Following on from our assessment of Mark Ciani’s single and lyric video, ‘Some Variety Of Purgatory‘, we converse with Mark himself.
How does “Some Type of Purgatory” replicate your background and creative journey up so far?
Effectively, I’m not a lot of a poet. Nonetheless I endeavor to seize life experiences in a manner that feels genuine. I gained’t draw back from the complexities and nuances that authenticity calls for, even after I’m writing a three-minute pop tune. There’s a doomed relationship on the heart 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 simple to really feel sorry for somebody experiencing that. Alternatively, the particular person is just not doing themselves any favors in how they select to manage. Perhaps that’s additionally relatable, though I hope not. And at last, the particular person makes some progress by the top of the tune. They’ll acknowledge that the one who damage 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 reasonably chaotic method. That’s roughly what I attempt to do.
In what methods do you resonate with the story instructed in “Some Type of Purgatory?” Is the idea rooted in a private expertise or reminiscence?
The tune is just not biographical within the sense that I used to be not writing a couple of particular relationship of my very own. However I drew by myself experiences to put in writing the lyrics. Actually, I’ve skilled relationships flip bitter the place I vacillated between anger and despair to real remorse to some extra difficult fact 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 flooring. So there’s that.
Speak to us a bit of bit concerning the writing and creation course of for this tune. Did you could have a particular imaginative and prescient in thoughts?
Not at first. I have a tendency to put in writing 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 traditional, “Some Type of Great.” I believed I’d be so intelligent if I might write a tune concerning the darker facet of romance known 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 not often hear in tune — just like the petty (and pathetic) urge to analyze 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 after I completed the top 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 components, an anxiety-inducing nightmare and a euphoric end result of a months- or years-long artistic journey. For this explicit tune, I used to be stunned by how few challenges it introduced. I recorded the synth components by myself 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, significantly as a result of there are such a lot of shifts from part to part, would require loads 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 beautiful concord within the refrain. My co-producer and recording engineer Fernando Lodeiro captured improbable sounds and helped direct us via the recording. I attribute the benefit of the manufacturing to having labored with most of those of us for a number of albums. I belief that they’ll perceive my imaginative and prescient, and I belief that they’ll add to it; I simply have to stay versatile sufficient within the studio to allow them to flex and take a look at 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” steadiness staying true to your indie roots whereas evolving musically?
In 2022, I launched two albums known as King of Dying and King of Dying Returns. I felt like these albums had been one thing I had been making an attempt to put in writing for years. For me, it was “mission completed.” I had written my massive, sweeping, melodramatic rock epic. After 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’s going to quickly seem on titled The Catacombs, are one other step into the artistic unknown. I believe my music is shifting away from an simply labeled style into one thing that’s uniquely my sound. Whether or not that sound is sweet or not is for the listener to resolve, however I’m personally and selfishly gratified to look at my evolution as a songwriter, producer, and performer.
What visible components within the lyric video stand out to you? Why did you select to accompany the tune with these components?
The lyric video is all concerning the vibes. My precedence with the lyric video was to incorporate a number of photos that conveyed the temper of the lyrical content material and sonic components with out making an attempt to be a visible reproduction of them. The pictures of static on a tv and flying birds in opposition to a gray sky are good examples. They replicate a sure sort of introspective discomfort that underscores loads 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 Variety 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 eager about something too heavy. So, maybe I’m primarily hoping to elicit pleasure from the sonic expertise, and secondarily, catharsis by the use of the lyrics.
Following the album launch, what objectives do you hope to perform as an artist subsequent?
My purpose is at all times to create the subsequent mission. I attempt to write about 50 songs per album, after which decide one of the best 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 report. Then, I’ll obsess about that report 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 Variety Of Purgatory’ beneath, and comply with Mark Ciani on-line for extra about his music on Instagram, and TikTok.
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