Marq DeSouza is a veteran of Vancouver’s music scene. His latest work is his first solo effort, and is receiving critical acclaim. Described as heavier and more intense than the pop rock he was known for, this album exposes a less polished side of Marq, and highlights him as a strong singer and lyricist.

Marq took a few moments out of his schedule to talk with us about his music and his career.

You have been a part of the local music scene for quite some time now. Tell us how you have gotten to where you’re today.

It’s all I’ve ever really been truly interested in. Playing, writing and recording. Done it in many capacities, different instruments, styles and configurations. Right now I’m in what most people would call the classic singer/songwriter mode, but these things are constantly evolving. Who knows what will be next?

What made you decide to go solo this time? Is it just a break from life with a band, or is it a permanent change?

‘Band’ is a very overused word. There are very few true bands out there, and I have no real need to be a part of one. I am fortunate enough to have some great collaborators that contribute and seem to get something back from working with me on my stuff. This new record actually has far more people involved in it than anything I’ve ever done. I think next time things will be hemmed in a little more.

Looking back through things that are written about you, most people have trouble fitting you into a genre. You’re described as a mix of acoustic-funk-boogie-rock-country-pop and the comparisons read like a who’s who list of pop songwriters. How do you describe your sound and songwriting?

There’s a certain attractive dysfunction to my sound that’s hard to describe. It seems to be there no matter who I’m playing with, so it must originate with me. It’s not something that can be charted out or anything, and it means things may veer from great to terrible within a single song. I’ve always tried to balance craft and inspiration in the best way so that it can be appreciated on a gut level, but also by those who may want to go a little deeper into it.

What is your inspiration for writing? Is there one track that you are particularly proud of?

Songwriting for me comes in waves. I don’t really try to question why it comes around, only why it doesn’t. Lyrics are no different than the other parts of the song to me; they all must fit in the framework of the bigger picture. What looks good on the printed page doesn’t always translate when surrounded by crashing guitars and drums, so there’s a chiseling of the words that is the real hard part. I quite like DADDY DOOM on the new album, because it was written and recorded quickly, after the rest of the record had long been done. It was like a missing piece of the puzzle for me.

Compared to most independent artists, you are really working hard on self-promotion. Where does this business sense come from?

Well, you can do a lot of music and have no one hear it, but that doesn’t really do the music a lot of help. With this record, my main goal was for people to actually listen to it. If they don’t like it, that’s ok, just give it a fair shake. There’s a glut of music out there and a lot to wade through, so finding any way to rise above is hard, but necessary, work.

Do you have any business wisdom that you can pass on to others? Do you model your career after anyone else?

I can’t stress the word NO enough here.

Great albums are one thing, but a good live show creates life-long fans. What can we expect from your live show?

We just really play whatever we feel like. Usually there’ll be a mix of songs from the new album with a few rarities from my past. When there are different musicians involved, it’s nice to hear an old song re-imagined, but there must be time to explore it, which is often in short supply.

I notice that you have booking contacts for Europe. Are you touring overseas often?

Not as often as I’d like.

The music business has changed so much in the time you’ve been involved. Things like Myspace, iTunes and Project Opus weren’t even considered when you released your first album (with Solarbaby). What are you doing to take advantage of new technologies? Do you think it’s easier for new musicians, more difficult, or just different?

It’s probably a little easier, but the fact than anyone can do it so easily means that there is even more music flooding the world, all vying for attention. My plan with this record was to spend a lot of time on-line looking for potential outlets for it. It’s never-ending really.

Vancouver is a fantastic city to live in. What do you do when you are not working?

I don’t really like doing anything in particular, just going forward in whatever way I can. Relaxing has never been very relaxing for me.

You’re a busy guy. What’s next for you?

I’d like to do a new record actually. The one that just came out is tremendous and I’m proud of it, but I spent a lot of time in disillusioned isolation, paralyzed in a way that almost prevented it from ever seeing the light of day. I don’t feel like that anymore. I’ve never really worked songs from the ground up with musicians. Usually I bring the songs in more or less fully formed. Now I have a nice combo and I think we could do something interesting and different. I don’t have a lot of new songs written, but something is definitely coming. I can feel it.

Thanks Marq.

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