Sunday, March 7, 2010

MARKUS - Portugal/ Electronica/Alternative/Ambient





(You had me worried for a moment, when I only received two of my questions back Markus lol!
lol Sorry about the delay.Thank you very much for be so kind)

Thank-you Markus, in giving us a little bit of knowledge into the art of your music!
my first question for you is, on you Profile you mention you base your influences on sound, images, people and world experiences. Having been raised in Portugal what musical influences would you say were most influential to you as a teenager?


Since i was a kid I have listened a lot of different music. My father always adored music and he listens to music from all over the world, but i remember of growing up listening all kind of artists..like Paco de Lucia, Al de Meola, Path Matheny, Genesis, Simon and Garfunkel, Pink Floyd, The Queen, José Feleciano, Nat King Cole ...well a lot of good stuff, when I was like thirteen, Nirvana was a Boom all over the world and also in Portugal..and i liked it, but at that time i also listened The Doors, Aerosmith, Guns and Roses, Metallica, Bryan Adams. The guys I was hanging out with, were older than me and they introduced me to Black Sabath and Deep Purple. At that time one of these guys was my neighbour and some times we used to play guitar together. He was maybe 40 years old and an excellent drummer..he taugh me some technics and i started to play drums too, so as a teenager my aim influences came from my Father and from this neighbour - Aloísio, and of course, from my friends.. at that time we had to discover music on our own, cause we didn't have musical education at school. I did discover a lot of different music and this dinamic was always connected with friends. At the same time, ourselves tried to make music and a special kind of music, something original, never heard before. ... it has always the been point: play original music.
So i can't say that portuguese music had a significant influence on my first contact with music. But actually, i am ware of nice portuguese music. But the truth is that, Today, All World is a influence for me. I've become more sensitive to watch more things and their connection, so this continuing observation allows me to realize different things all the time. And because the World is changing so fast and i try analyze and realize how can i do it what in music. From this point Everything influences me.. Politic, People, Culture, the planet actual problems, everything! Everything i see it is important to take a moment and think about that. From there I try to create something


You have an album " Sound of My Nature" to be released soon on " Mind Expansion Records". How long did it take to produce and do you have a release date you can share with us?

Yes, it's true.. I've been working on this album about 2006. All the process is a work in progress. In 2006 I received an offer from RANDALL NIEMANN, the manager from Mind Expansion , to release a full Album and a Vinyl 7" Single. He is a great guy and a great Musician (from the band Fuxa) He told to me: "Don't be rush, take your time, when you feel it's done we make it.." Well i loved the idea and i'm working since then. Probably it will be released this Summer. But for now i have two songs on the first and second Mind Expansion Compilation. It's a great Compilation with Great Bands, it's a honor for me to be part of that

I understand Markus, you will be giving live concerts soon, are you able to give any clues to your fans as to where and when, and where would you like to give your ultimate live concert , do you have a preferred place?

Well...i would love to give concerts all over the world, in all Continents, for total different Audiences. But for know i'm expecting some reactions about my music..I don't pretend to be rich or famous and the things are very different today if we think of music in that matter. The music business is very weird and I do want to make it in the simple way. Like I said before, i'm truly happy to be part of the Mind Expansion Family, it's an excellent label to make this project come true. About the Concerts, they will be happen when the Album comes out... for know I'm finishing the first level, and then I will try to make something important to get People inside this journey

Do you play any musical instruments and if so, when did you begin?

I started on the music with 14 years old. I was learning Classic Guitar with a good friend and teacher called Rui Aires.I've learned from him for 3 years and then I was able to do something with my first instrument, Country songs sometimes and Rock songs too.I love organic instruments and then I started to explore all Basic Rock instruments: Bass,Electric Guitar,Drums. I had some contact with Piano too, but is is now that I'm trying to learn more about it. The Synths and software programmers, are part of my world of course and I love this new possibility to make good sounds with low prices

Your CD which you commented is based on your "own concept and experience of intimist music " can you describe to us what you consider to be IM?

It is a little bit of everything I've said before. It is nothing you can see and touch, but is something you can probably feel. I try to make happen my day experiences on the music. Experiences come from my inner processes directly out to the instruments.
Maybe this idea is more felt in some of the songs .. i have one song called "Isabella". It's about my Wife and the things I experience through Her. Well..Probably it is some kind of new romantic music i don't know, but is very intimist for sure..lol
I have others songs related with all us..the actually problems in the world..well it..s my way to transform the real stories in music


Do you find the fan-base in Portugal to react differently to your music from the North American fan-base, if so, do you have examples of some responses?

