Mark Kano

 
"Walking on Broadway"
by Mark Kano
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

"So far "Walking on Broadway" is the best album of 2009, it may be a little early to tell since it's only February, but this will be a hard album to beat over the coming months"

Reviewed by Tim Nydell
Rock Bottom Magazine
http://www.hitrockbottom.org/walkingonbroadway.html
- Rock Bottom Magazine

Athenaeum Front Man Readies Solo Album
By: Chad | Source: Alternative Addiction
August 23, 2008 9:29PM EST


Mark Kano, lead singer of North Carolina rock band Athenaeum, is hard at work on his first solo album. This marks his first studio effort since the band's self titled release back in 2001.

The decision to record an album as a solo artist was something that Kano struggled with for some time, although he was one of the main creative forces behind much of Athenaeum's albums.

"There were times where I have doubted because I have always been in a band, and I feel like I am more of a band guy," Kano told Alternative Addiction in a recent interview.

After relegating Athenaeum to a band that strictly plays live together, Kano needed another outlet to exercise his musical creativity. He began writing music for a record, but did not have plans to record a solo disc.

"I had written a handful of songs that I thought were good enough
to be on a record," explained Kano. "It wasn't until I wrote a song called "Walking On Broadway," which in my opinion is one of the best songs I have ever written, that I felt like I should record a solo record."

The personal lyrics and connection Kano felt with the song made him realize that he should release a solo album. Kano also was urged by an Athenaeum bandmate to give the solo route a try.

"It felt like the right thing to do, plus I got a lot of encouragement from Mike Garrigan, who has put out many solo records of his own."

Kano also considered the negative stigma that tends to attach to solo releases by lead singers of successful bands.

"A lot of bands end up going that route where the lead singer ends up making a solo record after the band breaks up, and 9 times out of 10 it's not as good as the group project, but I really feel like this material is as strong as anything Athenaeum ever put out. Hopefully people will agree."

To mix the album, Kano was able to reunite with Gavin MacKillop, who produced and mixed Athenaeum's major label debut, Radiance. The album is due to be completed before the end of the year. The release date is being driven by MacKillop's schedule, as he mixes songs in his free time.

"I know that I am going to be done with the record this year. I'm hoping that it will be available for the holidays, but there is just no telling," says Kano.

As far as releasing the album on a label, Kano has initial plans to release it independently.

"I'm sure we'll be shopping it to major labels, because ultimately that would be my goal to be recording for a major label again. But I am recording this stuff thinking in my mind that I will be releasing it as it is."

Kano has been playing several songs from his debut at shows in North Carolina, and has received a very strong response. He also released a rough mix of a track off the album on his MySpace page at: http://www.myspace.com/markkano - Alternative Addiction