Bringing in the Holiday Vibes with Austin Marolla
Austin Marolla dances into the holiday with his new album 'Christmas Kiss." Just in time to become your new favorite batch of Christmas songs, the musician enlighten and delightens with fun-filled tracks such as "Santa Shake" and "Miracles," which has us head over heels for the east-coast artist. We sit down with Marolla to get the inside scoop on what's inside his musical gifts this holiday season. Catch up below!
1. What is the inspiration behind the latest holiday singles? Let's dive in, shall we?The idea for the album came about seven years ago when I was invited to perform at a friends holiday concert at The City Winery in New York City. I thought it would be a great idea to write a holiday song about just needing that one thing for Christmas...that Christmas Kiss. That was the inception of "Christmas Kiss" the title song for the album. "Christmas Kiss (Deluxe Edition)" is a collection of nine all new original holiday songs that cover the holiday season from top to bottom. The Deluxe Edition includes the Youtube videos for the albums first single, the fun new holiday dance song "The Santa Shake" and the albums second single, a moving video in a Josh Groban-esque holiday song called "Miracles." The video for my third single off the album, "Big Fat Christmas"- I'm excited to say will be out at the beginning of December. You can check out the Youtube videos for those two singles below. I truly had a blast making this album. I'm so excited that you guys can finally here and see the videos.The Santa Shake:
Miracles:
The new video for "Miracles" by Austin Marolla, off of his album "Christmas Kiss"! Directed by Brandon Herman (www.brandonherman.com; Instagram @brandonherman)
2.What made you discover your passion for creating an eclectic blend of your own sound? And how did you put it into holiday form?
I'm inspired by so many things. I love listening to all different genres and artists. From Pop, and A/C top 40 to EDM, Country, Latin and of course -I love Holiday Music! I just saw my favorite holiday movie again over the thanksgiving weekend, "The Christmas Story" - all the music that fits perfectly in with every scene. Just brings me back to my favorite memories during this time of the year. Holiday music makes me happy. Seeing everyone in the giving spirit also makes me wish that everyday was like Christmas. I wrote a song called "Can It Always Be Christmas" because that is truly how I feel.
Check it out here:https://soundcloud.com/austin-marolla/can-it-always-be-christmas
I also love writing love songs and I knew that I could marry the two forms because of my love for both. The way I write music is by putting out there my intentions into a song. Similar to the laws of attraction. I'm putting out there the things I want in life. Every song I write has an intention, whether it's love, forgiveness or happiness. I'm writing my own script in life through my music. My favorite holiday song growing up was "Last Christmas" by Wham! It's a perfect heartbreak/love song wrapped up in a Christmas song. The melody is so memorable and it's still being sung and covered by so many today. George Michael was an amazing Pop R&B singer-songwriter, who I aspire to write like and I love hearing his recordings - even with the synth pads all over it - the song is timeless. I'm even singing it at my holiday album release concert here in NYC at Symphony Space on December 8th, 2018 at 8pm.
Would love for you all to come and check it out! https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/austin-marollas-big-fat-christma
I think when I was a kid in grammar school we all learned the classics and loved singing the twists on them like Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg etc....but the one I remember best is "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" - it was the version where all the kids would echo "like a lightbulb" after we sang "had a very shiny nose" - we always got a kick of that song as kids in school. Learning songs like that and "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" inspired me to write a comedic sequel to the iconic classic song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" which I call "Big Fat Christmas" Check it out here:https://soundcloud.com/austin-marolla/big-fat-christmas3. What places in your mind do you channel to craft your songs?Interesting that you ask me that specific question because I believe I do channel each song that I write. I have to be in a creative zen space, where I'm open and happy to be writing. When I'm in that space, the music just flows from a feeling to my mind, body and soul that I want to exude. Sometimes I'll be in the car or I'll be laying down even and hear a riff or melody in my head and I have to record it right away and then I go to work it out on my guitar. Other times I have ideas about what I want to write and map it out on a big poster board…but it does take me time to craft a great idea. I think of it like riding the wave, when I'm in the songwriting zone, you just keep on staying in flow and for me that means recording what I'm playing or singing and then fine tuning after you go back. When I'm riding the wave of writing music, it makes me see my dreams more clearly.
