PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

DAN MARKELL (DM): My most recent project is a single release called “Look At The Girl” for which the initial feedback has been really great albeit from friends who don’t want to say mean things to me. Honestly, it’s been very positive.

The Recording Process:  There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago.  Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way.  Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?

DM: This project came into being when a little while back I suddenly got the gumption to ask my long-time friend Coz Canler (former lead guitarist of The Romantics) if he’d be up for doing some recording with me. When he said “yes” I set about creating a few songs I felt were worthy of his involvement. Stoked by his positivity, I called another long-time friend (and legendary musician) Clem Burke who agreed to play the drums on the session. “Wow!” I enthused to myself, “This is gonna be cool!” And, indeed, it was. We cut three songs of which “Look At The Girl” was (and still is) one.

Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years?  How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music?  Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?

DM: I still buy CDs, although not in the quantities I did when I was younger. Despite the internet making it easier than ever before to access music right in the palm of your hand I feel the enjoyment of music is meant to be (as it has been for hundreds of years) a communal experience because we like to do things with groups of friends we’ve built around similar interests (in music, sports, politics and height…if you really want to see eye-to-eye). Some people come together on the basis of like hairlines only to later have a falling out.

But, I firmly believe that music will continue as one of the art forms best enjoyed live and in-person with others …otherwise we’ll just have to sit home spilling beer on ourselves, stepping on our own toes and hollering loud enough to lose our voices which – while saving on cover charges – is just somehow lacking.

We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them?  Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

DM: I’m currently recording some new songs the first of which is entitled “Carried Away” and will appear on this year’s IPO Vol. 17 CD compilation. So, it will be part of a piece of physical product right off the bat. Other than that I just may be putting songs out (either individually or compiled in album form) as digital downloads. I readily admit that this course runs counter to my own music consuming habits, but it saves space in my closets.

What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

DM: Right now I’m really into using only real instruments (no syths or samplers) and enjoying all the little imperfections and quirky touches that are inherent to the musician’s own unique range of ability. For example, on my upcoming release “Carried Away” I play trumpet – an instrument on which I haven’t claimed to have any skill since high school. And my band teacher didn’t credit me with any even then. So, I do try to keep a critical ear on the clam-to-good note ratio, but to me the human element is central to making worthwhile music.

Okay – time for some light humor!  Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us!

DM: On, Man, I have a vivid recollection of performing live and (lacking the presence of mind to have threaded the guitar cable between the instrument body and the strap) stepping on the cord with sufficient force to unplug it at the most inopportune instant of the song. Result: obnoxious electrical hum in place of a planned six-string solo.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

DM: Gotta be Paul McCartney because to my way of thinking he is the single most purely musical person of the last half century.

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions.   What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why?

DM: Like virtually everyone else I know, The Beatles are the center of my musical universe. In addition to them I’d mention several other songwriters who pop into my head (in random order) at this particular moment: Graham Gouldman, Paul Kelly, Boyce & Hart, Bonner & Gordon, Johnny Mercer, Ray Noble, Harry Nilsson, Doc Pomus, Chuck Berry…all for masterful story-telling and colorful weaving of melody, harmony and rhythm into songs that are magical and memorable

Among the artists whose live performances have been influential to me: Paul McCartney, The Monkees, The Romantics, The Smithereens, The Police, Squeeze, Crowded House, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, The Beach Boys …

And Chip Douglas (probably best-known for his work producing The Monkees and The Turtles) is a great friend of mine. His creativity, talent and sheer musicality are a real source of inspiration to me.

We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?

DM: “Freeway Special” (album) and “Come On Summer” (EP) by The World Record, Nick Lowe’s “Quality Street” and the soon-to-be-released self-titled disc by The Empty Hearts!

Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them.  I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’

DM: It would be great if indie musicians could work on music full time…or would it? Maybe all the life that’s happening to us day-to-day is exactly the necessary fuel for our creativity – providing the inspiration and the need to pour our energy into music. I don’t think art grows in a vacuum. Come to think of it, I emptied my vacuum recently and what was growing in it was not art.

That having been said, my regular job is video editing and production and, of course, I love to combine that with music whenever possible. Media stuff is really what makes me tick. I’ve spent some years working in office environs but, when doing so, I always had the recurring daydream that the boss would come tap me on the shoulder and say, “it’s come to our attention that you don’t actually belong here…”

Okay, last question:  Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

DM: Well, my favorite place to send people to check out my music is:  http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DanMarkell

There’s also my own official website: www.danmarkell.com

And my youtube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/user/FermadaNowhere