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Music Interview: Marshmellow Overcoat delve on musical influences, creative tastes & new single “Peace of Mind”


    Marshmellow Overcoat-2

    Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself.

    Marshmellow Overcoat is the name of the band and I’m the lead singer, Tyler Calkins. Marshmellow Overcoat is named after a line from the movie The Last Waltz starring The Band, Bob Dylan and others.

    What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?

    Everyone in MMOC has been playing music since we were young. For me, I think it was hearing Classic Rock songs and taking them to the piano and guitar starting when I was around seven years old or so. As far as a career I don’t think I realized music was what I had to do until I was a teenager, but I figured it out pretty quickly.

    Tell us about your new music? And what’s the story behind it?

    Our new single is called Peace of Mind. It is available to stream on all platforms. We started out simply wanting a new single to kick off the recording for our next album. Then being the time of year it is, we considered making it Christmas-themed. We didn’t completely run with that, but instead wanted the song to be uplifting after the year we’ve all experienced.

    It’s a short, ‘60s-inspired song. The Small Faces’ Tin Soldier was a major influence on it. Also, John Lennon had a song copyrighted in 1967 called Peace of Mind, and the music and lyrics have never been found from what I understand. In a way, I wanted to bring that song into existence.

    What makes your music unique? How would you describe it?

    We like to call it Classic Rock for today, but I’d also describe it as a mix of Roots rock, Jam band and even some Pop.

    Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?

    Going way back my very biggest influences were the titans like The Beatles, Stones, Billy Joel and Elton John. As for today, Jeff Tweedy, Jim James and Kurt Vile are influences who I’d love to one day open a show for. We also record at the Goo Goo Dolls’ GCR Audio recording studio in Buffalo, and have met them over our time working there. The studio has been such an asset to us so we are very thankful to them.

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    Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?

    Several festival performances and recording sessions come to mind.  But for me, the best moment was when I realized I’d be able to make a living doing this. I do have to freelance a bit – It’s not just playing and writing, but fortunately I’ve been able to teach and help produce and arrange a bit as well.

    How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends or work?

    Being able to make music my main career/work has helped with that aspect of it. As for family, the toughest part was making them realize I knew what I was doing in this business as well. That took some time, including going back to college for music. But I think a few years ago I finally found a balance. My girlfriend Samantha is very helpful with that too.

    What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

    Almost every young band has to sound subpar before they’re going to get where they want to go. The other guys in the band – Dave Verbocy, Alan Hancock and Anthony Cavallaro – Alan was a bit older and a seasoned musician already around the time the rest of us were getting started.

    If Dave, Anthony and I hadn’t spent a year or so hammering ideas out before we went and played for larger audiences, we wouldn’t have been ready. So for young musicians, practice with your friends as much as possible. The marketing side is probably even more difficult, but you can study that and adapt as you go.

    If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?

    We’ll always keep plugging away. There will be a new MMOC album by this time next year. And we’ll find a way to gig more next year and keep finding a wider audience. Lots to look forward to.

    What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?

    We’ll be back in the studio in early February to keep recording the next album. With Peace of Mind just coming out, we’ll probably put another single out around March.

    Stream on Spotify

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