I have very good feedback from myspace community. It's very encouraging for me to see some good and deep comments. For me it means that I should keep on with this project. I don't see my music with a strict direction for only one type of person.. As I said before, I hope to connect to every kind of people as the points I stand out in the album are related to all World and all Cultures, not only for Portugal State

My Last question to you is, do you prefer to watch a Sunrise or a Sunset lol?

Well I think this is the most dificult question..lol... because there are two different feelings in those parts of the day. Depending of the state of mind, the sunrise is very hopefull, it's a new day borning with a new opportunity to make it different .But with a good company, sunrise and sunset are wonderful..lol!!!

DENISE LAFRANCE Toronto Canada Painter/writer/actor




This statement was completed in 2008

Also this is the question that was posted Who is Denise Lafrance:


The Golden Heart & Soul of XXX~
A Celebration of People

So, to make this an easy explanation of my idea's origin here I am publishing an excerpt of an interview my friend, journalist, Victor von Buchastab junior wrote about me:
"Recently, I caught up with the Toronto-based artist / writer, and asked about her inspiration behind the book…



"I was a burlesque entertainer for 16 years," recalls Denise, "and I was noticing the public casting value judgment on me; making false assumptions about my intelligence and moral fiber."



So, I took the most intense example of the adult entertainment industry—porn—and decided to put my journalistic skills to use… and I have been interviewing these people about their personal lives, outside the industry, and painting their portraits.
I am focussing mostly on the key porn people from the 1970's era because this was the turn of the Sexual Revolution; the time when the "Porn Ball" really got rolling.


Very generally, this book is being created by me with the aim to celebrate the dignity and humanity of the key figures in the porn industry in all sects of the business, and to defend these people's honor in reaction to the attempted demonization religious zealots and certain sects of Media have attempted to portray over a long course of time via corrosive misrepresentation and selectivity in what they choose to-- and not to reveal about the people in the porn industry.



All in all, the interviews are touching, humorous, entertaining and most of all revealing the common thread of Humanity that is present in each and every one of these people.



Even in situations where the subject may be discussing something sad like illness or heartache, I steer the tone of the interview to be compassionate but, at the same time, up beat and positive/hopeful.



The reader will feel like a fly on the wall; eavesdropping in on a porn star talking in a very personal manner with a friend.



We joke around. Sometimes, I reveal some of my own self to the porn star throughout the course of our conversations...so the reader will also get a feel for the person who is conducting the interviews.

Each interview is accompanied with a very flattering hand painted watercolor portrait that I've created which reveals and celebrates the dignity of the subject.

Deep inside, we're all the same; people with hopes, dreams, family, aspirations and feelings."
Georgina Spelvin (of 'Devil in Miss Jones" fame) wrote the foreword for my book.
Here is what she says in the foreword:
Foreword
by
Georgina Spelvin
I was bowled over when Denise LaFrance asked to paint my portrait from a photo. After all, The Devil In Miss Jones (source of my 15 minutes of fame) was made over thirty years ago! Fishing in an old trunk under the bed, I found some shots from that era and sent them to her. The resulting work left me speechless. She not only picked the most flattering shot, she skillfully managed to create an intelligent looking glamour puss out of it. I should only have looked so good – ever.
During the exchange of messages and phone conversations that took place working out the logistics, we bonded. Denise has a skill, not just for painting, but for drawing people out about themselves and their feelings. Hence the depth of expression and life in her work that takes a photo to a whole other dimension.
The more I learned of her ambitions for this book, the more my admiration for her grew. I loved her idea of presenting the familiar faces of the better-known sex performers – especially those of us from the past – with accompanying profiles of their very human aspirations, disappointments, triumphs and defeats.
"Hey, these are real people with real lives beyond the porn industry," she said. "I want to give each an opportunity to present those aspects of themselves that the standard porn press has traditionally scorned. Most importantly, I want each of them to feel they have complete control over the content."
Denise's book presents the people from the porn industry in a very humanistic and compassionate light. Also, it offers them a platform to speak freely about the things they are truly passionate about. What more could an adult adult-film star ask?
Well, I intend to ask for a copy of the book. That's for sure. I know you will enjoy yours.
This book is still in the making and I am currently re-searching for an appropriate and reputable publisher as the person who had initially asked to look at (and most likely publish the book), Judith Regan of Regan Publishing; A division of Harper Collins publishing, got canned.
To date, the subjects in my book are:
Georgina Spelvin
Harry Reems
Jamie Gillis
PT (Paul Thomas)
Candida Royalle
Ron Jeremy
Joey Silvera
Bill Margold
Gloria Leonard
Johnney Keyes
Marilyn Chambers
Juliet Anderson ("Aunt Peg")
Kay Parker
Veronica Hart (now known as director, Jane Hamilton)
Herschel savage
Randy West
Dr. Sharon Mitchell of AIM Healthcare
Annie Sprinkle
Eric Edwards
Sharon Cain
Kitten Natividad
Richard Pacheco
Nina Hartley
Amber Lynn
Ginger Lynn Allen
Christy canyon
Mike Horner
Rhonda Jo Petty
Vanessa del Rio
Mai Lin
Gay San Franciscan Porn icon and friend, Peter Berlin.
Directors:
Bob Chinn (Director of Johnny WADD series) and featuring special surprise poster I painted of one of his *biggest male stars*.
Henri Pachard,
The Late Jim Hiolliday
Roy Karch (who is the 1st director to put porn on video)
Print:
Larry Flynt and Theresa Flynt-Gaerke from Hustler Magazine
Legendary porn screen writer, Raven Touchstone, also known as erotic photographer Penny Antine
Jim South; Agent to porn from Hollywood's World Modeling agency
Special commentary from and portrait of: My good friend, Xaviera Hollander; The Happy Hooker.
Once I find a suitable publisher, the personal secretary to Hugh Hefner said Hugh will consider taking part.

