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Taken with instagram

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Taken with instagram

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Finally in Dallas. (Taken with instagram)

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What u talkin bout Willis? (Taken with instagram)

Interview pt. 1 on the new record (Side A)

Here is part 1 of an interview w/ Tori Chesney about the new record and process.

1.     Side A  seems more personal than your other work.  What made you decide to go in this direction?

 

I’ve been through a lot in life over the past few years:  good, bad, and ugly.  I know that writing for this record was very therapeutic in lots of ways.  I know it’s always a spiritual process to write and record music, but this was a healing record for me, and was probably the most vulnerable I’ve ever felt on many levels.  In all the records I’ve gotten to be a part of, it was kind of freaky to put my name on the project, but we couldn’t think of a cool band name, so we just used mine.  It’s weird enough.

 

2.     Does  Side A  have a theme/concept?

 

It’s really the beginning of a journey, with  Side B  to follow. It’s about love lost, love found, and life beyond the one we see every day. We all feel the rain and sun no matter who we are and what country we live in, or even believe in. Maybe we should have called it  The Odyssey?  But Homer already wrote that, and this is much too short in comparison.

3.     What was it like to work with producer Neil Robins and Rachel Marie?

Well, Rachel is pretty amazing in every way – that’s why I married her!  She’s strong where I get stuck, and a fantastic writer at every level. There were lots of times where I would just have a general idea of what I wanted to say, and then she would know how to help me make more sense. Her melodic instinct is really amazing as well.

 

Neil is an amazing musician in so many ways. He kind of just blows you away with his ideas. I don’t think we even had one moment of tension or difficulty making this record. Neil just has this positivity which was so great to have around a record that took some darker turns. Neil is a good friend and great producer.

 

4.     What tracks on  Side A  do you think stand out the most?

 

That’s like asking a parent which kid is their favorite, so I’ll explain what I like about each one. I think “Never Easy” is the most accessible, but still has lots of elements that are definitely not very pop. “Frail” is somewhere between an Edgar Allen Poe poem and Shakespearian tragedy. “A Place To Rest” is kind of a folk hymn that’s a very real and honest moment of doubt and uncertainty. “Open” is sort of this neo-1970s Americana/soul song that I really love – maybe the most, as it was one of the first I wrote for this record.

5.     What made you decide to release two EPs as opposed to a full-length album?

 

There are lots of songs that I want to release over the next several years, and I’m always in the process of writing more. Having several EP releases seemed like more fun, and a way to keep getting music out there without waiting a long time between releases. I hope to release a record or two each year.  I’m also working on some instrumental songs.

6.     How is  Side A  different than your previous music?

 

For  Side A  I wasn’t writing with a band, and I really just made a record that I would want to listen to. There’s quite a bit more diversity as far as styles are concerned in the songs we have written, and these go together to tell a chapter of the story.  Side A  and  Side B  are both a bit darker and brighter than before. I think musically the record is more dynamic as far as arrangements go, ranging from a simple piano or guitar and a voice, to a full orchestra and band. Vocally I wrote in some different places, just to be different than what felt most comfortable. I think there’s a bit more range melodically and vocally. This record, tempo-wise, is on the moderate to slow end of things, so it’s not going to be your club dance mix dream. I kind of didn’t care and did what the songs called for without worrying too much about having a certain number of songs in this or that tempo. That was really freeing, as was the entire process.

 

7.     What is it like working on a project as a solo artist versus working on an album with a band?

 

The main difference is from the writing standpoint. When we write as a band with Soular, everything is truly collaborative at every level. This project was scarier and took a bit more “pretend.”  We were able to think outside the confines of a band and just write and arrange the music however it felt right. I didn’t think too much about stylistic parameters and felt pretty free to try some new and different things for myself. Vocally, the songs are a lot more bare as well.

 

8.     Lots of the songs on  Side A  are “cinematic” and build slowly, as opposed to pop songs which are very formula-based. Which style do you prefer as a writer?

 

I’ve never been one for formulas in music, but at the same time I don’t think there should be a disconnect from an audience. Music is written not just for the enjoyment of those creating it, but also for an audience, however large or small. In other words, music is to be enjoyed by people. I personally have always loved songs that build and have highs and lows. A song for me is a scene, or group of scenes, in life.  One of my favorite eras in the history of music is the Romantic period – full of slow builds, lush harmonies, minor keys, and dramatic crescendos.

A Bit Strange Lyrics..

here are some more lyrics for the new record but from “Side B”

 

“A Bit Strange”

by marsh & rachel marie, 2010

Come inside this crooked room

traces of a life you’ve ever noticed

colours shifting in the mirrors

broken glass that cracks beneath your footsteps

it seems awful strange to me

everything is strange to me

it seems awful strange to me

and nothing here makes sense

portraits hanging upside down

faces staring somewhere in between us

statues glaring, standing still

bitter they will never know the sunlight

it seems awful strange to me

everything is strange to me

it seems awful strange to me

i don’t know where we’re going

we’ll set this on fire

and we’ll burn down this scene

and leave no reminder

for anyone to find

  

 

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“Side A” to be released Nov. 2010…”Side B” to follow

Lots happening this Fall (“Side A” coming in Nov.)

Our first record, “Side A” will be released this Nov and I am more than excited about sharing this music. There is a brief tour and several other shows planned as we gear up for the first of 2 releases over the next 6 months, both “Side A” & “Side B”. It has been a really great process putting this new project together and finishing the writing and recording of this new material. In the next month or so, we will sneak you all the first listen of the new material along with lots of other fun stuff. Tell your friends and any Soular fans out there about this and I’ll keep making random tweets and letting you know about Marsh World. Thanks to all of you for your support and friendship in making these new records a reality!! You are loved.

playing rhodes in the studio… i ran through a doc electro cabinet, vintage fender bassman & dynacomp pedal

Frail

here are the lyrics to one of the songs we just recorded…this one was co-written lyrically by Kate Robbins & Rachel

Frail

Words, carefully spoken here
I hold my breath, fearful you’ll disappear
What would change your mind
What could satisfy
I’ll be left behind
I see it in your eyes

Hands, not knowing where to touch
I close my eyes, seeing you hurts too much
Who could change my mind
Who could satisfy
Will you leave me blind
By your diamond eyes

Love, frail as the winter dawn
I cling to this dying one

I save every kiss for you

I can’t let you go…. Love

 

Pulse, deafening in my ears
Your dark hair falls filling my eyes with tears

What would change your mind

What could testify
Will you leave it all behind
For a passer-by

She flies… (And it’s beautiful to see) though she flies away from me
( for the loss I mourn I know she won’t return)
And everything I ever had to give I gave to her