read no further but if you're searching for a fun, summertime diversion that the kids (and probably you yourself) will enjoy, than load up the family Winnebago, make your way to the Ice Age...i.e. a theater with really good air conditioning and check out "Dawn of the Dinosaurs" (view trailer).

ps- Look for Lynn's name in the credits next to a little green dinosaur sketched by our obviously talented 4 year old son (I mention this purely without bias of course).

Past Tense

2009-06-21T11:05:00.037-04:00

In the early morning hours of June 25, 1994 my father, Lee Bacino, died, unexpectedly, in his sleep; he was 62.

My dad passed away while on vacation visiting the tiny, eastern Long Island, summer cottage he and my mother bought with their hard-earned money back in the winter of 1982. A small, country dream realized for this born and bred Bensonhurst boy who, contrary to the urban surroundings from which he came, loved the outdoors, the water, fishing, hunting and working with his hands.

By trade my father was a sales and distribution manager for a local NYC milk company; spending his days behind a desk assigning delivery routes/drivers and accommodating store owners although, as he often said - perhaps revealing more than I ever realized - he much preferred the freedom he once enjoyed as a scrapper road salesman, visiting potential customers and landing accounts back in his earlier days within the food service industry.

A smart, charming guy who knew what to say and when to say it (vestiges of his salesman days, no doubt) but one who also did not suffer fools gladly. Cross him and you'd soon know it; possessing equal and imposing amounts physical strength and Sicilian/Brooklyn temper, LB was a force to be reckoned with. Finding myself on the wrong end of that wrath from time to time growing up I can most definitely attest to that notion.

That said, my father also had a softer side - he was generous, loving, had a good sense of humor and was a pretty devoted family man. When not working long hours he could generally be found at home with my mom and I as opposed to the bars and bowling alleys many of my friend's dads seemed to permanently inhabit at the time. Surprisingly too for a 'man's-man' born in the 1930's, my dad loved to cook, taught himself how to play harmonica and ukulele as a boy and even merged his love of music and craftsmanship as a kid by hand-making a respectable ukulele out of wood from scratch. An instrument that no doubt later provided my father with a welcome diversion from the harsh realities of the role he willingly assumed in his 20's as 'man of the house' when his father became ill and passed away. Working various jobs, my father helped make ends meet and looked after his mother and younger sister.

Isn't it funny (and odd) how little we truly know about our parents? Although he never said, sometimes I sensed my dad might have given up a good deal of what he may have wanted for himself in terms of a career, aspirations, etc to do what he felt was the right thing to do; whether that was helping his mom and sister or later providing for his wife and child via a desk-job yielding better pay if not necessarily personal satisfaction. I'm not sure but I believe he carried that sadness or disappointment (but never regret) with him throughout the years, torn as many of us are between our dreams and our responsibilities, with both being of equal importance to us.

In the last days of his life I was lucky enough to hang with my dad out at the summer house and oddly have, what I felt to be, some of the most interesting/honest conversations we ever had together. He seemed to be in pretty good spirits, reminiscing with me about his past while looking ahead to the future, retirement and a building project he soon planned to undertake wherein he would expand the country cottage to a more roomier retirement home for he and my mom.

Sadly this was never to be.

When I recorded my debut album in 1998 I included a simple song I wrote for my dad culled in part from some favorite chord changes he used to play for me on his uke when I was a kid. Fifteen Father's Days from his passing I thought I'd once again revisit/offer this song and its lyrics in tribute to my dad.

I suppose I'll never get used to talking about him in the past tense...

PAST TENSE (click to listen)

I'd like to thank you today
For all the love you sent my way
Yet I'd give it up, it’s true
For one more chance to speak with you

Just as if you were here, plus a year...

‘Cause I will never get used to
Talking about you in the past tense...

Oh, now that you’re gone
I hope you've moved on
To a better place,
just a smile on your face

No more worries, no more cares, just time to spare...

Time I will need to get used to
Talking about you
Time I will need to get used to
Talking about you

In the past tense
Talking about you...

In the past tense

Late In The Evening

2009-06-15T14:20:00.011-04:00

Hmm...

So what's your take on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"?

For me, Fallon's foray into late night talk is more interesting a story than the current Conan/Letterman ratings war. I suppose I watched the new "Late Night" at its beginnings partly out of curiosity and mainly because as a musician/creative person I always enjoy witnessing the genesis of pretty much anything, warts and all. Predictably, the show was pretty rough at the start and still is three months in, but for my money, that roughness, that 'we're-just-working-this-thing-out' vibe, that's the charm. As such, I have to admit I'm enjoying the current incarnation of this continuing NBC franchise (shout out to The Roots too; interesting house-band choice and very cool).

