Featured Artist: Marc B

One way to break down the genre barrier in music is to simply explore how a particular song or band makes you feel when listening to it. When you play a Marc B song, you feel good. This is most likely the reason Marc and his band (bassist and vocalist, Yoni Berk and percussionist, Maxx Ferris) have developed such a core following.

It is the kind of music that you can move to – at the very least, in your mind – or simply close your eyes, put your head back and take it in.

What really shines through in his music is the lifestyle, the same lifestyle that reigns supreme here at Killer Dana. Marc has grown up with surfing and music being the core of everything else in life. The unique thing about this is that it’s obvious in his music; it’s real, straight forward and clean.

Marc, Yoni and Maxx do this because it is simply the life they live.

We caught up with Marc a few days after his band’s performance at the OC Music awards ceremony. He filled us in where it all comes from, surfing, traveling, making music and connecting with people on a real level.

-Drew

-Last time I saw you was on the North Shore with your new band mates, Yoni and Maxx. How is the three piece going and how is it different from your music career up to now?

I’m used to playing alone, now I play with two Jews. Major change. The first three years of my career was solo, but this trio is just so comfortable. It’s the right, rootsy vibe, and our live shows have been upgraded, since there’s now three of us who get to vibe off of each other. We’re always bringing up new instruments, guest musicians from each city, and trying new things on stage…our music always changes.

-Where are you right now? What are you going to do after you finish answering these questions?

Right now I’m in Santa Barbara at my bass player’s house on top of a hill sitting outside drinking a mate latte. I can see the ocean, and I can see a round, super tan woman power-walking in the street. After this I’m going for a quick surf, then it’s off to the label’s office for a meeting, then a meeting with the producer, and later to an impromptu concert downtown.

Feeling it. Photo: Jshipley

-Can you explain a bit about your band’s role in the OC Music awards and how that all works?

Sure, we were nominees for “Best Surf” again this year. We were also in the top 5 Best “Live Acoustic” bands which was awesome. We had an amazing time.

-Killer Dana is a company that truly lives the lifestyle they sell. Would you say the same about your lifestyle and the way it translates into your music?

Sure. I just grew up surfing and making music. Those were the only two things I’ve ever done, and they still are the only two things I’ve ever done. Most of our musical inspirations comes from the ocean, traveling, and personal highs and lows, which are pretty well documented throughout my music.

-How has traveling/surfing effected your attitude towards making music and where you ultimately want it to take you?

Travelling and surfing new breaks is my preferred method of clarity. It’s like Drain-O for the mind. It expands my outlook in ways far greater than anything else I’ve ever experienced. It translates directly into the music. My music and my life and my travels are one in the same.

-I know you, Max and Yoni like to jam. Is that how you come up with a lot of your songs or do you spend a lot of time writing stuff as well?

Originally I was writing most of the material on my own. Now with the trio, we’re able to combine forces, which ultimately leads to better music. Each of us has something special, something different, that adds to the sound. During rehearsals we spend a lot of time focusing and working on certain parts, but then we just let loooooose and jam on some groovy thing for an hour. Many of our songs come from that.

-You guys are heading into the studio soon? Can you tell us anything about your next album? Sounds, styles, songs, guest appearances?

We’re releasing our debut full length this summer. Expect a rootsy, very vibey, laid back, spread out, vanilla-milk-shake type sound. We’ve got a new and improved rhythm section, and a few real heavy beats dropping into the mix, on a few. All together, its just fun! Guest appearances I can’t tell about yet, but we’ve got some epic surprises in store…keep in touch.

Marc rips on all kinds of shapes and sizes.

-If there is ever a time when you aren’t in the water or playing music, what are you doing?

Moving. Seriously, I switch cities like every 6 months. Honestly I try to keep as busy as possible, since I get really restless and depressed when I’m not busy doing things. In my spare time I’m usually planning my next run of adventure/shows/travels. I thrive off of new and uncomfortable situations. I’m moving Friday.

-Killer Dana recently teamed up with Surfaid where we learned that you are a Surfaid ambassador. Tell us a little bit about your relationship with them.

They are great. What they’re doing is so crucial, it’s so human. I did a SurfAid event in San Francisco, and they asked if I’d like to become an ambassador. I’m honored to take on the added responsibility of carrying out the good word of their non-profit. We’ve also got some events planned this month, and some ideas for trips with some of the best surfers in the world.

-Do you try and convey a message in your music or do you rely on the audience to take what they will?

We do. We’re given the opportunity to have our voice be heard, and I’m conscious of that. Each song is written for a different reason, but we’ve found that people relate to the words, and bob their heads to the music. Can’t really ask for much more than that, right?

-What are a couple bands you have been listening to a lot lately?

I don’t listen to music.

-What kind of boards are you riding right now?

Lately I’ve been really into my 6’0” Channel Islands T. Knox…which is weird, cuz normally in California I surf one of my weird short fishes, but I think since we’ve had a really good winter, I’ve been going to my thruster a lot. But I forever love my 5’10” Dano fish and my 9’4” Dano single-fin log when its smaller. When I saw you last in Hawaii I was borrowing Leah Dawson’s 6’6” single fin…the thing was awesome.

North Shore livin. Photo: Cindy Santini

-What is your next travel destination? Where is one of your favorite places to be?

Next destination?  Straight up the west coast, and to Hawaii.  We’re also doing an inland tour! Salt Lake City, Aspen Colorado, etc. This month we’ve got shows in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

-If you could jam with any music figure in history who would it be and why?

I’d like to sing with James Taylor, I’d like to play uke with Iz, and it would’ve been pretty alright to be in Neil Young’s band somehow.  It would have also been cool to change it to Simon, Marc, and Garfunkel.

-What is on the agenda for Marc B and the boys for the rest of 2010?

We’re recording through the winter, shooting a music video all spring, and releasing our album and going on a huge tour through summer. Lately everything has been such a whirlwind, and amazing and beautiful whirlwind! Look out for us, visit our www.marcbmusic.com and find us on www.facebook.com/marcbmusic. If you talk to us we’ll send you some new music.  Oh, and by all means get out to our live shows! We’ve got some REALLY fun ones in store, and we always make sure to have way too much fun. We only work with friendly and talented bands, bookers, and venues. It’s all good vibes, so if you’ve got some, bring ‘em! Cheers mates.