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Mark Nicholas Interview
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May 16, 2007, 12:11am
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Mark Nicholas is an Electronic musician, based in Detroit, Michigan. He found his love for electronic music, in the late 80's, when he met his first synthesizer. He spent years saving money and collecting additional electronic equipment and by 1994, he formed the underground synthpop band 'Cosmicity'. Prior to that, he tried his hand at several bands in high school, including 'Backdoor' and 'Acceleration'.
His debut album, under the new name, is called "Duchess 33" (released Feb. 2007).
So tell me, how long was "Duchess 33" in the works and what was the main inspiration behind the new album?
The primary inspiration for this album was rainbows. And Hello Kitty. And Chococat. Maybe a tiny bit of inspiration came from the experience of my old record label, A Different Drum, declining to release my final Cosmicity album back in 2004 because of what they considered "offensive content" and the subsequent backlash against me generated by conservative whackos that blew up on internet chat rooms following that announcement... but now that I think about it, not really much of that stuff. Mostly just Chococat.
You call your music 'Dirty Electronic'. After hearing the lyrics I'm pretty sure why but is there more to it than just the words?
Oh, you think my lyrics are dirty? Hmph. Am I being interviewed by Sissy McTightpants again? No, I named my record label Dirty Electronic because I spend a lot of time and effort making sure that all of my electronics are PHYSICALLY dirty. Every connection, every cable, every knob and button is meticulously coated in black, sandy filth. It makes my music way totally unique, and the sound of all other music is way totally lame by comparison. The lyrics? Pfff. Yeah, they're dirty... if you're from Prudesvillistan.
You seem to have a love affair with synthesizers. Is there one in particular that you would love to own but have yet to purchase?
Yes, I do happen to have a love affair with one synthesizer in particular, if by "love affair" you mean a deep and meaningful relationship that I regularly consummate in an extremely sexual way. Your implication that I have love affairs with more than one synthesizer is called "polygamy", young lady, and not since the Mormans in Utah during the 1800s has such a thing been acceptable in modern society. Geeze. Perhaps you should put a little research into these questions before you ask them.
When performing live, how do you gear yourself up for the set in front of the audience? Do you have any 'pre-show rituals'?
Not really. We pretty much do the same things that all bands do before a set. Vocal exercises, pilates, testicular injections of steroids, cutting eyelids with a rusty razor blade, gargling with salt water... Blah blah blah. I won't bore you with anymore of that.
Thinking back, what was the biggest experience you brought to this new venture from your older projects?
During my old projects under the name Cosmicity, I learned how to suck. I learned it really really well. And I believe I've not only brought that level of suck with me to my new project under my real name (Mark Nicholas), I believe I've deeply expanded upon it, bringing music to an incredible new level of sucktacularness.
When you are writing your music, what kind of atmosphere do you prefer surrounding you?
I prefer an atmosphere consisting of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon, and trace amounts of other gases, which largely depend on how much cheese I've eaten in a given day.
What artists have influenced you the most?
I'd have to say top 5: Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Pablo Picasso, Bob Ross, Chuck Norris, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and the cheerleader from Heroes. Oh wait, that was like 7. But I need to keep 'em all. I can't be limited when it comes to my influences. They're all hugely important in my music.
If you could perform in any city in the world, where would it be and why?
Bangkok. Because, well, let's face it. That's just a great fucking city name, right? Cock. Bang. Perfect. And then the whole "makes a HARD man humble" thing? Seriously? Who wouldn't want to go to Bangkok?
Now to get into abit of WHO Mark Nicholas is.....
Yes, let's get into it.
What is one of your most cherished childhood memories?
When I was about 12 years old, I spent a couple of summer afternoons hanging out with Grammy award winning recording artist Christopher Cross - the man who brought you the timeless hits "Sailing" and "Arthur's Theme". (Unlike much of what I say, this is a true story!) I remember meeting him and thinking... if this guy can be a millionaire Grammy winner, then I can too. Of course, as I got older, I realized that winning a Grammy is kinda like being awarded "king of crap". So, I revised my goal a little. I now want to write a song that becomes the most popular song for strip club DJs throughout the world.
Who was your biggest hero as you grew up?
