Marc With a C is a lo-fi pop songster from Orlando, Florida. He played his first show in 1999 when a member of a then popular local group didn’t show up for a gig, and the set went down wonderfully. Since then, Marc has released seven official albums utilizing any available equipment. This has led to some occasionally unorthodox sounding recordings, but most fall into the framework of classic pop songwriting. Marc With a C is a total record collecting geek and it shows. While you can’t see him doing his guitar windmills during his bedroom recording sessions, you can certainly hear the enthusiasm and lyrcial excitement.
This collection of material has been pout together to celebrate the last decade of Marc With a C material, and is culled from most of his major releases with an occassional dip into the deeper catalog. While Marc has recently taken to offering all of his albums for free download at marcwithac.com, this two-disc, fifty-four song collection will be available to purchase at his website, as well as his occasional shows. This compilation is designed to be a one stop shopping excursion, offering up all of the audience favorites in one place as well as serving as a beginners guide to Marc’s extensive discography. Take just one listen to "RetroLowFi: 10 Years Of Marc With a C" and it’ll be easy to see why Marc has built his substantial cult following within the lo-fi and nerd music scenes.
retrolowfi@gmail.com
Those questions again:
Where is your band located?
I live in Orlando, FL. You’d be surprised, but there is a small little contingent of really good original bands here. It’s not all just bar bands and kiddie pop anymore! It’s usually just me doing the shows/recordings, (Marc), but sometimes either Chris Zabriskie or Ryan Price will join me onstage to pound on things.
Give us a brief background of who your band is and how it started.
I used to be a roadie for a band called Precious and one night back in 1999, the leader of said group looked like he wasn’t going to show up. The promoters were scrambling, looking for anyone at all to play for the restless crowd. I offered to sing the silly songs I made up in my bedroom that I’d never planned on anyone hearing. The show was explosively well-received, and the very next day people called trying to book me. I’ve rarely slowed down since.
How would you personally describe your sound?
I like to think that it’s guitar-based sarcastic indiepop, but your mileage may vary.
What/who are some of your influences?
Now this is an answer that I could spend a whole day on. My favorite group in the world is the Who, and I’ve aped enough of Pete Townshend’s moves onstage – as well as his writing techniques – for that to be pretty obvious. I was also very moved by Jonathan Richman, The Monkees, Guided By Voices/anything Robert Pollard related, early Pink Floyd, Juliana Hatfield, Hank Williams Sr., and especially my friend Chris Zabriskie; without his friendship and influence, there might not be a Marc With a C.
Are you touring? If so, where/when?
I rarely tour, because I lose my mind – literally – when I’m away from family and friends. I can count the number of tour dates that I’ve done outside of my own state on Mickey Mouse’s fingers. I am highly considering try to do a few celebratory road shows for the tenth anniversary, though. We’ll see if my psyche can handle it this time.
Do you have any upcoming projects Waffles users should know about?
Beyond the RetroLowFi compilation, I’m always slow working on my next album, which will be my eighth full length. I’ve seriously upgraded my equipment since the recordings that appear on the two-disc compilation, so I’m taking my time learning how to use it. I can guarantee that I won’t put out the next one until it’s utterly mindblowing. After this many records, there’s no excuse for releasing something subpar, you know?
Is there anywhere we can purchase your work?
All of my first seven albums are always availabe for free download at marcwithac.com. Physical copies are pretty much completely sold out, and the only Compact Disc that is now available is the RetroLowFi compilation. But I think that’s a pretty good deal, getting fifty-four of the audience favorites in one place for ten bucks? It’s practically all you’d need of mine. Right now, anyways! It’s available to buy on my website as well.
What are your views on Waffles and/or audio piracy in general?
Let me make this clear: if piracy of your music isn’t somehow translating into better sales or concert attendance, you are doing it wrong. The idea is to get as many people as possible to hear your music, or at least it oughta be in a perfect world. Communities like Waffles are wonderful for that. You can grab an album at random, go to a forum and tell everyone what you liked/disliked about it,and other listeners can stop by the conversation and compare notes. I think it’s a songwriters dream, and I simply don’t understand those who oppose.
Give us three albums you believe everyone should download.
This is a toughie. But here goes:
The Modern Lovers – S/T (MY favorite rock and roll album of all time. So much honesty, swagger and earnesty in one package!)The Monkees – Headquarters (The most highly misunderstood rock band ever. This is the third album when they started playing their own instruments and became their own band):
Guided By Voices – Human Amusements at Hourly Rates: The Best of Guided By Voices (Everything that Robert Pollard touches turns to gold. Wuth so many releases, this is as good a place as any to start):
Anything else you’d like to add that we missed?
Just that I’d like to thank Waffles for helping me expose my craft to brand new and receptive ears. I’ve been at this for ten years now, and I’m not even close to getting worn out. Waffles has given a lot of inspiration to me in various ways, and I’m hoping that this small offering will suffice in giving back the best way that I know how. Thank you for listening.