4. What are your favorite memories of the holiday season, musically?I come from a large Italian family and Christmas eve is truly my favorite night of the year. Traditionally, Italians do a fish feast and have so much food your stomach and eyes pop out by the end of the night. I use to remember Christmas eve day - running around the house trying to finish wrapping up gifts for my family and since I didn’t have money as a kid I would make art for my mom and dad. I use to take painting classes as a kid so my gifts were always some form of art. While I was doing that my parents were cooking up a storm. My father in the kitchen he always knew how to clean and cook the fish really well and he was there with my mom cooking baked ziti and meatballs, and my brother and I were there and I remember one of my favorite holiday songs on the radio always made us stop and listen…it was a song called “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” and oh that song made us laugh. After we ate dinner for hours, there were years when we went to mass before midnight and then came home to open up all our Christmas gifts. And my parents always got us so many things…and always left that special gift that we had wanted that year hiding until last. So they could see how excited we all were. There was nothing simple about our Marolla Italian Christmas but yet my favorite classic Christmas song is oh so simple - “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” 5. How do you create your songs? What is the process like? Does it take you days, weeks, even longer? How does the perfect piece come together?You know some people make songwriting look so easy, for me it is and it isn’t. I was priviledged enough to work at Shelter Island Studios in NY with my producers. And you know that’s where Bob Dylan re-mastered his albums. I heard a story where it took him like 15 minutes to write "Blowin’ in the Wind." And I’m like - really – really!!!…gosh – that is definitely not me. Although the idea may come in an instant – the songwriting aspect takes me a long time to craft, then I re-write and re-write until the final recording. I wanted to make each song on "Christmas Kiss (Deluxe Edition)" so clear that it made sense melodically as a story and that everything felt just right. However, I do look forward to the day when people say, “you know it takes Austin Marolla four seconds to write a song – 1st second to get the idea – 2nd second to write the song 3rd second to record it and on the 4rth second he puts his arms up and rests. Just like God did after making the Earth in 7 days"…lol6. What defines your sound to you? What in your eyes creates the perfect Austin Marolla sound?That depends on the song. I use an unique mixture of sounds to make the perfect song. Every song may have a different guitar base strum or picking pattern. I've studied guitar for many years and I'm always looking to write great songs using different patterns and rhythms. Christmas Kiss and my upcoming release in 2019 have a large percussive sound. To compliment that sound, I included lots of background and gang vocals to show that I was having a party and wanted you to be part of it! I believe I am always evolving, and since I am constantly changing so is my music. 7. What is your resolution for 2018? Overall and in the music field?I love writing and making New Years resolutions. Every year I make a big list and try to go over it throughout the year to see how I've done. For 2018, I want great health, wealth, happiness and love for me and those I know. I'm so glad that I am working with the best musicians, artists and those in the music business to get my music out there who love my music. I'm also putting this out there that I am so happy that my music is getting played all over radio stations, internet, movies, tv shows and commercials - round the world and that millions of people connect to the love, joy and fun that I am putting out on "Christmas Kiss"! After the year we've all had - I think we can sure use some of that - don't you? My other secret wishful resolution: I would love for Adam Levine and Kelly Clarkson to record "Alone On Christmas" because she can sing anything with anyone and Adam has my range of voice. It's a great duet tailor made for them to sing as well. The idea for the song came about because I thought it would be a great idea to write a holiday song to sing like the classic Ronette's and Darlene Love did - but put a twist on it and make it a duet.
Check it out here:https://soundcloud.com/austin-marolla/alone-on-christmas-feat-s-wainwright Alone On Christmas (feat. S. Wainwright)In the style of Phil Spector's holiday classic album, this updated duet jingles in all the right places and brings back that holiday sound you all love and want to hear all season long!Link up with Austin Marolla on his socials and music platforms: https://www.facebook.com/austinmarollahttps://twitter.com/austinmarollahttps://www.instagram.com/austinmarolla/
