Mark Weiss

Why I write...

I started writing at an early age as a way to express myself and to work through issues that affected me personally or made an impact on me. I truly think it's the one outlook that has helped me the most when it comes to finding a peaceful balance in my life.

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

Languages

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music makes me happy. Music can take an average moment and transform it into a special moment. Music gives me a creative outlet for my inner thoughts and demons. It's helped me through the best and worst times in my life.

What is your music dream?

As a singer songwriter my dream is to have my music find a wider audience and to one day be able to generate enough revenue to pursue it full time.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Compassion. I think we're all so fixated on our own lives and our own perspectives oftentimes that we've lost the ability to be compassionate of others.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Neil Young, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, The Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, John Meyer, Ed Sheeran, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Grace Potter...

What inspires you to make music?

I'm not sure. It often times comes from a single word or phrase out of nowhere or a new lick I find while practicing. I've read books and been inspired, I've had personal experiences or heard or others that have inspired me too.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

I would like my music to make people feel. Feel good, happy, sad, hopeful, angry, mad, inspired.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I am always a bit nervous leading up to it and just before I begin to play. But once i get going and if I am playing well and the sound is right... I get lost in the music... there aren't many things I do that come close to that feeling.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

There's always room for improvement but truth is there are more ways for musicians to get there music heard then ever before. That's a good and bad thing, I guess.

What do you think of Drooble?

This is my first experience, right now. Ask me in a couple of months.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

My fear and insecurities.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I do, but not often enough. I am a member of the Broward Folk Club now and play and support the players affiliated with it. I go to local music venues as well but this working thing gets in the way most times.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Do what I am trying to do. Begin to reach out through the internet to sites that support and promote what we're trying to accomplish. Suppress the anxieties, fear and insecurities that often times hinder our willingness to throw ourselves out there. Be bold, have drive, be positive about yourself and your music and play out as often as you can.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Danny Brooks, Cory M. Wells, Larkin Poe!