Mark Evich is a singer and sound producer with a long track of success both in homeland and in the U.S., where he moved in 2016. He started back in 2010, pretty quickly became a prominent soul artist back in Russia, but always wanted to work with the best artists and professionals, so one way ticket to New York was a no-brainer.
Hi Mark Evich, how are you today?
Doing fine, just watching the release go live in real time! After all the efforts to create and promote it, today we can just sit back and watch it happen 🙂
For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound and who have been your biggest influences so far?
I’m definitely a soul and R&B singer, who really cares about live instruments and interesting chord progressions rather than humming three notes over repetitive bedroom vibey beat. Don’t expect powerhouse vocals, but a memorable vocal tone, groove, and lyrics are guaranteed – or you get your money back. And you need to hear me live – I will be your favorite artist after this. We’re really good live.
As of today, my main influences are D’Angelo, Sting, Anderson .Paak, Young Thug, and BJ Chicago Kid. There’s more, but this pretty much shows where I belong.
And aside from music, what other inspirations have worked their way into your music over the years?
The story of me restarting my music journey on an artist visa back in 2016 changed me A LOT. See, if you take today’s version of me and sit me down with Mark from 2015, I don’t even think we’ll find a lot in common. That man was impatient and finicky. His music was good but sounded like he’s trying too hard. Today, after spending all these years in the U.S., working with all the talented people I’ve met, and being welcomed into spaces I’ve been dreaming of being allowed into, I’m finding very, very solid ground. And it pretty damn sure shows in the music I’m making – rather than trying to please or achieve, I’m more so am telling my stories and writing Songs – and the instrumentals I produce truly represent my aspirations as well.
You have just released your new single ‘Back Home With U’. Can you tell us how that track came about? Is there a story behind it?
When you produce music for a living, it helps to step back and NOT produce for your own self. This is exactly what happened when Aynoick reached out to me and asked if I wanted to jump on a track he produced. I’m ashamed to admit it, but unlike usually, I kind of slept on it and let it sit in my e-mail for a few months. Yeah, I know. Well, let’s say it all happened for a reason and all. When I did sit down to write on it, it only took me a few hours to wrap the whole thing up, because this music is so good… I immediately imagined this story where I pull up to the club – which I don’t even do on a regular – and see this girl, which makes me wanna dance – which again I really don’t do on a regular… and we drive off in my VW Golf. Then Yonick added his magic touch with extra production, my guy Alex Hook nailed it on mix & master… you know the rest 🙂
Can we expect a new EP, or even an album from you in the near future?
Yup. The plan is to release two more singles to keep it rolling and build up the fanbase through streaming and live shows, as it’s been working out pretty well so far. Then we’re talking EP by the end of the year. I’ve released a lot of music over the last 4 years, all of it I really love, but then I took some time off in 2020, so now I need to reappear in front of the world with this succession of singles first.
The coronavirus outbreak has obviously affected everyone’s plans, but what have you got in store for the rest of the year?
On top of these singles and an EP, there’s a lot of collaborative tracks I got recorded with my friends, plus finally there’s a show in LA at the Mint Club on August 31st – feels good to be back at it again. My music doesn’t really come alive until performed with musicians on stage. This is where I thrive.
And finally, what is the one thing you hope to achieve as an artist?
It’s clear to me that my potential isn’t even close to being implemented – I’m at maybe 10% right now. So doing the most with my potential is the goal. And when this happens, it’s inevitable I will be up there with the greats. Takes time and effort, but then the process is enjoyable as well. 🙂
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