DeMarco
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DeMarco

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"Angel Face Album Review"

Since Brian DeMarco exiled himself to the road in 2005, he’s been learning a lot, at least that’s how it seems on his new record. On Angel Face, his fifth solo album since 2003’s Never Come Down, the listener is suddenly introduced to a wiser, more road-tested DeMarco. Angel Face is an unabashedly dark, ominous and at times haunting effort from the singer/songwriter. The album opens with “Angel Face Part I–The Death of the Poet”; a sedate, spooky track with spaghetti Western kind of whistling setting a scene for the rest of the album. Angel Face provides a host of these moody, lush soundscapes and conjures images of life on the road far from the comforts of a sedentary lifestyle. The third track, “Dragging You Down,” takes an electrified turn back to DeMarco’s days in Flag playing with the blues-rock unit the Joe Banks Band, but the next moment he flips back to his folky tendencies. “Catch a Dream” is a guitar-and-vocals tune with his girlfriend, traveling companion and musical partner Lisa Gridley’s sweet backup vocals, which provide some levity to DeMarco’s artistic intensity. “Journey to Hear” is a floating tune reminiscent of the album’s opening track, also capturing a Calexico and Neko Case vibe. DeMarco’s strong suit has always been his comfort with multiple musical styles. In total, Angel Face is a moody, but beautifully constructed and executed statement of an artist comfortable in his own skin, and for that matter, the skins of practically anyone. For more info, see www.demarcomusic.com. - Flagstaff LIVE


"DeMarco's Flag Swan Song"

By Ryan Heinsius
Flagstaff Live! August 4-10, 2005 Vol. 11 Issue 31

With his most complete album yet, the local troubadour says goodbye, sort of.

This Saturday, singer, songwriter, bandleader and local musical institution Brian DeMarco will celebrate the release of his new album, Bend Don't Break, as well as the close of a chapter in his life. For DeMarco, it will be a bittersweet affair as he preps for one of the biggest adventures of his life. Next month he will embark on a life of truck stop coffee, inflated gas prices, penny pinching and the glorious uncertainty of never-ending road weariness. In short, he's hitting the road in the grand tradition of American minstrels before him.
For DeMarco, who has logged nearly (half) a decade in Flagstaff playing every conceivable music venue around, his never-settled spirit is seeking more -- more for himself, more for his music and more for his soul. But not before a performance at the Flagstaff summer standard, Flag Brew’s Party on the Patio.
For the last few years DeMarco’s music has taken on three distinct personalities: his flagship band Second Harvest, the electric blues outfit the Joe Banks Band and DeMarco solo. For the most part the three incarnations of his music have stayed separate in sound and purpose, but with Bend Don’t Break DeMarco has expertly woven together his varying musical styles and his many talented bandmates into one cohesive tapestry that comes off neither pretentious nor disjointed. It seems that to truly unify all the ways in which DeMarco plays music, all he needed to do was diversify his sound. Recorded over the last several months at Steve Botterweg’s Multi-Purpose Studios in Jerome, DeMarco brought in all of his ringers from his bands to create a sound that displays his songwriting abilities in their most natural environment. Bend Don’t Break has achieved a state of being multi-faceted but not scattered. Some tracks on the album have Second Harvest members Wild Billy Kneebone on bass, mandolinist Aaron Tyler and banjo picker Frank Dedera, while others have Joe Banks sound with bassist Dave Logan, drummer Ron James, sax player Greg Aitken, and six string supplied by Kneebone.
With his three previous solo efforts, Big Heart Small Worries, everythingnothing and Never Come Down, DeMarco’s style was honed and specific, bringing forth his trademark obsessive and prolific nature of a continuously working perfectionist. For each previous album the instrumentation was uniform and the stylistic sensibilities were consistent giving a real highlight to DeMarco’s bluegrass side, his electric blues side and his solo singer-songwriter side, respectively. Bend Don’t Break is a notable departure from this philosophy.
Bend Don’t Break’s first track, “Let’s Go Walkin’,” has an undeniable Neil Young Harvest Moon influence with the gentle, floating tempo and general complacently happy mood. Track two, the instrumental “Pass the Mezzrole,” takes an abrupt turn to the Joe Banks Band electric side with stinging lead guitar work by DeMarco himself. “Uncle Ray” exhibits a Bruce Springsteen Nebraska-era hollowness with strummed acoustic guitar underlying a somber tale of street reality and gritty misery. “No More Worries” signals a first for DeMarco with a sweet, syncopated reggae groove and smooth island backing vocals that comes off as an addictive blues/reggae/Americana fusion. The tune “Loves Broken Bow” is a somber, emotional and sparse piece with local picker Nolan McKelvey playing bowed standup bass along with DeMarco on piano.
Bend Don’t Break signals DeMarco’s fourth solo album and is the best example of his work to date with the most evolved incarnation of his sound. It’s time for him to hit the road and spread his musical seed, although he intends to keep Flagstaff as his base. Don’t miss him with members of Second Harvest and the Joe Banks Band as they run through DeMarco’s new material as well as some of his classic tunes.
See DeMarco with some of the best musicians in northern Arizona Sat., Aug. 6 at Flagstaff Brewing Co.’s Party on the Patio, 16 E. Rte. 66. Plan on paying a cover charge and the music should get cookin’ around 9:30 p.m. For more info, see www.demarcomusic.com or call 773-1442.
- Flagstaff Live!


