Studio Update - Guitars, guitars, guitars!!!

Wow, these guys are really good!

Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the privilege of working with two of the best guitar players in Atlanta. Steve Florczykowski on bass guitar and Michael Westbrook on electric guitar.

They are both working musicians in town and odds are that you've seen them out playing if you are a fan of live music.

Steve plays with a couple of different bands, but I became a fan when I first saw him playing with Last Five Standing. He has played a few times with me too.

Steve Florczykowski

I first saw Michael when he was playing with Sam Thacker. These days, he's touring with Nic Cowan.

Michael Westbrook

As always, we were in the capable hands of Eric Tunison from Groove Tunes Studios.

Eric Tunison in the control room.

Anyway, like I said, these guys are good. We are making great progress. The new songs sound amazing. The tunes are alot more alternative-rock sounding than my first CD. It's exactly the sound I've been looking for.

Enjoy these pics. They tell the story better than I could anyway... Marc

Yes, I have fully embraced my role as producer. I even brought notes :-)

Steve laying it down

Working on guitar parts with Michael

Michael's pedal board... and, yeah, every one of those knobs and buttons does something. In his hands, it's magic.

Some kind of disagreement... probably over my "production ideas" :-)

Studio Update - Week 3 (drum tracks)

Our goal was to get drum tracks completed for three band songs. Two of the songs were fairly straight-forward, but one of the newer tracks has a pretty ambitious drum part.

My plan all along had been to play drums myself (like on the last CD), but after a couple of weeks of practice (and lots of stress), I decided it was best to just hire a pro. I know a number of players around town, but, as fate would have it, I ran into an old friend after a gig a few weeks ago...

Mike Hinton is an accomplished live and session drummer in the Atlanta music scene. I met him about 10 years ago when he was teaching lessons over at Atlanta Pro Percussion. I learned quite a bit from him and have enormous respect for his talent. Over the years, we lost track of each other, so it was great to run into him just when I needed the right person for this project!

Anyway, we met over at Groove Tunes Studios in Alpharetta and got to work. I was excited because I was able to focus all my energy into producing, while Mike used his talents to just kill the drum parts. Here's a quick video of Mike and I working together...





At the end of the session, we had drum parts for all three songs.

This stuff sounds really good.

I can't wait for you to hear it.
Marc

Studio Update - Weeks 1 and 2

During week 1, we worked on guide tracks for the band songs and recorded final versions of a couple songs that will be just me and the piano.

Week 2 was focused on getting piano and keyboard tracks down. We made some good progress, but there's plenty to do in future sessions.

Next week, we record drums with Mike Hinton. I can't wait!

Some pics so far...


Eric at work in the control room.

Singing into this Neumann mic is just heavenly.

Stay tuned!

Back In The Studio!

I am very pleased to say that I am back in the studio working on some new material to be released in early 2011. This is an ambitious project... not in terms of the number of songs, but rather in terms of quality and getting the right sound for my music.

I will once again be recording with Eric Tunison at Groove Tunes Studios in Alpharetta. Eric has a state-of-the-art environment and the skills to help me get the best possible sound for these songs. I also hear he plays a wicked cowbell :-)

Add to that some of the best musicians in Atlanta, and I think I have the right mix for a very successful project. Exciting stuff!

Stay tuned... I will be posting updates of my progress on this blog and on Facebook.

Best,
Marc

No Eddie's Attic on Mon 10/11

Hey, it looks like Eddie's canceled their open mic on Monday Oct 11th in favor of having Shawn Mullins. Can't say I blame them!

So, I won't be playing that day after all... It's been rescheduled to Jan 3rd @ 8:00pm.

Cool...

Upcoming Shows

Hello everyone,

I am very excited to once again be playing at Smith's Olde Bar in Atlanta on Friday October 8th. Jamie from Next Best Friend will be opening the show and I will be rocking it with the band. The action starts at 8pm. I hope you can make it!

I will also be playing at Eddie's Attic in Decatur at 10pm on Monday October 11th. I would love to see you there.

Best,
Marc

Press Release re: Lawrence Awards / Gypsy IAIRA Charting

Woodstock, GA Singer/Songwriter Marc Lawson Shares his Talent During Benefit Trio Weekend
Lawson proves when you help others, it comes back to you


September 18 2010
For immediate release

Woodstock, GA - Singer/songwriter/keyboardist Marc Lawson proves that when you give to others, it always comes back to you. During the weekend of September 11th, Lawson performed at three benefit shows and actually won an award for his performance on Sunday, September 12th.

