Tie Records International

Shout-out for Trashed on Anderson Cooper’s CNN blog

Tie Records International — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:20:57 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:02:20 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:03:02 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:39:24 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:34:30 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:30:02 +0000

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

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:24:28 +0000

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.”

Nicholas Markos: Live at the Vic album

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:20:10 +0000

The debut album from Nicholas Markos is a 100% live recording of his solo-acoustic set at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, opening for Concrete Blonde back in their heyday. He’s got the crowd from the get-go.

Soundtracks and Scores

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:05:20 +0000

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:

Nick’s favorite pop songs

Tie Records International — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:06:14 +0000

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