Exposed Vocals Interviews Marsalis Band
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Dennis: I grew up in the northwest corner of Washington near the Canadian border in a town called Custer. I have always been passionate about writing and performing. I always wanted to be a singer and songwriter from an early age. Listening to Beach Boys and Roy Orbison records when I was a kid inspired me in a big way.
Adam: I grew up south of Seattle in Federal Way. I stumbled across music at a young age and decided to focus my time/energy there instead of the athletics I was used to. I have always been glad that I did because music is something you can do forever, your entire life… although I do still play in the occasional softball leagues for fun. I play hard but don’t let a loss ruin my day… anyone out there need an extra? It’s rare I don’t get on base!
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Adam: The band went through many many names trying to find something everyone liked and wasn’t already taken. Marsalis was thrown out there and it stuck. The name reminds many in the jazz community of good music. We hope we can provide good music in a different genre.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Dennis: I think it is important to choose the right time and place to share your music for free. It really comes down to the platform and the reason for doing it.
Adam: Dennis and I have both given out a lot of free music with past projects, to get the word out. The music industry has changed dramatically over the years, but ultimately it all comes down to sharing your music with a live audience, and that’s what’s the most important to us.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Dennis: Don’t be afraid to start from the bottom but do everything with a purpose. Always keep your focus on the next step and what you need as a prerequisite to accomplish it. Never stop writing new music, content is king and a good song will always work.
Adam: Don’t be greedy. Team up and help others. Give love to other bands and artists. If there’s something you are trying to do and you can’t find a way… make a way. Also, good things take time, don’t forget it.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Dennis: Life events usually inspire me the most. A lot of the time a good melody or chord progression starts the writing process, I then build the cadences and structure, fine tune them. I lastly contemplate the story and lyrics to fit the melody and cadence and mood of the music.
Adam: For me, it’s typically while driving in the car. Nothing gets me pumped up and composing different ideas in my head more than driving. Many times I just hum an idea in my phone and send it to the group. We can build together from there.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
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We are also on the following platforms:
iTunes
Spotify
Google Play
Rhapsody
iHeartRadio
Shazam
Groove
Tidal
Amazon MP3
Deezer
Cdbaby
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Dennis: Travel the world with my family and write music. Become inspired and play with the band as often as possible.
Adam: Take week long mini tours with the band all over the world. Maybe 1 week playing shows, 1 week traveling without playing shows… repeat!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Adam: Obviously online helps a lot, but that’s just a first step. Shows is where we really see the music gaining support from people. We are frequently told our recorded material doesn’t do the band justice. It’s nice when we hear that because we think our album sounds pretty darn good, but we always strive to make our live performance top shelf and stellar.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Adam: We are currently looking to team up with some bands here in the Seattle area for a big Album Release show. We had our Vancouver BC album release show on May 21st and are now looking to make the right moves as far as a successful show here at home. We are fine doing a big show here on our own, but always have more fun sharing the spotlight with other artists/bands. Fans love seeing more than one band at a show, as well!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Dennis: Well if I wasn’t working a full time job I would be making more music!
Adam: Playing with a group where someone else was making music!
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Dennis: Compartmentalize. Find time for everything, but let art and inspiration take the lead in all that I do. Music is born from everywhere, any time and any place. You have to have to find the means to capture that moment, then flesh it out at a later time.
Adam: Turns out if I go too long without creating… I lose my life balance. It’s important for my mental health to always be creating/building somehow… and music is the best solution for me. Music is a priority… it can be writing, rehearsing, performing or just listening… it doesn’t matter… just… MUSIC.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Adam: Our new 2016 EP, a big Album release show in Seattle to follow-up our show in Vancouver BC, as well as some shows in Portland and San Francisco. Any bands that want to team up and play some shows together are encouraged to reach out to us.