Um, Christopher Cross, duh. But for the sake of originality, and because he deserves to be mentioned, my SECOND biggest hero growing up was Frank Stallone.
Did you have a favourite toy as a child? If so, what was it?
Gotta be straight up on this one: Atari 2600. Yes, that makes me old. I don't give a shit. It was cool.
What subject in school would you consider your favourite?
Women's Studies. Aw yeah. Can I get a hey what what DJ Dynasty?
If you had taken any other path besides music, what would it have been?
I would have written romance novels. And I know what you're thinking. But you're wrong. They wouldn't be trashy. High class... you know... summer beach reading stuff. If you were on a nude beach... at a swinger's convention...
A bit off the wall but...if you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
A mosquito. I believe this answer requires no further explanation, as the reasons for choosing to be a mosquito are so numerous and widely appealing to all.
Ok, back to the music.....
Yes, let's get back there.
Out of all the musicians who have inspired you, living or dead, name three you would love to collaborate with?
Hasselhoff, Technotronic, Jewel. 'Nuf said.
If a young musician were to ask you for pointers, what would be the top five you would give?
5. Do not use the unaltered presets in your synthesizers - ESPECIALLY for drums.
4. You're not David Gahan. You should not attempt to sing like him. Ever.
3. Kool-Aid = hit songs. No joke. Mega hit song formula: Grape Kool-Aid plus Lemon Kool-Aid = Purplesaurus Rex.
2. Your success as an artist can not be quantified in myspace page hits.
1. Always... never... forget to check your references.
Aside from your style of music, what else do you listen to and what truly moves you?
All kidding aside, I really like certain singer-songwriter music. I know that's weird for an electronic musician, but I like to think that I'm first and foremost a songwriter. I like a really moving song written solely on acoustic guitar. There's something pure about that. Plus, lyrics really stand out in that genre, and I love good lyrics.
After a live show, what do you do to unwind?
Pretty much just Hookers and blow. Don't be me wrong. By Hookers, I mean that board game Hookers... where you try and collect the most magnetic coat hooks and put them on the coat rack first? Yeah. And of course, by blow, I mean sweet sweet Columbian nose candy.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions for us!
Thank YOU for asking them! Oh, and if anyone out there can name the source of the two "quotes" I made use of in my answers, um... you'll get mad props from me.
You can find out more about Mark Nicholas and his music on his website and on his VF profile
posted by
ScarlettVamp
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Benny_Hell
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Mark, you are insane. Chuck mothfuckin Norris.
I used to have ColecoVision. Does that make me old too?
~Benny Hell
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Talek
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haha "sweet sweet Columbian nose candy"
good interview
Cheers!
 .com Administrator
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Myzaree
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I love it 
|| The Overwhelming Myzaree ||
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N0VATICA
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Ha, crazy.
♥ it.
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zlesna
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nicce! Love the info!
JAM out.
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Blueh
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That's great. As is the music.
Vince Noir,
baby♥
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Zinc
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Awesome 
- Dan 
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erratyk
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80's pop group Murray Head did a song called "One night in bangkok" which is where one of your quotes came from, i'm actually surprised i knew that.....the other quote i cant even find in the interview. unless it's the polygamy referance....and the whole "not acceptable in modern society" thing...which sounds a lot like willy wonka....but i digress...great music, amazing interview
"If Youtube Myspace, I'll Google your Yahoo"
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marknicholas
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Thanks everyone! Very glad you enjoyed the interview.
The quotes:
"Can I get a hey what what DJ Dynasty?" - this one is from a Saturday Night Live sketch called Deep House Dish. The character of T-Shane uses this phrase when he wants to reinforce that he thinks he's said something cool to his friend DJ Dynasty. But of course, whatever he just said is usually totally lame, hence, that bit makes me laugh.
"Always... never... forget to check your references." -this is an obscure quote from one of my all-time favorite 80's movies "Real Genius". It's the useless advice a really old professor gives, slowly and painfully, to the new child prodigy 15-year old college student Mitch.
I know... both kinda lame quotes, but what can I say? I like a lot of crap! :-)
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Pellejones
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haha this was a good interview  a lot of fun!
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Veira
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I love that picture 
Love is a gift of one's innermost soul to another so both can be whole.
~ Tea Rose
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