Sure it could be said that Fallon comes across as affable almost to a fault - the fumbling underdog, the super nice "dude" who's eager to please and make everyone happy but, yet again, that's the charm of it. Maybe it's part of the act and I'm naive, but I'm starting to believe Fallon genuinely is the person, like him or not, you see on camera - A nice guy who's been handed a job we think he can do but one that's just slightly above his skill set right now. He will, of course, grow into the assignment and really that's part of the fun; we all get to see that happen real-time. In my opinion, Conan's "Tonight Show" debut was fairly uninteresting for all the opposite reasons; sure he too faces a new version of a show with a daunting, hallowed legacy but truth be told, Conan's already a seasoned pro, (& as astutely noted in a recent Blog by Bob Lefsetz) just as emotionally guarded as his counterpart, Dave. With nary a glimpse of true internal trepidation in sight regarding his "new" gig, O'Brien's big night fell a little flat.

Fallon may not be able to outshine his two slick, seasoned mentors but at present time, in all his freshman roughness, Jimmy seems a whole lot better than both at just being real.

A Writer's Life

2009-05-30T16:00:00.009-04:00

Truth be told, I'm a total junkie for works that reveal glimpses into the creative process whether it be books, documentaries, etc. I'm currently reading "A Writer's Life" by Gay Talese (left). Primarily best known as author/journalist and one of the founding fathers of the "new journalism" school of reporting, Talese helped mold a style during the mid-sixties wherein the writer's almost fiction-esque, imaginative, descriptive slant became an integral part of the reporting without ever compromising the integrity of the facts.

Part autobiography, part window into the process of his craft, "A Writer's Life" finds Talese talking candidly about his hits and, interestingly much more so, about his misses - the stories that got away; the pieces that, sometimes despite Talese's strong efforts/interests, could never quite make it to print. A fascinating and refreshing approach amid the current 'American Idol' zeitgeist which seems so steadfastly focused on "winners" and one's successes.

On a totally biased note, the thing I love most about Gay Talese (aside from his obvious writer's prowess) is that he personally embodies - at least for me - the literary sensibilities that have made him famous; the quintessential, impeccably dressed, thorough, typewriter at 8, martinis at 6, dinner at Elaine's, old-school New York, creative dandy. High on style but with all the substance to match. At 77, a precious and rarefied animal in this ephemeral age of skinny jeans and Twitter fiends.

If you'd like to read the opening chapter of "A Writer's Life" it can be found here courtesy of Random House. If you're also so inclined, check out the seminal article Talese penned for Esquire Magazine, circa 1966, on Frank Sinatra; considered by many to be one of the first "new journalism" pieces committed to print. Enjoy but be forewarned, if you're looking for 140 character, ADD fare you won't find it here. Thankfully the man beneath the Panama hat is a master of the artfully constructed run-on sentence.

Thank Yous

2009-05-17T10:41:00.024-04:00

After being sequestered in a recording studio working on a new album for a fair amount of time you begin to slowly forget the buzz you get from playing music for a living/breathing audience. I was reminded of said buzz this week when my band and I hit the stage at Living Room Wednesday night in NYC.

To be honest it's always a little nerve-wracking mounting a live show with a fairly large band, whether you're doing it for the first time or the thousandth; lots of stuff to work out and numerous things that can go awry. Deciding to premier all the songs from my new record, "Queens English", before the album's release, to a room of folks totally unfamiliar with the material probably only served to add to the anxiety but at the same time it also seemed like a fun thing to do. Hey, let's add a horn section too!

Finally gig night arrives and as the band launches into the opening notes of "QE's" lead-off instrumental, "Who Are Yous?", all pre-show trepidations slowly begin to melt away. Like the safety bar coming down on the roller coaster seat - we're off...might as well enjoy the ride.

And enjoy the ride we did; like any good spin on the Cyclone there were some frightening turns (Jay's amp momentarily possessed by demons), pockets of serene clarity (the generous quite that filled the room during the ballad, "Blue Suit") and a few surprise twists (audience member Delbert McClinton, aka Steven's awesomely funny, straight-faced, cowbell freak out on "Inside"). Inevitably, like every great ride the minute it's over, filled with relief and excitement, you want to jump right back on and do it all over again.

