Manda And The Marbles Q&A w/ Mike Borgia Staff Writer from - Altsounds.com
Mike: The obvious question is how did you find each other?
Mark Slak: Manda and i met through an advertisement in the Village voice. We later met Joe at a party. About a year ago we added a keyboard player. Joe worked with Elias back in Columbus. When we decided to add a full time keyboard player, he remebered that Elias played keys and he was looking for an excuse to move to New York. We called him up, and a week later he was in the band.
Mike: Were you all aspiring musicians that moved to New York from a small Midwest town in hopes to make it big?
Mark Slak: (laughing) Actaully YES! We're all orginally from Columbus, OH.
Mike: In NYC especially there seems to be an endless overflow of New Wave indie bands that after a while, all just blend in. In what way do you feel you stand out in this heavy mix?
Mark Slak: We're actually "Power Pop." Therefore we stand out from the "new wave" groups.
Mike: Did you (or do you) find it difficult with such a flood of bands in New York to garner a buzz with your music?
Manda: It's definately competitive. Although, that seems to push us to work harder.
Mark Slak: Press, playing shows, radio and touring all help to generate a buzz.
Joe: Also, i think a powerful, energetic live show brings the good bands to the top of the heap.
Mike: Is Addison Records an artist owned label or an official semi-established one? Personal investor? What?
Mark Slak: It's a new label run by the usual music biz types.
Mike: It seems as though you've done a good amount of touring in 2003 & 2004. I'm assuming you plan to extend your tour route even further with this new record?
Mark Slak: That's the plan. Our booking team has been talking about us going over to Europe and Japan. Also, we are in the process of booking additional dates throughout the USA. it should be a busy year.
Mike: Does having a female in the group generate an influx of male audience members?
Mark Slak: I'd say it's pretty mixed.
Mike: As the Female and front person, how do peoples attitudes reflect on you? Do you get positive respect or are there raging sex crazed drunk men looking to cop a feel over listening to you sing?
Manda: most people are respectful.
Mike: What did you all do before deciding to pursue music full time?
Mark Slak: I worked on cars. That skill has come in handy while on tour.
Manda: I was a librarian at the University.
Joe: I changed jobs quite a bit. The last job i had was working the guitar section at a music store.
That's where i met Elias.
Elias: yeah...but now i'm a student.
Mike: Who writes the majority of the songs? Is it a good collective effort or is someone the brains behind it all?
Manda: i usually write all the songs and music. The guys add their own influence to the structure of
the songs. If i get stuck while writing, they fill in the blanks.
Mark Slak: Yeah, i guess she is the brain behind it all.
Mike: What inspires all of you the most to chase this musical dream? Do you all want in for the long haul?
Manda: I think all of us will be playing music one way or another for the rest of our lives. It gets us
off. Living life in the now is the greatest inspiration. It's what keeps the ideas coming.
Mike: I noticed that you write about more upbeat party type songs. I haven't heard all the songs from your recent CD yet so are there any tracks that dig deep on a personal level unlike Ode To
Rock or Upside down?
Manda: Yes. Many songs on our cd "Angels with Dirty Faces" are about someone that is really special,
but you don't notice they're there until they are gone. "Take it out on me" and "Simple things" sort of
drive that point home.
Mike: We at altsounds have diverse tastes and enjoy your music. Is new wave your biggest influence or are you open to different styles.
Mark Slak: Actually we have diverse tastes as well. We like any type of music with passion and energy.
Mike: Emo fans tend to mock New wave fans from what I've observed. What do you have to say to that? Do you respect the depressed, deeply heartfelt emo kids? Or would you tell them to lighten up and stop whining?
Manda: I tell them to DANCE. They paid $6.00 to get in. They might as well dance, get drunk, and have a good time.
Mike: OK I'm stiring things up a bit here so I'll conclude with one last question. IF you could have one thing in this world besides being big stars what would it be?
Mark Slak: Free Pizza
Manda: More Cats
Joe: New Gear
Elias: Free Rent
Thanks so much for taking the time to talk. Great Luck to you all. I look forward to hearing more of the new CD.
Check out Manda and The Marbles on Altsounds.com right now!:
http://www.altsounds.com/mandaandthemarbles