"Brian DeMarco's 'Believe' tour visits the Little Bear Saturday"

By Brian Muir
10/06/2005

Flagstaff, Ariz. singer/songwriter Brian DeMarco marvels in the mantra “believe.” He has created some T-shirts, rented his house for a year and organized a tour dedicated to making music to match his unfailing faith. DeMarco arrives at the Little Bear Saturday for an intimate high noon show sure to reveal rebel roots in folk, blues and Neil Young.

“Recently, I’ve had a comparison complex with Neil Young, who I admire greatly because he’s never sold out,” said DeMarco, who takes the guitar and harmonica route so admired by Young’s acoustic fans. “He’s never been afraid to play from his heart.”

DeMarco has been hitting every hotspot between here and northern Arizona over the past month including clubs in Telluride, Silverton, Crested Butte, Gunnison and Glenwood Springs spreading his tenacious, tireless spirit as he tours. “Complacency is the mark of death,” he said. “I guess I felt stagnated since I’d played just about every club and town in Arizona in recent years. We needed to find some new venues and new audiences.”

Few artists have forged forth with more energy and enthusiasm than DeMarco. “Almost 90 percent of my sets are original music,” he said. “I think the most important thing is deciding what kind of artist you’re going to be and staying true to the vision. Inner growth is so important and if you dig deep, you can bring out that shining light.” “Bend Don’t Break” is DeMarco’s latest release complementing three earlier efforts, all featuring soulful, solo ballads and rocking R&B. And he’s famously frank about his sales. “I may not sell a lot of CDs but the people who buy them are into it and going to spread the word,” he said.

- Canyon Courier


"DeMarco Emerging Solo with 'everythingnothing'"

By Michael Gray Frick
Excerpts taken from Flagstaff Live! originally published in the July 8, 2004 issue

It's hard to throw an empty beer can in this town without hitting the omnipresent singer/songwriter Brian DeMarco. On any given day of the week he's playing Charly's, or Altitudes, or Mogollon, or Heritage Square, etc.
You get the idea -- DeMarco performs a lot, and well he should, because he's that good. He loves to play music (I'm sure he thinks all the time spent sleeping and eating is just a waste) and, darn it, he just looks good up there on the stage. He's a born performer with enough talent to make it anywhere: A high-caliber songwriter and vocalist that, if he wasn't sane, would be playing in New York or L.A. or Nashville.
Because of his stage promiscuity, we Flagstaffians are blessed in that we get to go see DeMarco at our leisure; and he's available in several DeMarco-driven musical morphings -- as the rootsy/bluesy guy in the Joe Banks Band, the cool country-string man in grassy Second Harvest. Or, dig him simply the solo guy; just plain DeMarco with a guitar and harmonica.
- Flagstaff Live!