And do it again we shall but first before we do, a huge thank you must go out to my wonderful band; awesome musicians and more importantly great friends - Cheri Leone, Matty Karas, Ed Klinger, John Lee, Jay Sherman-Godfrey, Bob Byrne, Rob Jost and Jesse Neuman. Followed, of course, by a tremendous and no less sincere thank you to all the excellent folks who came out, packed the room, sent love to the stage and generously went along for the ride without really knowing where we were headed. As they say in show biz (tipping hat & adopting cheesy Jimmy Durante voice), "There'd be no us without yous".

'Till next time.

Yours in Rock,
-mb

ps - Some photos of the evening, like the one above, can be found on my site (see 'Gallery' page) courtesy of Jason Hare.

Rock Show (cont.)

2009-05-09T13:42:00.005-04:00

As promised, I'm back to invite (pester) everyone to the gig this coming Wednesday 5/13, 7pm at The Living Room in NYC. If you're in the area please come on down, join us and free your mind of swine flues and economic blues.

I'll be premiering songs from my recently completed album, "Queens English", playing the record in its entirety plus some older tunes from albums past. If you'd like to sample some of the music from "QE" ahead of time (so you can memorize the lyrics and sing along of course), please visit my site where 5 tunes are currently streaming.

Generously lending their talents and joining me on stage Wed evening will be Cheri Leone (vocals/perc), Matty Karas (guitar/vocals), Jay Sherman-Godfrey (guitar/vocals), John Lee (bass), Bob Byrne (piano/keys), Ed Klinger (drums) and the 'Who Are Yous Horns' feat. Rob Jost (french horn) & Jesse Neuman (trumpet).

And oh yeah, I almost forgot, it's BYOC (bring your own cowbell).

Hope to see you (details below)!

XO,
-mb

Wednesday May 13, 2009 - 7pm
Cost: FREE
The Living Room
154 Ludlow St
New York, NY 10002
(212) 533-7235
www.livingroomny.com

The Rite of Softee

2009-04-25T21:21:00.006-04:00

"There's no shiny towers here,
we built them in the city town
Just some kids and they're
runnin' round, chasing Softee down"

How could I possibly write an albums worth of material centering around life in the outer-boroughs of New York City without mentioning Mr. Softee? As such, I felt compelled to work it (him?) into the lyric of a tune called "Middle Town" (above) from my new record, "Queens English".

For those not from these here parts, Mr. Softee is a somewhat low-key, iconic fixture of NY street life in the summertime. Basically a fleet of bare-bones, soft-serve ice cream parlors on wheels, Softee brings both smiles to kids and looks of "crap, there goes dinner" to pre-meal time parents alike. With his sickly sweet concoctions and annoying yet beautiful music box jingle (usually played on some terribly distorted truck-mounted sound system), Mr. Softee is the taste and sound of the baked apple incarnate.

As my son and I hit the park today, heard that familiar jangly tune and smelled that familiar smell (idling truck fumes), we knew spring had definitely made its way back to NYC...on a waffle cone and four sticky tires.

"That jukebox in the corner blasting out my favorite song
The nights are getting warmer, it won't be long
Won't be long 'till summer comes
now that the boys are here again"*

*From "The Boys Are Back in Town" - Thin Lizzy

Tar Wars

2009-04-19T05:15:00.035-04:00

Taste...the final frontier.

So what do you do when a UFO lands in your backyard? I'm pretty sure that chubby dude with the sled fetish bombed on Paul Masson would know but he's dead, right? Now what? These and other poignant questions were suddenly posed as this sparkling silver beauty appeared behind my home last week (left).

After a small leak in my ceiling prompted a visit from a local roofer, it got me thinking, hey, I should have this guy put a new roof on my garage while he's at it (exciting, right?). I've never attended to these old, car-park rafters since I've owned the property and probably should. Wouldn't want any of that utterly useless crap I'm storing in there for no apparent reason to get water damaged. I tell the roofer it's his lucky day and we're off to the races.

When the roofers finish, shockingly I'm left with something pretty garish that resembles the Jupiter 2. Apparently, as my roofer explains it, these days tar is passe' and rubber roofs are all the rage. Once these flubber-esque sheets are rolled out and heated to stick to your roof (technical, I know, stay with me people) they must then be coated with a Warhol-like silver paint to reflect the sun and prevent said flubber from drying out, cracking and letting the water in. Makes sense. Of course. Awesome.

