Marko

How long you’ve been playing?

I started playing piano at six because my dad gave me a choice to play either piano or guitar (not playing anything was not an option) and I chose piano because even back then, I pictured myself hooking girls with a sweet tune on the piano. From there I moved on to learn some things about keyboards, but nothing sounds better than some classical music on a baby grand.

Influences

Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd

Why do you play?

It’s always been about the girls and that’s why I started playing with my brother. Nothing hooks a girl quicker and easier than a good song coming from a “rock star,” right? Actually it’s more about the escape from reality to better be equipped with the knowledge and understanding to best explain or explore reality. Toni Morrison once wrote, “Only those who talk their talk through the gold of curved metal, or in the touch of black-and-white rectangles and taut skins and strings echoing from wooden corridors, could give true form to his life.” The quote is about musicians and their ability to give meaning to life, including all that’s good and bad. Even though the quote is taken out of context, the statement stands alone as a truth, a peak into the mind of a musician. I write music, lyrics mostly, because I love intricate poetry with words that describe meaningful experiences and issues. The best way to make poetry is through music and especially rock n’ roll because rock has helped me identify myself and allowed me the mode through which to tell stories.