"DeMarco to Grace O'Shays"

DeMarco to Grace O’Shays

Performance to focus on material drawn from newest album

By Tyler Wilson
Staff Writer

If you’re into “bare-bones, homegrown, thought provoking music,” then O’Shays is your place tonight.
Those are the words of musician Brian DeMarco of DeMarco, who will be performing at 7 p.m. today at O’Shays Irish Pub, located at 313 Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.
The band is comprised of DeMarco on acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals and piano, and Lisa Leanne on harmony vocals, fiddle and percussion.
The performance will focus on material drawn from their newest album “Angle Face,” but will feature songs from their previous four albums. The band emphasizes the distinct tone and style of each album.
DeMarco has opened for established artists including Taj Mahal, Tony Rice and Michelle Branch.
“The newer material is a bit more dark and moody,” DeMarco said. “(It’s) exploring ideas that question our so-called progress and accepted corporate environment.
Influenced by jazz and blues, DeMarco generates a variety of sounds in their cannon of songs.
“I’ve played bluesy sounding music and rock sounding music and bluegrassy and folky,: DeMarco said. “I think it’s important not to limit oneself in any way when creating.”
DeMarco and Leanne met seven years ago in Flagstaff, Arizona. Already a traveling musician on the road, DeMarco found Leanne’s harmonic, gentle voice a perfect match for his cross-genre songwriting.
“I think both Lisa and I have always innately understood creating art and music, “ DeMarco said. “It’s like you’re just born with some inexplicable understanding.”
“More practically though I suppose I found music to be more naturally meditative and full of energy than other mediums,” DeMarco siad.
DeMarco played at O’Shays about six months ago.
Prior to that DeMarco has only performed in Coeur d”Alene once before. Their current tour continues throughout the Northwest through early May.
Four tracks of their newest album are available for preview on the band’s Web site, www.demarcomusic.com. The tracks are deliberately raw, maintaining a live acoustic vibe to the sound.
DeMarco’s harmonica solos are inspired, and Leannes’s elegant backing vocals compliment DeMarco’s straight laced lyrical delivery. Their Web site also features tracks from previous albums for samplings.
When asked about his music, DeMarco expresses pure passion for his craft. He describes music as a divine experience, and considers all of their music as extensions of themselves.
“No frills here. No smoke and mirrors,” DeMarco said. “People can expect an honest and passionate performance by two people serious about communicating ideas.”
You can find more on DeMarco at www.demarcomusic.com or at http://www.myspace.com/briandemarcomusic.


I’ve played bluesy sounding music and rock sounding music and bluegrassy and folky. I think both Lisa and I have always innately understood creating art and music. It’s like you’re just born with some inexplicable understanding.



Brian DeMarco, left, and Lisa Leanne pose for a photo. DeMarco will play at 7 p.m. today at O’shays Irish Pub.
- The Press in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho


Discography

DeMarco newest effort, "Angel Face," is the duo's first collaboration. The four previous albums are an amalgamation of Brian's other collaborations.

Angel Face (2006)
DeMarco's latest album is a concept piece that explores the death, journey, and resurrection of the modern-day poet.

Bend Don't Break (2005)
Ranging from heartfelt ballads, reggae, blues, rock, and bluegrass, DeMarco shows the diversity and cohesiveness of his creativity in 14 songs.

Big Heart Small Worries (2005)
A departure from the bands, DeMarco shows his singer/songwriter side solo. Live, raw, and no frills reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan. Solid songs.

Everything Nothing (2004)
Backed by an electric band, this is DeMarco's bluesy album stacked with two electric guitars, harmonica, saxophone, bass, and drums.

Never Come Down (2003)
This album is DeMarco's first. An eclectic mix of songs with a rockier edge.