So, after a few days of living with this garage-sized suntan reflector beaming retina-burning rays through my kitchen window, my wife and I are pretty freaked. I'm back on the phone with the roofer -

Me: Can we cover the roof with something, maybe black?
Roofer: Nope. Not recommended, absorbs the heat, not good for the roof.
Me: Yeah, I know but the silver's pretty tough on the eyes; besides I burn easily.
Roofer: No, that's how it's done.
Me: I got to be honest, my wife really hates the way it looks.
Roofer: She'll get used to it, give it some time.

What? She'll get used to it?! Wow, I'm getting pissed, offended and obviously nowhere. I hang up. After some Yellow Pages finger-walking and numerous calls, I finally find a dude willing to take my money and coat the spacecraft black. Seems no one wants the job. Like the others I've spoken to, Roofer #2, claims the stealth coating's not so great for the roof but it'll be "okay".

In the end order is restored to the known universe and despite all my troubles I suppose it's comforting to learn a deep moral code apparently exists amongst roofers today; it seems not many are willing to eschew the force and cross over to the dark side.

Editors Note - Roofer #2 has yet to return for his check. Laziness? Cosmic existential dilemma? You decide.

The View From Inside

2009-04-04T13:16:00.036-04:00

"Dude!.... are you that guy that made "Inside, everything is really nice ohhhhhh inside"???! Seriously if you are him I want to thank you so much for making that song. I haven't heard it in years but it's still on my old computer because it came with Musicmatch Jukebox as a sample song. That's one of my favorite songs EVER! I still sing it all the time even though I haven't heard it. Anyway I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you for making such a beautiful song. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it because of the memories I get. Believe it or not that song had an impact on my life when I was going through some hard times and it always made me feel the future will be better...And it is! Anyway thank you so much! Much love! :D "

Thought I'd put my usual snarky, cornball antics aside this week and share a cool note (above) I received yesterday re: a tune I wrote. It's weird, making records is like having children in a way; usually a painful birth, followed by unconditional investments of love and nurturing, yielding bi-polar mixtures of both sadness and great joy. You might make 'em but you don't own 'em and when they're ready, they go off into the world and take on a life of their own. Finding friends, making enemies, causing ruckuses or quietly keeping to themselves. They might phone home once and a while but you're never quite sure what they're really doing out there.

My memory's a bit foggy but back in '99 when my first record, "Pop Job", quietly hit the streets I kind of remember my label, Parasol, making a deal with some entity connected to Microsoft or Musicmatch that allowed for the inclusion of my tune, "Inside", within an early mp3 player Bill & Co. were bundling with their operating systems. Chances are if you bought a PC with Windows around this time you probably received "Inside" hidden, er, inside your computer.

Cut to ten years later when I receive this amazing, flattering and touching note from a total stranger thanking me for giving them a little joy and helping them navigate some rough emotional terrain in their life. Heavy and humbling, it briefly washes away all the negatives I've accumulated and associated with the music 'business' over the years. Whenever I'm lucky enough to receive one of these appreciative messages it also serves to remind me why I do what I do - because I love it and hope to make that personal connection with folks at some level via the music I create. They say the true artist creates for himself and no one else. I'm not so sure I'd agree; seems a little selfish even to a narcissistic-artistic type such as myself. Alternately, it might smack of self-importance to think a tune I wrote (sitting on a broken futon in my apartment) could affect someone's life in a positive way but amazingly, the reality is, it seems one has and for that I'm honored and grateful.

"Hey, Honey! The kid just called, he got a promotion at work today!"

Much Love Indeed,
-mb

The Cult of the Snuggie

2009-03-29T11:33:00.040-04:00

Is it me or is this sort of creepy (see above)?

(Announcer's voice bursts in) "It's not creepy! It's the Snuggie! The blanket with sleeves!..."

If you're anything like me (& I hope to God you're not), one-part insomniac/one-part hard-core night person, you probably often find yourself wandering this earth or puttering around your dwelling in the wee hours when more sensible folks are dead to the world. Subconsciously I think I probably feel sleep is over-rated and a waste of precious free time; Time better spent creating music, reading or watching crap TV.

