INTERVIEW:
Mark Regula Interview
Published in: Space Junkies Magazine's 3-year Anniversary
issue [Canada]
Interview By: Wednesday Elektra
Wednesday Elektra: Please introduce yourself
to the readers of Space Junkies Magazine and tell us how you first got
started?
Mark Regula: Hello Wednesday, and SJM readers! I am Mark Regula, the vocalist
and co-writer for Ivory Tower Project (ITP). I have been playing gigs
and doing recording sessions in the NY Metro (USA) area for about 15 years.
And I started in my teenage years writing with my friend and co-writer:
Johnny Jace. Johnny had unfortunately passed away in December 2003, and
one of our goals is that we want to keep the songs he helped to create
alive.
Who's currently in the band and what instruments
do they play?
Our current line up is yours truly: Mark Regula -I play keyboards, acoustic
guitar and do most of the vocals. Tony Novarro, who plays all of the electric
guitars, engineers the recording sessions, and assists me on producing
and arranging. Tony owns his own 24 track digital recording studio in
his home where we are recording our current tracks. We also have Fernando
Menendez who plays drums and percussion. The three of us have played live,
and on a few recording projects for other NYC artists. The rest of the
players are notable studio musicians in the NY Metro area: We had Ivan
Elias play bass for us on a few tracks. Ivan used to play for Patty Smyth
and Scandal. We even had Richie Cannata sit in on a session and play tenor
sax on a couple of songs. Richie used to play for Billy Joel. ITP is not
so much a band, as we are a group of recording artists. We will be recruiting
band members for the purpose of live performances upon completion of the
next release, when we take the act out on the road to promote it.
How would you describe your music (what's it
sound like)?
We define our music as New Classic Contemporary Rock. The songs are new,
but have a 'retro' classic rock feel. For those living in Europe, our
fans and the press have defined ITP as: Melodic Rock/AOR. Our music has
been influenced by many of the classic rock artists of the 60s-80s. Those
who have heard and reviewed ITP's current EP: "Red Hot," have
said that we remind them of classic rock acts like: Queen, Foreigner,
Supertramp, Power Station, Asia, INXS, Rush, Santana and REO Speedwagon.
I do most of the arranging, and I like to include a hint of British/American
progressive rock influence such as Kansas, Genesis, Styx, Yes, Toto and
also a touch of dramatic rock flair in the production similar to Alice
Cooper, Meatloaf, Ozzie and Queen.
As a musician, what do you think of the status
of your local music scene? Is it dead or alive and where are you located?
We are located in the greater NY Metro area. Tony lives in Queens, Fernando
lives in Brooklyn, and I am from the suburbs on Long Island. The Long
Island original music scene is not as good as it could be, however we
get most of our bookings in New York City (NYC), where the original music
scene is very much alive and well. What are some of your favorite local
artists, bands and venues? A few of the local artists we like are: The
Human Karaoke Machine, Iridescence, Trina Taylor, Sharon Wolfe, and Ema
Zale. A few of the venues we like in NYC are: the Orange Bear, A&M
Roadhouse, and the Knitting Factory - and in Long Island: Sgt. Pepper's,
and Downtown.
What do you think of digital downloading and
file sharing as an independent musician? How does it help or hinder you?
The technology of digital downloading is a great tool for promotion in
cyberspace. For the Indie artist, there is a potential to reach possibly
hundreds of thousands of people through On-line Music Distributors. These
people would have not have even known you existed through the other conventional
forms of promotional media, not without you possessing a very large budget!
The down side of the application of this technology is the fact that Indie
artists are rarely paid for the downloading and the sharing of their music.
The established major labels and their highly paid artist/writers can
afford this free downloading and sharing of music. But unfortunately,
the virtually unknown Independent artist/writers continue to be underpaid,
or not paid at all. So ultimately, an Indie artist has to choose the lesser
of 2 evils…being broke, or being unknown and unheard.
What aspect of the music industry do you find
the most challenging and why?
As an independent artist, what I have found most challenging is that there
are a lot of 'hoops' and political 'games' in this industry in order to
obtain a promotional objective. It's not only what you know, but also
more importantly, who you know. Sometimes you are unaware that there is
a protocol to follow when it comes to getting bookings and promotion.
Many times you end up having to do things more than once, and still not
get the desired impact. There are a lot of books and seminars out there
with information on the music industry in general, but there is not much
specific hands-on information published on how to effectively promote
oneself. For example if you want to do a college radio campaign, there
is virtually no information available about the sequential process, and
the "do's and don'ts" involved in getting your music played
and charted.
