Analog Missionary: One Speaks
Recently, I asked Mark of Analog Missionary some questions. Check the results out below.
Would you describe the band as alternative?
If the implications are “independent/outside the mainstream,” I guess that would apply. Commercial appeal isn’t a concern with us really and we do like to experiment. These are some of the things originally associated with the term “alternative,” but it’s not something we consciously try to adhere to.
The songs tend to come out the way they want to, and we try not to force them into any particular style or genre.
How would you describe the band?
Sound-wise, “atmospheric/cinematic art-rock” is what we feel comes closest to describing what we do.
Which artists do different members of Analog Missionary like?
Rush, Yes, King Crimson, Cocteau Twins, Peter Gabriel, Daniel Lanois, Muse
What genres of music does each member like?
Progressive Rock, Ambient Rock, Shoegaze, Polka.
What age group does your band appeal to the most?
Our demographic falls between 21-53, or so.
Did the band ever have another name?
Nope, just this one. (Thanks for not asking what the name means, by the way. That one’s outlived its welcome…)
What plans does the group have for the future? Anything unsual?
Keep recording our own albums and performing across the country. Perhaps starting our own label. We would also enjoy doing more scoring/film soundtrack work.
Do any of the members create art in other media or mediums?
Anstrom teaches and performs Bellydance, and paints. Tony is delving deeper into photography, lately.
Do any of the members of the band ever listen to music they don’t like in order to find something useful, that can be used differently?
I don’t believe this is a technique any of us have ever utilized.
Do you play any covers? If so, which ones and why?
We perform a few homages to artists that we respect, but often twist them in a bit of a different direction. Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, Rush, Yes, Bjork, Tori Amos, and P J Harvey are all artists that we enjoy.
And are sometimes overlooked by the general listening public (well, maybe not in the case of Zep, but the others…). We also enjoy the challenge of performing a wide variety of material.
Anything else you want to add?
Maybe just that we always enjoy meeting new folks, that’s half the fun of traveling and performing.
Well, dear reader, some of the answers suggest other questions, which we’ll delve into in the future.
So, stay too cool for school, as my friend Mike says. Hey, you remember Mike don’t you? My friend that I chatted with about the Merseybeat and the Merseybeat posts were born. We really need to birth another one of those soon. Until then…