If you're one of my late-night, channel-surfing brethren you've probably come across this rhymin' Snuggie commercial. For the uninitiated, the Snuggie is this kind of blanket with sleeves that you can put your arms through so you can continue to use your appendages as they stay snug as a bug in a...well, Snuggie. Sounds good in theory (although I think they already invented this a thousand years ago, it's called a sweater) and it probably indeed works in practice but the downside, as you've undoubtedly seen from the video, is the aesthetic of the Snuggie; It's, well, just plain F'in kooky at best. Chances are unless you're some kind of medieval monk or "of one with the body of Landru" (a totally nerdy Star Trek reference) then you're gonna look pretty insane wearing a Snuggie. I love the pitch in the commercial - Read a book, use your laptop, enjoy a snack, worship false Gods! But wait, there's more! Comes in not one but 3 totally strange choices of color! Great for drafty dorm rooms, great for the outdoors, great for burning people at the stake, machine washable! Check out the old dude in the Snuggie spot who looks like Paulie Walnuts sitting in his recliner eating popcorn. Pure awesome Snuggie-ness.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any freakier, it seems the good folks at Snuggie have outdone themselves - Introducing the Snugglette! It's the mini-Snuggie for kids! Wow...I kind of don't know what to say. Even I'm a little weirded out at this point. What's next? Jim Jones flavored Kool-Aid?

Supposedly they've sold millions of Snuggies (including designer versions) and even Oprah wears one (so you know it must be good). Apparently people go on organized pub-crawls wearing Snuggies these days. Who knew? And really who am I to scoff at progress or the seemingly unbridled insanity of the 21st century? Rave on Snuggie children, I'm with ya.

I do look pretty cool in burgundy.

Of one with the Snuggie,
-mb

Editor's Note - I just heard the ShamWow guy got busted for beating down a hooker. Wow, what a sham(e).

I Like Wearing Clothes

2009-03-22T02:06:00.013-04:00

Mark Bacino - "I Like Wearing Clothes"

After completing my new album, feeling fairly burnt out and feeling as though there was nothing left to squeeze from the creative ether, surprisingly new tunes began to appear.

There must be 5 million songs in the history of pop music that encourage people to take their clothes off. For some reason I thought it was time to write one about keeping them on. See above lo-fi, web-cam jam; lyrics below if you'd like to follow the bouncing Blog and sing along.

Sorry for the substandard audio, apparently my laptop mic came with a sweet, built-in phaser effect. I like to pretend it's 1976, Phil Ramone's producing and after a bottle of red and a few bottles of white we've decided to throw a Small Stone across the whole mix.

Guess I am still crazy after all these years.

Don't go changin',
-mb

I Like Wearing Clothes

Ever since I was a little lad,
I hated strippin' down it made me sad
Bath time terrors, watch the teardrops flow
I'm sorry Momma, I like wearing clothes.

Now I'm grown, I'm not that little man
And my baby she just cant understand
Why she's never ever seen my toes
I'm sorry baby, I like wearing clothes

Don't take me for a seaside holiday
Shorts and sandals, ah keep them away
No, skinny-dippins' never in my plans
Cause I only burn, I never tan...

Not comfortable inside my birthday suit
Rather have a jacket and a nice pair of boots
Now I'm no crazy semi-kind of prude
It's just a lifestyle not an attitude

Styles may come and styles may go
Muffin tops and bellies hanging low
Not everybody's body's built for show
I'm sorry people, I like wearing clothes

I'm sorry Momma, I like wearing clothes
I'm sorry baby, I like wearing clothes

Copyright MB 2009/BMI

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Gas Leak...

2009-03-13T12:53:00.021-04:00

When the Greek historian Herodotus first committed this famous phrase to paper (parchment?) 2500 years ago, words now commonly attributed to the work ethic of our fine US postal service, I guess he didn't take into account a strong postal workers union or NYC's crumbling infrastructure. Back then I suspect a gas leak meant nothing more than the result of one's late-night Hummus binge.

Anyway, the other day I look at the clock, damn it's 2:30, I want to get to the post office; I have a half hour. Now normally I avoid the post office as much as humanly possible but not unlike a post-Hummus Herodotus, sometimes you just have to go. The mundane occasion? Having just finished my taxes, my accountant suggests I mail the paperwork off to the various governmental PO Boxes via Certified Mail to prove to Uncle Sam I actually submitted my tax forms in the event Uncle Sam looses my tax forms en route to Recessionville, USA. Sounds reasonable. I suppose I'd rather visit the post office now than the IRS later. With that thought in mind, I grab the forms and the 3 year old and we're off.

