Following on from our evaluate of Mark Ciani’s single and lyric video, ‘Some Form Of Purgatory‘, we converse with Mark himself.
How does “Some Sort of Purgatory” mirror your background and inventive journey up up to now?
Properly, I’m not a lot of a poet. Nonetheless I endeavor to seize life experiences in a method that feels genuine. I gained’t shrink back from the complexities and nuances that authenticity calls for, even after I’m writing a three-minute pop track. There’s a doomed relationship on the heart of “Some Sort 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. Then again, the particular person just isn’t 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 track. They will acknowledge that the one who harm them wasn’t all unhealthy. I believe the track 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 track 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 instructed in “Some Sort of Purgatory?” Is the idea rooted in a private expertise or reminiscence?
The track just isn’t biographical within the sense that I used to be not writing a few particular relationship of my very own. However I drew by myself experiences to write down the lyrics. Actually, I’ve skilled relationships flip bitter the place I vacillated between anger and despair to real remorse to some extra sophisticated 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.
Speak to us a little bit bit concerning the writing and creation course of for this track. Did you may have a particular imaginative and prescient in thoughts?
Not at first. I have a tendency to write 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 certain what to do with it till I began writing the lyrics. The germ of the lyrical idea got here from the soul traditional, “Some Sort of Fantastic.” I assumed I might be so intelligent if I may write a track concerning the darker aspect of romance known as “Some Sort 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 track — 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 nicely with out you. I knew I hit on one thing after I completed the top of the final verse. In spite of everything of that ugliness, there stays an admiration and craving for the particular person.
Did you encounter any challenges or surprises throughout the manufacturing course of for this track?
The manufacturing course of is at all times, equal elements, an anxiety-inducing nightmare and a euphoric fruits of a months- or years-long artistic journey. For this explicit track, I used to be shocked by how few challenges it offered. I recorded the synth elements 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 track, 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 beautiful 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 benefit 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 take a look at stuff. I suppose that flexibility leads to some (very constructive) surprises as a result of they add a lot of their creativity to the songs.
How does “Some Sort of Purgatory” stability staying true to your indie roots whereas evolving musically?
In 2022, I launched two albums known as King of Demise and King of Demise Returns. I felt like these albums have been one thing I had been attempting to write down for years. For me, it was “mission completed.” I had written my huge, sweeping, melodramatic rock epic. Once I completed them, I felt so unburdened. Since then, I believe my writing has grown extra fascinating than ever as a result of I don’t really feel tethered to the style, to expectation, and even to my thought of what my songs ought to sound like. So, to reply your query, “Some Sort of Purgatory” and the album it can quickly seem on titled The Catacombs, are one other step into the artistic 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 determine, however I’m personally and selfishly gratified to watch 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 track with these components?
The lyric video is all concerning the vibes. My precedence with the lyric video was to incorporate a choice of pictures that conveyed the temper of the lyrical content material and sonic components with out attempting 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 an exquisite job of capturing the spirit of the track in a visible medium.
As a track 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 folks we spend time despising are sometimes the folks we admire and love as a result of they’re those with the capability to harm us probably the most. However truthfully, I very intentionally baked these lyrics into a really chaotic, enjoyable, anthemic track that may be loved with out fascinated with 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 purpose is at all times to create the subsequent undertaking. I attempt to write about 50 songs per album, after which decide 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 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 possibly can 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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