The St. Nicholas Markos Christmas Revue: December 23
Posted by Tie Records International in Shows on November 26th, 2011
The (15th?) Annual St. Nicholas Markos Christmas Revue will take place on Friday, December 23, 2011.
We’ll be returning again to:
Chief O’Neill’s Restaurant and Pub
3471 North Elston Ave, Chicago
The music will start at 8:00pm. No cover charge.
And feel free to poke around our music section–lots of free music available for download.
Goodvibe Girl single
Posted by Tie Records International in Recordings on November 26th, 2011
“Goodvibe Girl” is the new single from the band bee, masterminded by songwriter Nicholas Markos. A mesh of pure pop melody and inventive beats near the crossroads of Babybird and Jellyfish, the single furthers the experiments in melody and sound that Markos pursued on bee’s debut album Break Through Overground.
Coproduced by renowned drummer Todd Sucherman (Styx, Brian Wilson), “Goodvibe Girl” has enough ear candy for the careful listener, as well as a chorus that makes you want to turn it up. “Todd and I grew up together, listening to the same records as kids,” says Markos. “In addition to being a world-class drummer, he’s got a great ear for song structure and arrangements, and he added some key elements to the production of this track.” The single also features keyboards, backing vocals, and mastering by Grammy-nominated mastering engineer (and longtime Markos bandmate) Marcos Sueiro.
In the past two years, in addition to releasing several singles under his remixing identity, The Hitmaker, Nicholas Markos has played keyboards and percussion in David Singer’s The Sweet Science band, played on two records by LA singer/songwriter Holly Long, written music for two more documentary films (Ebert favorite Vincent: A Life in Color, and Get Lamp: The Text Adventure Documentary). Previously, he has put out several solo albums, performed live with numerous bands (including as an opening act for such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Melissa Etheridge, and Todd Rundgren), written and produced “The Theme From Hot Doug’s”–which he performed live last year with Hot Doug at the Rosemont Theatre on the Guy Fieri Roadshow, scored the documentary film Trashed, written music for commercials, collaborated on remixes with members of Journey and REO Speedwagon, been embroiled in rock-and-roll soap operas with Factory Records artist Cath Carroll and Santiago Durango of Big Black, and engaged in various fisticuffs and shouting matches with childhood friends in a range of bands.
“Goodvibe Girl” by bee is now available here, as well as on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon, and numerous other online music sources.
14th Annual St. Nicholas Markos Christmas Revue
Posted by Tie Records International in News, Shows on November 25th, 2010
It’s on again–at a new venue.
The 14th Annual St. Nicholas Markos Christmas Revue will take place on Thursday, December 23, here:
Chief O’Neill’s Restaurant and Pub
3471 North Elston Ave, Chicago
The music will start at 8:00pm. No cover charge. Chief O’Neill’s has good food and lots of tables, so feel free to come a little early, have a snack, and hang out.
We’ll be playing many of the hits you know and love, as well as some new treats.
Shout-out for Trashed on Anderson Cooper’s CNN blog
Posted by Tie Records International in Top Secret on April 22nd, 2009
Tie Records artist Nicholas Markos did the music for the documentary film Trashed, by filmmaker Bill Kirkos. Today, Anderson Cooper’s producer posted a nice Earth Day-themed piece on CNN’s AC360 blog talking about Trashed. Check it out.
Also, please consider picking up the DVD of Trashed from Amazon. Yes, we’re biased, but it’s a compelling documentary. In fact, why don’t we let you download the soundtrack for free, if you’d like . . . Enjoy.
download the Trashed soundtrack free
Website Renovation
Posted by Tie Records International in Top Secret on April 18th, 2009
Hello, visitors!
Thanks for stopping by. The site looks pretty fugly right now–sorry about that. We’re rewiring the whole thing, and it should be in much better shape, aesthetically and organizationally, soon. Thanks for your patience!
The Hitmaker: a primer
Posted by Tie Records International in Artists on March 31st, 2009
The Hitmaker puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like you . . . the only difference is that once his pants are on, he makes The Hits!
Who The Hitmaker?
The Hitmaker is a remixer/reinventor of classic rock anthems–the Copernicus of hooks, the Galileo of beats. Let’s break it down this way: The Hitmaker puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like you . . . the only difference is that once his pants are on, he makes The Hits.
The Hitmaker has been featured on Triple F Unlimited’s Underground Railroad Vol 7 “Mixtape” CD and the TuneTank ElectroDance Express CD created specially for the Amsterdam Dance Event.
Get Your Merch On: Buy The Hitmaker gear at the CafePress The Hitmaker store.
Answers to some common questions….
When I listen to dope beats and phat grooves, I become entranced and can’t concentrate on my work. Can you offer any guidance?
Yes. We can help you by instructing you to steer clear of music by The Hitmaker™, especially the new record, Don’t Stop Believin’ (featuring Deen Castronovo). Also, don’t go to moe concerts, listen XFM radio in London, or listen to DJ Poseur spin—all of which are situations in which you may be exposed to the music of The Hitmaker. In fact, you might want to avoid clubs and radio altogether.
I do not want my rump rocked, nor do I want my booty shaken. Can you help?
Yes. We advise you to avoid listening to anything by The Hitmaker™, and be particularly wary of the “Roll With the Changes” remix.
I heard that The Hitmaker remixed The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band–is this true?
Yes. The project is called The Hitmaker’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
I am afraid of getting The Hitmaker’s music on my iPod–is there a way to prevent it from getting on there ?
Start by not buying the songs from the iTunes Music Store.
How can I avoid purchasing your CD?
In your situation, we recommend that you abstain from clicking the links to CD Baby, which inevitably lead to you purchasing the records.
I want to wear clothes that are not cool The Hitmaker™ gear. Can you tell me how?
Yes, just wear anything that doesn’t come from the official The Hitmaker™ merch shop.
Nicholas Markos: Holiday Pop – The Christmas album
Posted by Tie Records International in Recordings on March 31st, 2009
A tour-de-force of original Christmas music! Holiday Pop delivers the goods with rocking pop songs for the holidays. Includes the James Brown-style hit “Santa Don’t Take No Mess,” the U2-ish “Gimme Some Christmas,” and the old-school soul of “Come On Home for Christmas.”
Nicholas Markos: The Usual Tactics album
Posted by Tie Records International in Recordings on March 31st, 2009
Terrific pop songwriting sets this record apart from other indie pop music–the hooks are deep and giant. Grooves like “Cool Water” and “Computerman” combine rock with modern beats and production.
Nicholas Markos: Piñata Mondatta album
Posted by Tie Records International in Recordings on March 31st, 2009
The second studio recording from Nicholas Markos, Piñata Mondatta is wild melange of pop songs–catchy hooks in seemingly diverse styles, but all full of pop sensibility.
Nicholas Markos: Whatever album
Posted by Tie Records International in Recordings on March 31st, 2009
Whatever, the first full-length studio album from Nicholas Markos, is an eclectic mix of pop-rock songs in the vein of Paul Weller, or the Beatles’ Revolver. Contains the popular tracks “I Get the Feeling,” “Building Up,” and “4th of July.”