Five minutes later the boy and I score a cherry parking spot in front of the place. With the kid in one arm, the forms in the other and 3 quarters in the meter, we weave through the traffic as we cross the street and land at the door. Looking up we're greeted with a very official looking sign (pic above) written in gov. issued Sharpie. Gas leak?! In a post office?! Did the postal union lobby for gas powered stamp machines? Were gas fueled, Rumsfeld issued, Anthrax eradicators installed? And don't you just love the use of the word, "possible"? So committal these government types. Like there may or may not be a gas leak but either way Uncle Sam's not sticking around to find out. Mail? What mail? Herodotus who? You're out of luck, Jack; go to the main branch if you have any quarters left. Right away I'm pissed; this is exactly why I hate going to the post office - the almost inevitable clusterfu*k; the very embodiment of the term "going postal". C'mon, I just want to mail my F'in taxes but once again the fear of the unknown, the fear of the "possible" has hindered the progress of this great nation. Back in the car I wonder if there's a color-code for "possible gas leak" over at the Dept. of Homeland Insecurity.

With the clock hands dangerously close to the 3pm hour, we arrive at post office #2 the next neighborhood over. No gas leak here (although it smells as if someone might have taken a leak). We fill out the little green forms, hand over the envelopes, pay the Sam...mission accomplished.

On the way home I reward my son's postal patience with a doughnut from Dunkin' Ds. Now there's an organization with a solid work ethic. I guaranty if they ever had a "possible" gas leak or the roof had blown off that mo' fo' you'd still be able to get a cup of coffee and a plain stick.

Winding the car back home I feel mildly triumphant but the smell of victory is quickly snuffed with an all too familiar fragrance wafting from the 21st century, back-seat historian with half-eaten doughnut in hand and that relieved look on his face.

Possible gas leak indeed.

Rock Show

2009-03-13T03:06:00.015-04:00

It's a way off but just wanted to let everyone know that the band and I will be playing Wednesday, May 13th, 7pm at The Living Room in NYC. Should be fun; we'll be playing the new record in its entirety (with a horn section), in running order and we'll probably kick out some old school jams as well, time permitting. Of course I'll harp on this again as the date gets closer but just figured I'd throw it out there now so you can mark your calendars, reschedule your vacations, weddings, etc.

XO
-mb

...And Your Momma Don't Rock 'n Roll

2009-02-28T11:32:00.025-05:00

So before my Mom went off to serve her annual tour of duty as snowbird first-class in Florida's National Yard, I gave her a copy of my new record to take along. Now it's always odd when I give something like this to my folks; a) it's not very R 'n R, b) it makes me feel like I'm 8 again presenting that lumpy clay ashtray made in art class and c) I know they probably won't get it, leading to eventual emotional distress. Yet knowing all this, I still hand over my latest creations. Weird. Like no matter how old you get, you're still looking for parental approval even if it's via the deepest caverns of your subconscious.

Fast-forward. Weeks go by and...nothing. Radio silence. Now my Mom's a talker, a "people person", she's never at a loss for words; we speak often. I'm pretty sure Ma Bell installed their whole fiber network off the revenue from my Mother's phone bills back in the 70's. I mean put her in a room with Kim Jong-il and an hour later they'll gleefully be sharing hairspray tips. Anyway, one day we're speaking and finally I just come out with it - "So, did you ever listen to the album?" Nervous pause. My Mom tells me yes, but she's been waiting to talk to me about it because there's a bit of a problem. You see the album's great, my best yet, but unfortunately unlike my other records, she can't hear any of the words on this one. My step-dad (in his 80s) thinks there must be something technically wrong with the disc or the way the album was put together; all the music is much louder than my voice. My Mom (78) concurs but before they laid the bad news on me they wanted to run it by my Aunt (in her 60s) to see what she thought. Now I'm pretty sure my Aunt never did a stint at The Hit Factory but I resist the urge to ask (ya never know, the 80's were pretty crazy, yo). Turns out my Aunt "played the record on her computer" then passed along her take. Seems she can understand some of the words but not all; she agrees something's amiss.

Now I'd like to tell you I took the high-road and maintained my composure. I'd like to say I calmly reminded myself that the people feeding me this info watch "The O'Reilly Factor" on the flat-screen at my place with the volume at 75 (Literally. I don't think I've ever taken her above 20). I'd like to say all these things but I can't... I lost it.

