The Bizmarks
Gig Seeker Pro

The Bizmarks

Kansas City, Kansas, United States | INDIE

Kansas City, Kansas, United States | INDIE
Band Americana Rock

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Ink Magazine Write Up"

By Lindsay Hanson ...

ink
Print

The best local band you’ve never heard of has taken its doughnut-honoring name to the world stage as a winner in Billboard’s World Song Writing Contest.

Overland Park’s The Bizmarks found out this month that their song “My Baby” placed second in the 17th annual competition’s Americana/Folk category, one of 11 divisions. The award lands the seven-piece group a spot on the music chart’s coveted winners CD, a promotional album that gets distributed to bigwig record execs and artists.

Billboard doesn’t reveal the number of entries, except to say that each song competes with “thousands” of others.

Pretty big stuff from a band whose name honors a menu item at the band members’ favorite dive, John’s Space Age Donuts in Overland Park.

“This is sort of the first recognition we’ve gotten,” said Aaron Mitchum, who wrote the song and sings and plays guitar in the band.

The band’s full, sleepy sound features male and female harmonies, violin, piano and a heavy dose of indie rock and alt-country. The Bismarks’ debut, self-titled EP came out last year.

The award-winning “My Baby” plods along lightly a la Ryan Adams or The Little Willies, Norah Jones’ country-music side project.

Mitchum said he wrote it “in about 15 minutes while I was sitting around one night in the summer.”

The second-place prize package includes a $300 year’s subscription to Taxi — an online artist scouting service — and band-management software. Oh, and a pair of BluBlocker sunglasses.

“Gotta love those BluBlockers,” Mitchum said.



Read more: http://www.inkkc.com/content/overland-park-band-wins-billboard-prize#ixzz0kB1hLSSh - Ink Magazine


"Publicity"

For Radio & Press Inquiries Contact:
Aaron Mitchum
Direct: 913-488-0082
aaron@bizmarkmusic.com

- Bizmark Music LLC.


"Ink Magazine's review of the EP"


Ink Blog - Press Play
Local EP review: The Bizmarks
Press Play on May 13th, 2010
Lauren
1 of 2

*
*

The Bizmarks EP

The Bizmarks, it seems, are a little bit country and a little bit (indie) rock ’n’ roll. But save the groans about the folk-tinged genre trend being played out. This band holds its own.

With this six-track, self-titled debut EP, the Overland Park group displays playfulness and skill. Take Wilco and add James Mercer of The Shins and you have something that sounds vaguely like The Bizmarks.

The Bizmarks’ lineup is seven strong, but aside from the member listing on the back, the ensemble goes unnoticed. Their songs could stand to do more to highlight their unique lineup. Featuring the violin and keys more boldly would be a start. Page Mitchum’s strings shine especially on “O Grace,” where they’re given the entire intro to establish a presence. Unique and authentic, the violin is the group’s above-and-beyond boost.

Aaron Mitchum’s crisp vocals highlight his exceptional songwriting. Especially on the third track, “Today the Sun is Shining,” it’s hard to remember that this EP isn’t just a singer-songwriter project with a backing band. Katie Falk’s backup vocals keep the track and others from sounding too solo. The guy/girl dynamic adds a nice harmonic richness and allows, again, for a playful element.

The harmonies keep The Bizmarks’ sound consistent. Falk and Aaron Mitchum blend together in a churchlike way, especially on “O Grace,” but that may result from the repetition of the title phrase.

The album has a good variety of songs that provide a telling introduction to the band and stay far from the first-album pitfall of finding a sound and beating the listener with it. There are up-tempo tracks and tracks to sway to. Lest you think the EP is too much The Bizmarks’ Variety Hour, an alt-country sound binds the album.

Most of the tracks run a bit long. Run times like the 6:51 spread of “O Grace” are generally (and rightfully) reserved for dance remixes. Interest starts to falter at the end of the longer songs.

The Bizmarks, around since just 2008, seem sure of themselves. Each track is well-written and well-produced, but, like any up-and-coming, folksy indie band, The Bizmarks need to focus on what makes them unique to stay relevant.

— emily van zandt { ink }


- Ink Magazine


"EP Reviews"

5 Star Reviews from I-Tunes:

This is an excellent album! The violinist is my daughter's Strings teacher and I've heard the album many times coming from my girl's rooms. I'm excited to see it on iTunes! It's intergenerational music in our house -- adults and children alike love it!

- Paulette Brown


I just saw them live at my church and it was amazing! I love them.

- Polkadot Q-T -Pie


I saw the bizmarks live yesterday and they're awesome! Buy this CD!

- Numba1NewtonFan - I-Tunes


Discography

EP 2009

Photos

Bio

"The Bizmarks, are a little bit country and a little bit (indie) rock ’n’ roll. But save the groans about the folk-tinged genre trend being played out. This band holds its own." - INK Magazine

With their self-titled debut EP, the Kansas City group displays playfulness and skill. Take Wilco and add James Mercer of The Shins and you have something that sounds vaguely like The Bizmarks.

In 2010, they won second place in the prestigious Billboard International Song Writing Contest with their song, My Baby.

Currently the band line up is five strong with the occasional cameo. They are playing out regularly and getting ready to go back into the studio spring of 2011.