On Your Radio

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)

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

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)

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

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!

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

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? I suppose the answer is 'yes' since this marks the final chapter but anyway, pull up a metal recliner and crack open a Piels, there's still one more question that needs to be addressed...

Track 11: "Who Are Yous?" -

As I focus on the last track of the record this week, I realize the song's title could also be used to sum up the musical journey of self-discovery traveled in the creation of this album. From the very DIY production methods I found I needed to employ in order to achieve my vision, to the (sometimes unknowingly) autobiographical nature of the songs, this project, ultimately, helped me come to terms with where I'm at and what I'm about these days.

Written from the hard-boiled perspective of a neighborhood old-timer and intended as a response to the gentrification celebration that is the album's title track, "Who Are Yous?" also, hopefully, serves as a minimalistic mini-metaphor, highlighting those occasions of flux in our lives when we're forced to look within, ask big questions and reconcile, for ourselves, who we are with who we were and who we thought we'd be.

Who Are Yous?

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