I suppose the two years worth of work and money invested in this album have taken their toll. I know the mixes are fine. I guess there's just something about that ability your parents have to (unintentionally) get under your skin and play upon your insecurities that can somehow rattle the most stalwart of emotional cages.

Now back off townsfolk, put down your torches, ok? I know I should have been cooler but you'll be relieved to hear all's well on the domestic front. Like most good, totally dysfunctional Mother and son relationships, my Mom and I have successfully come to disavow the existence of any such altercation.

What have I learned? Well, going forward I've promised myself that I'll be a little more patient with the folks. Anything less than that is just a character flaw on my part. I've also promised myself that I'm going to work on the self-doubt thing. I'm an adult now, just because my Mom says something, that doesn't mean it's so. Matter of fact I'm gonna put all of this into practice just as soon as I get back from the studio...

...I'm going in to check my mixes (sigh).

-Sigmund

Editor's Note - Apparently these crazy interwebs reach Florida and all parties mentioned above have now read this silly missive. As a life-long Democrat my Aunt would like to go on record as saying she does NOT watch "The O'Reilly Factor". My Mom would like to go on record as saying this Blog reminds her of Erma Bombeck and I would like to go on record as saying - awesome.

In the Air Tonight

2009-02-21T09:59:00.025-05:00

I'd be lying if I said it's been a boring week...

The excitable optimist in me would love to elaborate but unfortunately he's been put in a full-body cast (as usual) by his evil twin, the eternal pessimist. Hopefully one of these days "Mr. Sunshine" will get his day in court but for now he has to settle for his usual dreams of revenge and a wire hanger to scratch those nagging itches.

Between you and I (whispers), Sunny did manage to rattle off a few choice tidbits I'd like to share as he was wheeled off to x-ray -

I'm happy and honored to report that the unlikely premise of a songwriting collaboration between your humble corespondent and legendary British producer Hugh Padgham (The Police, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, etc) has become a reality. A track of ours will be included on a special project that Hugh will be producing. Pretty heady stuff for a kid who used to take the bus to the record store back in the day to snatch up cassettes of (unknowingly at the time) Padgham produced albums like The Police's "Ghost in the Machine", Split Enz's "Time and Tide" or XTC's "English Settlement". If you were alive in the 80's/90's chances are any time you flipped on your radio or watched MTV you were hearing a lot of music that passed through the very capable hands of Mr. Padgham. Even you snickering hipsters reading this right now (I hear you, btw) have to admit that at one point or another you've secretly air-drummed to the gated tom fills of "In the Air Tonight". You have Mr. Padgham to thank for that bedroom rockstar moment, beard-boy.

In addition to his numerous past accomplishments, Hugh is just as active these days having recently produced Brit-pop wunderkinds McFly amongst others.

Anyway, I'll pass more info along on this and the other potential good happenings when I can; Mr. Pessimist is giving me dirty looks and Sunny's calling me to hold that bent straw up to his blow hole.

You can't hurry love,
-mb

Love American Style

2009-02-14T11:20:00.014-05:00

So being the good little calendar observant zombie Hallmark wants me to be, I set out with my little man, LJ, yesterday to buy a few Valentine's Day cards for my wife. Honestly, I'm not big on these kinds of faux holidays; like I need a national reminder that prompts me to tell a person I care for that I love them via a horribly written card and some bad chocolates with that white haze over them.

Anyway, there we stood in the stationary store, shoulder to shoulder with our zombie brethren, eyes wide and glassy trying to visually navigate all the touching cards and sentiments that the shopkeepers were so gracious to lay out for us in precise detail - "for wife from husband", "from Granddaughter to Grandmother", "from left-wing radical to Nazi sympathizer sweetie". It's all there, the Long Tail greeting card style, frilly and frothy.

Now if all this sensory overload wasn't enough, down the isle stood this awesome, 50-something gentleman reading each card one by one and muttering some sort of comment to himself afterward under his breath like, "nope", "crap". Distracted by the floor show, I didn't realize my son was systematically rearranging a bunch of cards as only a 3 yr. old can, pulling them from their appointed cubbies and moving them to foreign categories. For a moment I thought of stopping him but honestly the glorious prospect of the Nazi sympathizer getting an "I love you Grandma" card was just too great a concept for me to interfere with... "Enjoy, my boy, enjoy!"