KARL VASY BAND U.K

First of all I would like to thank-you for taking this opportunity to answer a few questions for your fans and myself, it's always a pleasure chatting. So thank-you so much. SOO Karl! My first question is this: How does it feel presently starting a new promo campaign for your new cd?


Likewise, thanks for giving me the opportunity to bore the hell out of ya. LOL
We're all really excited about the new album, but We do still have a bit more work to do. I need to write a couple more tracks, and Jeff needs to work on the production before it's ready for release. But we're getting close to saying "It's done, thank f*** for that" LOL
I just hope you guys like it. So much work and energy goes into the writing and recording of these songs that we will be pretty anxious when we come to release it!!


Tell me how this collaboration with your band members Rolz Guilford and Jonny Whyatt came about?
How did you three meet?



Rolz, Jonny and I met in prison, it was a dark time in our lives, but at least something good came out of it....LOL. I'm just kidding.
We met at Meanstreet studio's. Rolz and Jonny were in a band before I met them, and had recorded with Jeff Guilford at the studio. I was working with Jeff on a Saturday afternoon when Jonny and Rolz turned up, I had no idea they were gonna come down. Anyway, they had both heard my songs on Myspace and knew I was gonna need a band. After a few beers we decided to start working together, and it's been great, we get on musically and on a personal level!!


How often does the band rehearse and where?



We rehearse anywhere between twice a week to six times a week depending on what commitments we have and what we need to be ready for. It's beautiful, the beers come out, the Taylors come out, and we're all happy as pigs in shit. LOL

Let's talk about the CD, do you have favourite songs that you enjoy to play live?



Erm.......No, I don't really have a favourite myself. However, I am aware that the crowd have their favourites which does make a difference to the way I feel when I play that song. But they all have to sound good live or they don't make the album. Every song that I have written means something special to me, so for me, I play them all with same passion.

What Cities have you performed and what places would you like to perform at in the future?


I have mainly performed in my home town of Nottingham and nearby city's. But I did spend a lot of time in Los Angeles working under management company's and playing shows in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. We will be returning to America very soon and I can't wait to get back on the road!!
As for places I would like to perform - that would be every major city in the world, I know, i'm proper greedy. LOL
Unfortunately, we are not going to start touring until the album is completed. When it's done, we then have something to promote and tour!!


Karl, my final question for today, where do you see yourself in 10 years time musically?


I'm really not sure. 10 years is a long time and a lot can change, but I will write music as long as people still want me to. But having said that, I do like to plan, I like to try and keep things under control, try to work out what I need to do to get where I want to be. Now, if you had asked me where I want to be in 25 years time, i'd have said i'll be happy if i'm sitting on a beach drinking pina coladas!! And I don't mean Costa Del Crime either!! Maybe the Caribbean somewhere. LOL. Yeah wouldn't we all!!