31 Mar 09 The Hitmaker: a primer
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.
Tags: bio, The Hitmaker
31 Mar 09 Soundtracks and Scores
Nicholas Markos has composed music for number of films/soundtracks. Most recently, he created the entire score/soundtrack for the documentary film Trashed, directed by Bill Kirkos (Oxi Productions) and did music for the documentary Vincent: A Life in Color by director Jennifer Burns (Zweeble Films).
To inquire about music for your film, send us an e-mail at: news [at] tierecords.com
You can purchase the soundtrack to Trashed here:
Tags: Nicholas Markos, soundtracks, Trashed, Trashed Movie Soundtrack
31 Mar 09 Nick’s favorite pop songs
Just for fun, here are Nick’s current favorite Pop Songs (old or new). It changes from day to day, but here’s what’s on now, in no particular order:
Where the Streets Have No Name - U2
Hallelujah - Martin Sexton
10,000 Nights - Alphabeat
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley
Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie
Tags: fun, Nicholas Markos
26 Mar 09 Nicholas Markos: bio
Nicholas Markos plays guitar, writes songs, and sings. He has released five solo albums and has opened for numerous international acts (Bob Dylan, Melissa Etheridge, Squeeze, The Violent Femmes, The The, Roger McGuinn, Curve, Glenn Frey, Todd Rundgren, et al), performed throughout the USA and the UK, played guitar (and tambourine) for several other groups, and composed the soundtrack/score for a few films.
…[Nicholas Markos]…is…a good…[guy]…
—Swifty Lazar
The Chicago Sun-Times had this to say about the most recent work:
A slave to no genre, the ridiculously prolific Nicholas Markos brings to mind a hipper underground version of David Gray while recording under his own name (as on the newly reissued solo disc, “Pinata Mondatta”)…. He’s also working on a new album under yet another identity…. He could be dangerous.
Download.com’s editors gush:
The quest for a great summer pop song is eternal–every summer requires a new one. “New Girlfriend” might be the tune for you. Without the slightest bit of sap, [Nicholas] celebrates the simple joys of a new relationship in this gently rocking acoustic number. Any time you hear a singer belt out “sha-la-la-la” without irony, you know you have a winner.
From Listen.com:
Nicholas Markos plays R&B-flavored Americana via U2’s Rattle and Hum record, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fat, rootsy guitar riffs, chunka-chunka Hip-Hop rhythms and bluesy vocals combine for an interesting hybrid of the traditional and the cutting edge.
Curriculum Musicae
Nicholas Markos has participated in the following recordings:
As a player:
- Live at the Vic, Nicholas Markos
- Whatever, Nicholas Markos
- Pinata Mondatta, Nicholas Markos
- The Usual Tactics, Nicholas Markos
- Holiday Pop, Nicholas Markos
- The Theme From Hot Doug’s, bee
- Break Through Overground, bee
- Epiphany, Jordan
- My Gay Estranged Father, BA
- “Lotta Love to Give” on The Unbreakable Chain: A Tribute to Daniel Lanois compilation CD, Jordan
- Nice Hits v2.0, The Hitmaker
- Don’t Stop Believin’ (featuring Deen Castronovo), The Hitmaker
- Reindeer Buffet: 10 Years of Christmas Cheer, Tie Records compilation
Songwriting:
- Lullagoodbye, Taylor Mills: three songs (”Hello Sun,” “Disappear,” “New Year’s Eve”)
Live performances playing with the following artists:
- The Falling Wallendas
- Cath Carroll
- Last Gentlemen
- David Singer
- Holly Long
- Michael McDermott
Opened solo for the following acts:
- Bob Dylan
- Melissa Etheridge
- Todd Rundgren
- Roger McGuinn
- Glenn Frey
- The The
- Concrete Blonde
- Difford & Tilbrook
- 10,000 Maniacs
- Curve
- Julia Fordham
- The Auteurs
Opened with a group for the following acts:
- Stereolab
- Electronic
- Revenge
- Wendy & Lisa
- Slowdive
- Morphine
- Archers of Loaf
- The Mekons
- Syd Straw
Tags: bio, Nicholas Markos
26 Mar 09 Jordan: epic synthpop for your mind and soul
Jordan is the J.R.R. Tolkien of synthpop. In fact, they might require a third “R.”
Jordan is the international duo of Marcos Sueiro and Nicholas Markos–creating epic synthpop that combines the sensibilities of The Blue Nile, Ultravox. Jordan developed while the two were on tour in the American West. Stopping their vehicle by the side of a road that threaded the Confusion Range in western Utah, the idea for Jordan materialized. “I stood upon that hilltop, my ten-thousand filaments stretched across the ether, and suddenly I was in touch with the really real,” says Markos.
From the far side of the ocean, they put the wheels in motion.
In addition to their debut full-length concept album Epiphany, Jordan also appears on The Unbreakable Chain, a tribute to the music of Daniel Lanois.
Release yourself!
26 Mar 09 Bolo. The Man, the Music.
Bolo is the pop-music-creating solo persona of Marcos Sueiro: Grammy-nominated engineer, producer extraordinaire, songwriter, vocalist, keyboard dynamo, Jordan’s better half, founder & man who puts the “International” in Tie Records International, and the wizard behind World of Wires.
Tags: bio, Bolo, Marcos Sueiro
