Working Hard and Living Life: Interview with Marcus Yates 7.1.14

Lettey: Good Morning Marcus. Hope your doing well. Tell everyone what's been going on with you. What are you up to and working on these days. 

Marcus: Good morning Lette. I'm doing great. I've been composing and mixing. Getting my camera fixed to direct videos, and mainly mixing has been consuming most of my time. If I was just rapping I'll probably be performing, but the mix is more important. Oh, but I do have a couple of shows coming up with Krizz Kaliko too that I'm preparing for as well. 

Lettey: Tell us more about those shows.

Marcus: It's a 6 show run. I still don't know all 6 shows, but I know Seattle and Portland are two of them. 

Lettey: Tell us how you're getting through the recent loss in your family. Who's supporting you through this time?

Marcus: Everyone is getting through it well. She was such a big chunk of the soul in the Yates family and the service was so uplifting. She was definitely smiling. 

Lettey: Tell us about your new project. How's it coming along and what have you been working on? 

Marcus: I'm working on this CRAZY track right now. I'm thinking about it being the single. I can't leave it alone. I keep playing with it. The project is gonna be so wonderful. 

Lettey: Who have you been working with on this project lately? Any plans for any new guest spots? 

Marcus: Just Tech so far. I probably might work on something with Krizz. It has to all align though. Macy has to happen. There's just no way it can't. I don't wanna be the one just putting people on tracks because its there. It's ALL about quality this go around and I'm not settling for less. 

Lettey: Do you have an expected release date for the project?

Marcus: No not yet, it's next year though. 

Lettey: What are your plans for music videos with this project?

Marcus: I'm gonna finish the songs first and submit them to other visionaries and bounce some ideas around about it. 

Lettey: Do you have any words of encouragement for artists out there wanting to make it happen?

Marcus: Yeah, and this might be rude motivation but..."Shut the fuck up and GO!" haha

Marcus Tells All weekly Blog

It's Tuesday and Marcus is working hard on creating and appreciating music all around him. Marcus took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions for the fans. 

Lettey: Good morning Marcus. So the fans are excited for and anticipating this new project you have coming out. What are you currently working on with the album and who are you listening to musically for inspiration? 

Marcus: Hey morning Lettey. So right now I'm about 5 concepts/songs into the project. I'm just working on tightening up the mixes. I'm adding little things to make those tracks bigger. Right now I'm listening to Ratatat for that beauty in their electric guitar mixes. I'm trying to find how I can change how people listen to certain instruments. 

Lettey: What musical experience has most influenced you over the last 5 years and who has been a big mentor to your during that time? 

Marcus: The past 5 years...hmmm... Well within the last 4 years it's been my creative family from college. The experiences I've had with those people are priceless. From finding myself to finding my inner funk, it truly was a blessing meeting them all. 

Lettey: If you could have anyone do a guest spot on the album, who would it be and why? 

Marcus: Macy Gray. I actually need her on this album. Like yesterday!! She fits the texture, other than that, Tech definitely. My creative family, Clergy, some of the homies from AGO and that's about it. But yes, Macy Gray for sure. 

Lettey: If any major label were to offer you a contract, who would you be excited to hear from and why? 

Marcus: If I start my own label, I'll offer myself a contract (haha). It's so confusing with this music business, Lette. Which is so unnecessary. 

Thanks for taking time to answer some questions with us and until next week. 

Get to Know Marcus Yates in our new weekly fan question blog.

Lettey: Of the songs you've written so far, which is your favorite and why? 

Marcus: That’s really hard to tell. I spent so much time on all of them to the point where they all are my favorites as an (unfinished) whole. I’m still spending time on them.

Lettey. Do you have any shows coming up?

Marcus: No Shows coming up. Just creating and writing.

Lettey. What is the best way for people to get a hold of you if they wish to book a show or have you on a track?

Marcus: The best way to get a hold of me is at Oobersounds@gmail.com for booking and serious inquiries. (Marcus is working on his new album and response times may be delayed but we will all do our best to respond.)

Lettey: Will you be attending the Gathering of the Juggalos again this year?

Marcus: If Krizz Kalico has his own set there, then yes I will.

Lettey: Tell me why you feel Jazz is a good musical inspiration and what do you hope it will bring to your fans?

Marcus: Jazz is infinite. The sings, chords, different tempos and time signatures, you could be really innovative with it. It has no rules.

Lettey: People really enjoyed your podcasts online, any chance of bringing those back from your college days?

Marcus:  I don’t know. Being so indulged in just creating this project..It’s really hard to tell. I’m in the moment right now and just recording my moments. 

If you have a question you are dying to know about Marcus, shows, the album, or just about anything, send Marcus an inbox message on Facebook and see it answered here each week on Sunday. 

New Projects On The Horizon

Lettey:  What style of music would you say the new project sounds like? 

Marcus:  Good Morning!! It's still in the works but of course it's more empathetic to the listener than Dark Taupe Schemata. For example, A song I'm working on now is more personal about the women (yes plural) that I'm attracted to and how each one of them equally caters to me. (Playa playa) Haha!! Nah but I'm like really sincere and honest about my confusion in this project because that's where I am and that's what makes me wake up and wanna find myself everyday. 

Lettey:  What is inspiring you in this project and what direction are you hoping to go in? 

Marcus: I'm really free with the creative process at this point. Living and jotting down basically. Planning to visit Harlem here soon to eventually live there.

Lettey: . Do you have an idea of when you'll be releasing it? Any new shows coming up?

Marcus: I talked to my brother Jon Bap.. I definitely don't mind my project taking a year or two to be completed. Seriously.. And it's definitely worth the gamble of supporters losing interest and gaining them back. I have nothing but high hopes for this project. Greatness takes time. In between that time, I plan on doing production for Tech N9ne for his upcoming album.. Working and writing with Krizz Kaliko and touring with Krizz Kaliko as well. 

Lettey:  Are you moving to Harlem to connect closer to your neighborhood and to get more inspiration? Marcus: I think it's more to just THINK in a different space. I have family there to reconnect with too. I have 3 songs maybe 4 out of a possible 15 that I wanna do.. And I got all the time in the world to build upon them. 

DARK TAUPE SCHEMATA LISTENING PARTY NOV 9TH 2013

New Album Art Up for Viewing

Dark Taupe Schemata due to Drop Nov 12th 2013! 

Marcus Releases New Song with Every Chiefs Victory!

Most people know that Marcus Yates  is a Kansas City Chiefs fan, as most respecting people are. So in honor of his loyalty to the team and to his commitment to the game, Marcus is releasing a new song from his upcoming project Dark Taupe Schemata with every Kansas City Chiefs victory!

This week, for Sunday's amazing victory over the Raiders, Marcus released a new song called "Sicksinoh."
Click HERE to listen.


Now if we could just get the KC cheerleaders to sing/cheer to his song on the field, then we would be set!

DARK TAUPE SCHEMATA TO RELEASE IN NOVEMBER!

Marcus recently announced the name of this new project, "Dark Taupe Schemata" to fans over Facebook. 

The project is slated  to release on November 12th 2013. There will be 100 limited copies of the project in vinyl, and the rest available for download via ITunes. 

When asked, Marcus said, " The name fit so well. Taupe color is really the color I imagine when I think of November. It fits well." Marcus is very excited to release this project into the world. 

Many artists compare it to giving birth. As an artist you spend months growing this project, caring for it, protecting it, and then when its birthed into the world, you want everyone to see this amazing thing you created and you are so proud of it.

Stay tuned for more info about the project, upcoming album art, and links to purchase the album.