Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Cross.
Hi Mark, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Music has always been important but was never the most important part of my life as a kid. I was obsessed with gathering CDs of any genre. I loved collecting them. I had rock music, jazz, traditional Celtic, you name it. Along with my cheap Radio Shack headphones, I’d hide my walkman at the bottom of my backpack just so I could show my friends on the bus the new music I had found. However, my focus was primarily set on playing baseball until about 8th grade. At that time, I had started to show more of an interest in music. I have a friend, Matt, who (in my eyes) was a killer guitar player. I wanted to give it a try myself.
What started as a couple of friends covering The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has turned into a lifelong passion for me. In high school, I quit the baseball team and turned my focus entirely toward music. The band I was in in high school was lucky enough to garner a following that lead to two US tours. This gave me a taste of what I knew I needed more of. I started writing, learning, and networking more. I’ve been lucky enough to tour with Foxtrax, Barns Courtney, Michi, Small Crush, Hunny, and a few other bands. It is incredible that, because of music, I am able to see parts of the country I never would have been able to see. Along with playing two or three gigs a week, I am currently writing and recording at my home studio and plan on releasing a ton of new music in 2023.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has had its ups and downs. But, ultimately, I’d say it’s been a smooth road. Bands break up, songs don’t get as much attention as I’d expect, and things cost more than I can afford. I’ve realized that when I put too much pressure on myself, that’s when the road gets rockier. Great music can’t always be born overnight. I have a constant struggle with this. I want to write the next Bohemian Rhapsody as soon as right this moment.
That is very unlikely to happen if I don’t put in the work before and after writing the song. I could write the next Bohemian Rhapsody and it might just get lost in the shuffle of new releases online. The waters of the music industry are tough to navigate. It will never stop me from having a good time writing songs, though!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve explored a lot of genres but I seem to have an affinity for creating rock, indie, psychedelic, and jazz music. A lot of my time is spent building and troubleshooting my home recording setup. I’ve made a ton of progress but I love that there is still so much to learn.
No feeling is better than releasing a song I’ve worked months on. Each release makes me feel like a proud dad. I can look back at the journey of creating that song and hold those memories forever. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made over the years and I’m excited to see where the progress will take me.
What do you think about luck?
It might sound funny coming from a musician, but I don’t really believe in luck. I think things just happen, good and bad, at any given time regardless of circumstances. Sure, you can find $5.00 on the ground or you can accidentally run over a nail on your way to work. That’s pretty lucky/unlucky in a sense.
But, as far as important matters in life go (business, love, etc.), I don’t think any amount of good or bad “luck” is going to change your overall outcome. You prepare, you practice, you put yourself in a situation and you either succeed or you don’t. If you don’t succeed, it’s a learning experience and you’ll be more prepared for next time. If you do succeed, pat yourself on the back for all your hard work!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thoseanimalsmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoseanimalsmusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thoseanimals805
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTI5Rh2r6ypbdrhNFsK9Ziw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/thoseanimalsmusic
Image Credits
Matt Villa
