We were lucky to catch up with Mark Lorenzo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mark, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I always knew I was going to be doing something creative be it in art or music. I was one of 2 people in my senior class that got an exemption from taking a math in college prep High School so I think that says something. Since I was raised in a home where I was definitely going to college, I just assumed that the right way to do things was to graduate from college then start the career. But it was only later when I figured out that musicians started playing clubs in high school and were signing record deals before 20. So looking back I would definitely have taken a different route and used that time to get experience, but if I did, would that have changed the trajectory of my life? Would things be different now? And maybe I would be where I am now.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The music industry has been a part of my life from a very young age, starting with playing instruments in the 2nd grade and crafting songs in high school. Today, I have evolved from a passionate musician to a professional artist – as the lead singer of Southbound75, a songwriter and producer working across various genres, and a vital partner in a record company.
My dedication to supporting independent musicians and artists led me to establish Pirateer Entertainment and MarkoSongs.com. These platforms are designed to assist artists in producing and releasing music, guiding them through live performance training, as well as providing invaluable marketing and social media strategies to transform them into nationally recognized talents.
My musical journey began with guitar lessons, and over time, I expanded my skills to include piano, drums, bass, and any other instrument necessary for my songwriting and recording. Drawing inspiration from legends like Prince, I embraced the ethos of self-sufficiency to master every aspect of music creation, since I was an only child, I was I didn’t have anyone else around to play music.
Having been fortunate enough to cross paths with Prince, collaborate with some of his esteemed crew members, and record in the iconic Sunset Sound studio in Hollywood, California, I have been truly privileged to immerse myself in the essence of music history.
My daily routine revolves around composing and producing music, not only for my own projects but also for emerging artists. By facilitating the distribution of songs on major platforms like Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube, alongside video releases, I am dedicated to promoting artists without traditional record deals. Furthermore, my team is always open to discovering and nurturing new talent, offering aspiring artists the opportunity to navigate the music industry through contemporary record deals.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Supporting creatives, especially musicians and artists, can be as simple as following them online and streaming their music. In the past, an artist’s popularity was measured by ticket and CD sales. However, in the digital age, it’s all about views, followers, and streams.
When you follow an artist, you contribute to the growth of their core fanbase. As this fanbase expands, algorithms begin to work in their favor, ensuring that more people see their posts. By sharing or liking these posts on various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the artist’s reach multiplies. This is how new artists are discovered nowadays. As their numbers increase and break through to new potential fans’ feeds, artists can establish a solid foundation with a fresh audience.
Additionally, by simply listening to an artist’s songs, you can not only boost their streaming numbers but also provide them with insight into where their fans are located. This valuable information makes planning tours and shows much more efficient.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, creating art has always been the ultimate form of self-expression. Whether it’s writing songs for myself or collaborating with others, producing music videos or designing artwork for a release, the creative process is what I truly enjoy. The ability to transform an inkling of an idea into a finished song is incredibly satisfying.
It’s not always easy to keep up with the pace of modern life, and often my creative output is quicker than I would like. However, despite the challenges, there’s still something thrilling about bringing a concept to life.
One important lesson I’ve learned over the years is to focus on the process rather than worry about the opinions of others about the final product. At the end of the day, I know whether something is good or not, and that’s what matters most. Perception is often a popularity contest, and sometimes it’s tough to escape that, but creating what you love should be the priority.
Luck and timing also play a significant role in the art world. Sometimes it seems like things fall into place effortlessly, while at other times, we may struggle to find the right inspiration. However, this is what makes the creative process so fascinating and rewarding. The little victories and breakthroughs along the way build up to a final product that we can be proud of, and that’s worth all the effort. Just picture the end goal down to exact detail and then forget about that and go to work.
Contact Info:
- Website: southbound75.com
- Instagram: Wearesouthbound75
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.lorenzo1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklorenzo/
- Twitter: Wearesouthb
- Youtube: YouTube.com/wearesouthbound75
- Other: Contact me directly at Markosongs.com
Image Credits
OLIVIA BASTONE