Photos

Bio

Brian DeMarco and Lisa Leanne met three leagues under the sea on a Sunday afternoon at 3:27 pm. He sat beside a budding coral reef drawing his self-portrait in the smooth, sandy ocean floor. He was finishing the curves of his fedora humming, “Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight Baby,” from Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger album when Lisa Leanne happened upon him. She had been swinging along from seaweed stalks admiring the many wonderful sea creatures when she heard his song. She dropped down from the seaweed stalks in one pure, fluid motion, landed beside his portrait and began dancing joyfully with the elegant and bobbing jelly fish. She smiled demurely but with a sparkling eye, and matched his humming with her own perfectly simple harmony. They sang with all that they had in their hearts and finished the ballad to the tears of many nearby guppies, who were listening all the while. He looked up from his finished portrait and with a gentle-eyed grin queried, “Would you?” Her eyes answered before her perfectly shaped lips replied, “I would.” He took her hand, and she helped him off his knees. They leapt up together, grasped a hold of a passing seaweed stalk, and began swinging. They’ve been singing songs and making friends, swinging along through this remarkably divine ocean scene ever since. So kind readers, if you ever get the chance to listen to their simple song, I highly recommend you do. You won’t be disappointed.

DeMarco has had the privilege and pleasure of opening for such fine artists as Taj Mahal, Sam Bush, Joe Ely, Allison Brown, Ralph Stanley, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, and Michelle Branch.

DeMarco has been touring the western United States non-stop for the last two years.

Press-

If you’re into “bare-bones, homegrown, thought provoking music,” then O’Shays is your place tonight.
Those are the words of musician Brian DeMarco of DeMarco, who will be performing at 7 p.m. today at O’Shays Irish Pub, located at 313 Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.
The band is comprised of DeMarco on acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals and piano, and Lisa Leanne on harmony vocals, fiddle and percussion.
The performance will focus on material drawn from their newest album “Angle Face,” but will feature songs from their previous four albums. The band emphasizes the distinct tone and style of each album.
DeMarco has opened for established artists including Taj Mahal, Tony Rice and Michelle Branch.
“The newer material is a bit more dark and moody,” DeMarco said. “(It’s) exploring ideas that question our so-called progress and accepted corporate environment.
Influenced by jazz and blues, DeMarco generates a variety of sounds in their cannon of songs.
“I’ve played bluesy sounding music and rock sounding music and bluegrassy and folky,: DeMarco said. “I think it’s important not to limit oneself in any way when creating.”
DeMarco and Leanne met seven years ago in Flagstaff, Arizona. Already a traveling musician on the road, DeMarco found Leanne’s harmonic, gentle voice a perfect match for his cross-genre songwriting.
“I think both Lisa and I have always innately understood creating art and music, “ DeMarco said. “It’s like you’re just born with some inexplicable understanding.”
“More practically though I suppose I found music to be more naturally meditative and full of energy than other mediums,” DeMarco said.
DeMarco played at O’Shays about six months ago.
Prior to that DeMarco has only performed in Coeur d”Alene once before. Their current tour continues throughout the Northwest through early May.
Four tracks of their newest album are available for preview on the band’s Web site, www.demarcomusic.com. The tracks are deliberately raw, maintaining a live acoustic vibe to the sound.
DeMarco’s harmonica solos are inspired, and Leanne’s elegant backing vocals compliment DeMarco’s straight laced lyrical delivery. Their Web site also features tracks from previous albums for samplings.
When asked about his music, DeMarco expresses pure passion for his craft. He describes music as a divine experience, and considers all of their music as extensions of themselves.
“No frills here. No smoke and mirrors,” DeMarco said. “People can expect an honest and passionate performance by two people serious about communicating ideas.”
You can find more on DeMarco at www.demarcomusic.com or at http://www.myspace.com/briandemarcomusic.

Couer d'Alene Press
Tyler Wilson April 27, 2007

Brian DeMarco performs a lot, and well he should, because he's that good. He loves to play music (I'm sure he thinks all the time spent sleeping and eating is just a waste) and, darn it, he just looks good up there on the stage. He's a born performer with enough talent to make it anywhere: A high-caliber songwriter and vocalist that, if he wasn't sane, would be playing in New York or L.A. or Nashville.

Above excerpt from Flagstaff Live! 07/04 by Mic