How did you initially come across AFBPromotions
and why did you decide to join the 2005 Roster?
My co-writer, Johnny Jace initially contacted Aid For Bands a few years
ago, and I will never forget Wednesday, the one line review you wrote
for our single: "My Name." You wrote, and I quote: "I love
this song! I am kicking myself for not listening to it the first time
the band emailed me." - Chuckle - I was both amused and very flattered!
We joined the 2005 roster because the people who work for AFB are like
you, passionate about the underground music scene, and are supportive
of ITP.
Have you been apart of AFBPromotions (or Aid
For Bands) in the past? If so what were your experiences like? If not,
what have your experiences been like so far?
Yes and no. We were not part of the previous year's rosters, but
we had enlisted some of AFB's promotional services since about 2003.This
year is the first year we had the opportunity to join the roster. Our
experience during that time has been very satisfying. The staff at AFB
Promotions is, once again, passionate about new music, efficient, friendly
and easy to work with.
What do you hope to gain from being apart of
the 2005 Roster? We hope to further build our fan base, gain further visibility
in the underground Indie music scene, and increase sales of product by
being a member of the AFB Roster. How does AFB help you?
ITP has been working with AFB Promotions for over 2 years in having them
design and maintain our official web site. They have also periodically
published press reviews of our songs in Space Junkies Magazine. Since
our joining the 2005 roster, their street team has distributed some of
our promotional materials. What are your thoughts on AFB? AFB's charter
to provide services as an international street team and perform on-line
"Decoy Marketing," is a vital objective for Indie Artists who
wish to get promoted. Decoy Marketing is the hottest new trend that is
secretly being used by major record labels. AFB's on-line street team
pose as your fans, and go into internet chat-rooms and message boards
and tell others about you, your new CD, and your website. The major label's
hard-sell advertising turns off many underground music fans. Because of
this, the decoy marketing soft-sell personal testimony approach that AFB
uses, is a proven way to build an artist's fan base.
What are you currently working on and what do
you have planned for the remainder of the 2005-year?
We recently have condensed a portion of our web site, and had it translated
into Spanish. To view it, please visit the ITP URL listed below. Our small
Indie Label: Guerrilla Records will be releasing our EP: "Red Hot"
in Nicaragua sometime in May and will be promoting later in the year in
Mexico and South American countries. The group is working hard in the
studio recording and mixing our next release - a full length CD.
How can the readers get in touch with you for
more information and what is your official website URL?
Please visit our website at: www.IvoryTowerProject.net you can email the
band at: info@ivorytowerproject.net and email Guerrilla Records at: guerrillaco@hotmail.com
Do you have any other information to share?
Yes! Please visit ITP's web site and add our site to your list of favorites!
Take a listen to the 1-minute audio clips of "Red Hot" on the
Downloads page of the ITP web site. We invite you to join the Mailing
List, read about the band and individual bios on the Biography page, post
a message on the Message Board, and to please don't forget to sign the
Guest Book and tell us your favorite ITP song! See the Compilation CDs
ITP tracks have been included on in 3 different countries on the Discography
page! Check out the News page and come back to visit often, as we update
it regularly! See what Internet Radio Stations are playing ITP tracks,
tune in to a station, and request an ITP song! Read reviews and quotes
of what others have wrote/said about ITP on the Press page! For a limited
time: we will mail a free CD copy of our Radio Interview on WGBB 1240
AM to the next 100 people who join our Email List. Please email us at
info@ivorytowerproject.net after you have registered to be on our Yahoo
Groups Email List. In your email, please notify us of your request to
obtain the free CD copy of the WGBB Radio Interview, and be sure to provide
your full name, postal address, and the email address that you have registered
under. Offer is available to new email list registrants after confirmation
of registration only. Only 1 CD copy per postal address please. Allow
4 weeks for delivery after confirmation and request. Offer expires: 08/15/05.
Lastly, if you like ITP's music, please tell your family/friends and purchase
a copy of "Red Hot" (see Purchase page on ITP web site) either
by phone, or on-line from: CDBaby.com, BackstageCommerece.com, or TowerRecords.com.
If you live in Australia you can purchase a copy of "Red Hot"
locally from Cumbersome Records. You can also purchase individual song
downloads (please see the Downloads page of the ITP web site) of ITP tracks
on MP3Tunes.com. Thank you for your time, SJM readers, and thank you for
interviewing me Wednesday!