The first benefit performance was held on September 11th at O'Malley's Irish Pub in Woodstock with proceeds going toward the Gulf Oil Spill Relief ; the second benefit, also on September 11th, was Kicking It for Katie at the Hickory Flat Elementary School where $30,000 was raised for Katie Burson who has breast cancer. At the final benefit, the 34th Annual Lawrence Awards held at Naylor Hall in Roswell on September 12th, all net proceeds were donated to Unity North Atlanta's "Kidsmas" Holiday Party. Lawson's performance at the September 12th benefit was so well received, he won the award for Best Male Vocalist which included a trophy, certificate, and a free diinner at Altobeli's Italian Restaurant and Piano Bar. Kidsmas is a joyful evening including a program, meal and presents for children and women from area shelters near Christmas time.

Lawson's music continues to place on the International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA) radio chart. The IAIRA recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity as published in various reporting charts from around the world. Lawson's song "Gypsy in Disguise" qualified for position 42 on the IAIRA Top 50 chart September 16th.

Marc Lawson's footing in both songwriting and performing maintains a stronghold since his self-released debut recording "These Empty Streets" in September of 2009. Press and fans alike have been drawn to Marc's modern and emotive music, as he continues to perform live at clubs in the metro Atlanta area and events including the Cherokee County Music Society; 500 Songs For Kids; and the Children's Restoration Network Concert which broke the Guinness World Record for being the longest concert with multiple artists.

Lawson will perform solo and with his band around metro Atlanta at the following venues:

9/18/2010 2:00 PM East Cobb Market 2500 Sandy Plains Rd Marietta GA 30066
10/2/2010 6:00 PM Private Party Woodstock GA 30188 Solo show.
10/8/2010 9:00 PM Smith's Olde Bar 1578 Piedmont Rd NE Atlanta GA 30305
10/9/2010 9:00 PM Keegans Public House 1625 Ridenour Pkwy NW Kennesaw GA 30152
10/11/2010 7:00 PM Eddie's Attic 515 N McDonough St Decatur GA 30030
10/15/2010 9:00 PM Keegans Public House 1625 Ridenour Pkwy NW Kennesaw GA 30152
10/29/2010 9:00 PM Keegans Public House 1625 Ridenour Pkwy NW Kennesaw GA 30152
11/26/2010 8:00 PM The Sly Fox 902 Gervais St Columbia SC 29201

For more information about Marc Lawson, please visit http://www.marclawsonmusic.com.

For interviews and photos, please contact Serge Entertainment PR, SergeEnt@aol.com, phone 678-445-0006.
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Press Release re: Taste of Chamblee / Chart Positions

Woodstock, GA Singer/Songwriter Marc Lawson Makes Good in Chamblee
IAIRA-charting songs confirm Lawson's music is a popular commodity


Woodstock, GA - Singer/songwriter/keyboardist Marc Lawson has won a slot to perform on the Main Stage at the Taste of Chamblee after several rounds of competition. The contest for the coveted slots took place over four different nights. Each artist performed 3 songs before a panel of judges consisting of members of the Chamblee Alliance for Arts and Culture. "I am thrilled to be part of this event," enthuses Lawson. "It's a tremendous opportunity to reach such a large group of people with my music. We are going to rock it!" Lawson plans to perform with his 4 piece band.

The Third Annual Taste of Chamblee - a festival for the senses - will be held on August 21, 2010 from 11:30AM-8PM in Downtown Chamblee. It will bring together great food, live entertainment and some of the Southeast's most talented visual artists for a one day community celebration in the heart of Chamblee. Admission is free. http://www.thetasteofchamblee.com

Lawson performs around the metro Atlanta area and recently had two of his songs "Were Those Better Days" and "Brand New Day" chart on the International Association of Independent Recording Artists (IAIRA) radio chart. The IAIRA recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity as published in various reporting charts from around the world. "Brand New Day" qualified for Certification as an International Top 40 song.

Born in Winter Park, FL, and eventually settling in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, Marc took an early interest in drumming, and although he took a few lessons, he mastered the kit through hours of practice on his own. Atlanta is a mecca for "jammers" with numerous open mics and jams in bars throughout the metro area. Many a night would find Marc prowling the clubs toting his sticks with him, driving the backbeats for a plethora of diversely influenced musicians. As casual as this approach may have been, something started brewing in Marc's soul - a deeper passion for music and the drive to do something further with his development as a musician.

Another instrument Marc plays fluently is the piano. Around 2006, he decided to trade in his sticks for a portable electronic keyboard, setting up at jams, not just to play the keys, but singing as well. He realized the keyboards helped him express more passion for the music he performed. "Over time, the desire to express melody and harmony led me to the piano. It gives me the freedom to interpret the entire song, not just the rhythm.”

As he delved deeper into honing his keyboard and vocal talents, Marc hit several stumbling blocks along the way. But instead of dwelling on them, he followed a cathartic path of writing songs, often expressing how he felt about his life and other subjects close to his heart. "When everything in my life fell to pieces, I survived by turning to music. Listening to it, playing it, and, eventually, writing it."