As a reward for exceedingly good stationary store behavior, LJ and I stopped by the bakery on the way home to get the big boy a cookie. It seems even the neighborhood bakerman is in on the Valentine's Day action and of course after the marketing dose he just received, my son selects the biggest heart-shaped cookie (see above pic) this side of a Mount Airy Lodge Jacuzzi.

A half an hour and a half a cookie later my son, looks up at me, cringes and says, "Daddy, my stomach feels funny".

Love hurts my grievous angel, love hurts...

Happy Valentine's Day.

XO,
Gram

Doin' the Body Rock

2009-02-08T09:22:00.020-05:00

"C'mon on and get that rock 'n roll in your feet, in your feet, in your feet. C'mon and get that rock 'n roll in your feet, doin' the Body Rock..."

So two days a week my son and I go to Nursery school; we play games with the other kids and their parents, we make construction paper Snowmen, we read stories, we learn how to share everything from snacks and toys to the occasional Strep Throat virus (a personal fave) but best of all we do, "The Body Rock".

A highlight of 'circle time' (at least for me) along with the other awesome jams we kick out like "Copycat" and "Animal Action", "The Body Rock" sounds kind of like it was cut by The Georgia Satellites after a Frosted Flakes bender and encourages everyone to employ various parts of their anatomy and "shake it up to the beat". Good times.

Now of course I'm probably supposed to insert some more snobby-ass, hipster musician comments here or lament the corporate co-opting of my sacred Rock 'n Roll for the day-care set and beyond but nay, I won't; we can save that for the Grammys (do they still have those, btw?), instead what I shall humbly leave you with are simply the wise words of Body Rockers, Greg & Steve...

"When you get your body rockin' to that rockin' beat, the feelin' is oh, so sweet..."

XO,
Moby

Listen to The Body Rock and other faves

New Year, New Blog, New Album, New Band

2009-02-01T13:31:00.004-05:00

As '09 begins to make its own way, no longer that sorry, after-thought of a year that sits next to the scribbled out '08 in your checkbook, I thought I'd tell you good folks a bit about what's happening here at self-indulgence headquarters.

So obviously the Blog is new but I'm also proud to announce the birth of a new record, appropriately titled for this space, "Queens English". The record's basically a melancholy love letter to NYC and life in its outer-boroughs. I'm not going to lie and say it was an easy birth; two years in utero, I'm happy to report album and father are doing well. A bit of a departure from albums past but I think there's still enough in the sauce as to not disappoint those who like their MB 'old school'.

I produced, recorded and mixed a lot of the album myself although that said, I also got by with a little help from my friends; well, a good deal of help actually. Many cool folks kindly lent their time and talents to the effort and for that I'm eternally grateful. One album track of which I'm particularly proud, "Bridge & Tunnel", finds yours-truly crooning over an orchestral background and features the upright bass stylings of Norah Jones' producer/bassist, Lee Alexander. Famed engineer George Marino also lent his talents and mastered the record at Sterling Sound.

If anyone would like to join my mailing list and receive an advance mp3 from the album just drop a note to - mark@popjob.com with "free track" in the subject heading.

Going forward, as I look for a release home for the album and prepare for the record to 'drop' as they say, I've also assembled a live band with some old friends - Cheri, Matty, John - and some new - Jay-Sherman Godfrey (Laura Cantrell) and Bob Byrne (The Sharp Things) - coming on board. Hopefully we'll be hitting the stage soon (once we get our sh*t together).

As always, thanks for your support,
Bartles & Jaymes

Crazy Little Thing Called Blog

2009-02-01T10:25:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the first post of my Blog, "Queens English". Who am I? Well, my name's Mark Bacino - I'm a singer of songs, a writer of songs and a producer of songs (is that too many 'songs' for one sentence?) based in the NYC borough of Queens, aka 'the new Brooklyn'.

When I'm not making noise in the studio or on the stage you'll most likely find me annoying my lovely and talented artist wife, "P" or hanging with my (sings Liverpudlian-like) "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...beautiful boy", Lee Joseph (he's 3).

I suspect all of the aforementioned will spill into these virtual pages as things progress.

Why should you read this? No idea, really. I suppose if you like my music and you're bored you might enjoy reading about what kind of peanut butter is in my fridge (Skippy = safe?), what kind of microphones I favor (Neumann) or who's music I'm currently listening to (Ryan Adams "Heartbreaker"). I am only here but to humbly, yet narcissistically, lay it all at your feet for your perusal, enjoyment, involuntary eye-rolling, etc.

Stay tuned...

XO,
-mb