Following on from our evaluation of Mark Ciani’s single and lyric video, ‘Some Form Of Purgatory‘, we communicate with Mark himself.
How does “Some Type of Purgatory” mirror your background and inventive journey up thus far?
Effectively, I’m not a lot of a poet. Nonetheless I endeavor to seize life experiences in a means that feels genuine. I received’t draw back from the complexities and nuances that authenticity calls for, even once I’m writing a three-minute pop tune. There’s a doomed relationship on the middle of “Some Type of Purgatory” and I believe it’s very “me” to current the narrator in 3 ways. On the one hand, this particular person is sympathetic. Their coronary heart is damaged and it’s straightforward to really feel sorry for somebody experiencing that. Alternatively, the particular person isn’t doing themselves any favors in how they select to manage. Possibly that’s additionally relatable, though I hope not. And at last, the particular person makes some progress by the tip of the tune. They’ll acknowledge that the one that harm them wasn’t all unhealthy. I believe the tune displays who I’m as an artist at this level as a result of I’m cramming all of that dense lyrical content material right into a raucous rock tune that jerks from one sonic theme to the subsequent in a fairly chaotic method. That’s kind of what I attempt to do.
In what methods do you resonate with the story advised in “Some Type of Purgatory?” Is the idea rooted in a private expertise or reminiscence?
The tune isn’t biographical within the sense that I used to be not writing a couple of particular relationship of my very own. However I drew alone experiences to jot down the lyrics. Actually, I’ve skilled relationships flip bitter the place I vacillated between anger and despair to real remorse to some extra difficult reality in between the 2. And I’ve performed video video games that I don’t like, fallen asleep with a Keanu film enjoying within the background, and been laughed off a dance ground. So there’s that.
Discuss to us a little bit bit concerning the writing and creation course of for this tune. Did you might have a particular imaginative and prescient in thoughts?
Not at first. I have a tendency to jot down by bashing across the piano till a melody drifts into my in any other case empty thoughts. I had this chaotic melodic hook for the verses and the refrain, however I wasn’t positive what to do with it till I began writing the lyrics. The germ of the lyrical idea got here from the soul basic, “Some Type of Fantastic.” I assumed I’d be so intelligent if I may write a tune concerning the darker facet of romance referred to as “Some Type of Purgatory.” Right here we’re, no extra intelligent however with a brand new single. I’d name {that a} win. As soon as I had the title, I began to consider trustworthy, ugly emotions that I hardly ever hear in tune — just like the petty (and pathetic) urge to research an ex’s on-line presence, and the equally deplorable hope that they’re not doing effectively with out you. I knew I hit on one thing once I completed the tip of the final verse. In any case of that ugliness, there stays an admiration and craving for the particular person.
Did you encounter any challenges or surprises in the course of the manufacturing course of for this tune?
The manufacturing course of is at all times, equal elements, an anxiety-inducing nightmare and a euphoric fruits of a months- or years-long inventive journey. For this explicit tune, I used to be stunned by how few challenges it offered. I recorded the synth elements alone earlier than heading into the studio, however I had no prior rehearsals with the band. I anticipated that speaking my imaginative and prescient for the tune, notably as a result of there are such a lot of shifts from part to part, would require a whole lot of trial and error. However the guys (Kirk Schoenherr, Grant Zubritsky and Jon Smith) understood what I used to be going for in a short time. Jeni Magana, who sings the background vocals added a stunning concord within the refrain. My co-producer and recording engineer Fernando Lodeiro captured improbable sounds and helped direct us by way of the recording. I attribute the convenience of the manufacturing to having labored with most of those people for a number of albums. I belief that they may perceive my imaginative and prescient, and I belief that they may add to it; I simply have to stay versatile sufficient within the studio to allow them to flex and check out stuff. I suppose that flexibility ends in some (very constructive) surprises as a result of they add a lot of their creativity to the songs.
How does “Some Type of Purgatory” stability staying true to your indie roots whereas evolving musically?
In 2022, I launched two albums referred to as King of Loss of life and King of Loss of life Returns. I felt like these albums have been one thing I had been making an attempt to jot down for years. For me, it was “mission achieved.” I had written my large, sweeping, melodramatic rock epic. Once I completed them, I felt so unburdened. Since then, I believe my writing has grown extra attention-grabbing than ever as a result of I don’t really feel tethered to the style, to expectation, and even to my concept of what my songs ought to sound like. So, to reply your query, “Some Type of Purgatory” and the album it’ll quickly seem on titled The Catacombs, are one other step into the inventive unknown. I believe my music is transferring away from an simply categorized style into one thing that’s uniquely my sound. Whether or not that sound is nice or not is for the listener to resolve, however I’m personally and selfishly gratified to watch my evolution as a songwriter, producer, and performer.
What visible parts within the lyric video stand out to you? Why did you select to accompany the tune with these parts?
The lyric video is all concerning the vibes. My precedence with the lyric video was to incorporate a collection of photographs that conveyed the temper of the lyrical content material and sonic parts with out making an attempt to be a visible duplicate of them. The pictures of static on a tv and flying birds in opposition to a gray sky are good examples. They mirror a sure form of introspective discomfort that underscores a whole lot of the lyrics. Credit score goes to the director, Mike Kundrath, for actually pulling it collectively. I believe he did a beautiful job of capturing the spirit of the tune in a visible medium.
As a tune that explores emotions of uncertainty, what feelings are you hoping to stir in listeners of “Some Form Of Purgatory?”
If somebody dives into the lyrics, I hope that they resonate. The individuals we spend time despising are sometimes the individuals we admire and love as a result of they’re those with the capability to harm us probably the most. However actually, I very intentionally baked these lyrics into a really chaotic, enjoyable, anthemic tune that may be loved with out interested by something too heavy. So, maybe I’m primarily hoping to elicit pleasure from the sonic expertise, and secondarily, catharsis by means of the lyrics.
Following the album launch, what targets do you hope to perform as an artist subsequent?
My objective is at all times to create the subsequent mission. I attempt to write about 50 songs per album, after which choose the most effective and/or most cohesive set of songs to bundle into an album. I’ve accomplished writing my subsequent album and now I’m simply looking for time to get the band collectively to document. Then, I’ll obsess about that document till it’s completed and instantly start writing the subsequent one. I’m Sisyphus, pushing my musical boulder up an everlasting hill. The satisfaction comes from the method, however I additionally hope some listeners proceed to affix me on the journey.
You may watch the music video for ‘Some Form Of Purgatory’ under, and comply with Mark Ciani on-line for extra about his music on Instagram, and TikTok.
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