Marc first tested his emotive songwriting when performing his original music at open mics. While channeling his feelings through influences as diverse as U2, the Foo Fighters, Mat Kearney, and Peter Gabriel, Marc's song library evolved in size. Once he gained his footing in both songwriting and performing, Marc self-released his debut recording "These Empty Streets" in September of 2009, introducing his songs to the public with a CD release party at venerable Atlanta music venue Smith's Olde Bar. The songs began creating a buzz immediately, as Target Audience Magazine proclaimed, "Watching him perform that night exposed new understanding of the power of his music and the passion with which he presents it live." Press and fans alike have been drawn to Marc's music, as he continues to perform live at clubs in the metro Atlanta area and events including the Cherokee County Music Society; 500 Songs For Kids; and the Children's Restoration Network Concert which broke the Guinness World Record for being the longest concert with multiple artists.

With the fuse now ignited, Marc took it a step further and has now formed a band to fill out the sound he wants to convey. With music that is vocal-oriented, melodic, modern pop/rock, Marc is poised to spread his music to the masses with his new bandmates. Marc's creative juices continue to flow; not always born from strife, but just as potently inspired while he creates at his keyboard. And regarding that attitude about "the best job is one that you would do for free anyway", Marc placed a very serious driving mechanism behind that philosophy: "I am a goal-oriented person. My motivation comes from setting achievable goals and reaching them. My goal in playing music is to connect with people."

For more information about Marc Lawson, please visit http://www.marclawsonmusic.com.

For interviews, please contact Serge Entertainment PR, SergeEnt@aol.com, phone 678-445-0006.


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Taste of Chamblee

Wow! Last night, I won a songwriter competition to play at the main stage at The Taste of Chamblee... In front of up to 12,000 people. Woot!

The event is on August 21st. I'll be playing sometime between 1pm and 3pm.

More details to come...

Next Band Show @ Smith's

Hey everyone,

I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am enjoying mine. It's been a whirlwind of great music, new friends and some very late nights - particularly during the 343 for Kids charity event!

Anyway, I wanted to write and let everyone know that I will be playing another show with the band at Smith's Olde Bar on Friday 8/6 at 8pm. We had a terrific turnout for the last show and I think that the earlier time slot will make it easier for even more folks to come out. A couple more shows like this and we'll be able to start playing upstairs!

Thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Hope to see you soon,
Marc

Video From Smith's Show

All,

I have uploaded videos from last week's performance at Smith's Olde Bar. It was a great show!!!

The videos are a bit too dark, but the audio sounds really good. Thanks for Jhion for recording for us.

Click here access my YouTube channel. I've also embedded a sample of one song below...

Enjoy!
Marc

Some U2 from open mic the other night...

Thanks to Paul Douglas for recording and posting these videos!

Full Band Show @ Smith's!!!

Hey folks,

Rehearsals with the band have been going very well. We are excited to be playing our first FULL BAND SHOW of 2010 at Smith's Olde Bar in The Atlanta Room on Friday 6/4 @ 11pm!!! Cover is $8.

We will be playing a bunch of new originals as well as some fun covers. I hope you can make it!

Best,
Marc

Another New Video

A little Train for anyone who likes them...

Upcoming Show @ Smith's Olde Bar

Friends,

I'll be playing another show at Smith's Olde Bar on Saturday, April 3rd @ 9pm. I am really excited about this show because it is on my birthday weekend (yes, I'm an April Fool). So, please come out and buy me a drink or at least heckle me a little bit!

Anyway, I will be accompanied by my good friend Jonathan on guitar and we will be playing some new originals. I am really looking forward to another great night at one of the best live music venues in our town.

In other news, I've posted where I'll be playing over the next few weeks... Be forewarned, these are open mic nights and not solo shows!!! But, people have been asking where I'll be playing, so there you have it. The good news is that these are all great venues and the nights are run by some great hosts... so it's a great break in the middle of your work week, if nothing else.

I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to see you soon,

Marc

New Video

Hey, check out this video of "Gypsy In Disguise" from open mic at Firkin and Crown the other night...



Much thanks to Paul Douglas for taking the time to record and post this video online.

Marc

Long time, no see...

Friends,

It's been a long time since I've sent out an update. I've had a really rough time the past couple of months and haven't been playing out much lately.

The good news is that I've got some good traction getting a band together. I have two really good players signed on already and I'm hoping to finalize the final member soon. We are hoping to be playing some killer rock shows starting this summer.

Anyway, I hope everyone is staying warm. Thanks for sticking around.

I'll be in touch soon,
Marc

is not dead... not yet...