Cosmicity IS QUITTING!!!!

[~jetjaguar15]

From the just-released newsletter:
"The ascent has begun. The new album is officially underway.
Lyrics are being written. Song ideas are being sketched. New
synths are being purchased. Computers are being upgraded.
And the title has been decided. As indicated by the subject line,
it will be called "Escape Pod for Two". This space-themed
album promises to be the collection that finally realizes the
potential of the term cosmicity. Blissed-out, thoroughly-realized
synthpop that'll take you away and never bring you back.

I am officially over-the-top psyched about this project. It's clear
that everything else in my plan book will have to take a back seat
for a while. No more live appearances. No more side-projects.
No more remixes. Just this album from now until completion.
It's going to be great. I can tell already. In fact, I'd like it to
become the definitive Cosmicity release because, after it's done,
I'm calling it quits.

What? Cosmicity no more? Yes, It's true. I'm closing up shop
after this release. "Why?" you ask. Well, I made a promise
to myself a long time ago that if, by the time I turned 30, I wasn't
where I wanted to be with Cosmicity, I'd shift my creative focus to writing. Well, I turn 30 next August (1 year from now), right about the time "Escape Pod For Two" should be ready. So, with this next release, I will gracefully exit stage left.

Is this forever? It's hard to say. I'm gonna wait and see. But I'm
definitely focusing on writing exclusively come next August. I love
to write (particularly dialogue... movie and TV scripts... I know I'm
not really novelist material), and if I can reach more people
through that creative outlet, I can't resist. I'll give that my best
shot and see what happens. Who knows? Maybe after six
months I'll miss composing music so much that I can't stand it.
But it will be time to find out.

For the next year, however, I'm putting everything I have into this album. If it's gonna be my last, it's damn-well gonna be my best.

There's no way I'm walking away without the ability to remind
myself that "I did my best." So, expect the best Cosmicity
you've ever heard on "Escape Pod For Two". I'm going to deliver.

PS - For those of you who don't read the website, I got engaged
in July. Yay! Sara Krist (aka DJ Ginger Snapp) and I will be
married just a couple of months after the release of this new
album in 2003, and I can't wait. Also, this information may help
explain the title of my forthcoming album. :-)"

[seraphim]

A mish-mosh of both sad and happy news. While It saddens me to hear that Cosmicity is calling it quits, I am happy that he is moving onto other things, still remaining creative. Good luck in the new endeavor and in the new marriage, Mark.

[~cliffwalk]

You'll leave behind a fabulous body of work, Mark. I hope you're proud of what you've done. I believe that the new album will be outstanding.

I'm not sad that you're quitting because you're quitting for all of the right reasons and that shows both courage as well as integrity.

You have a talent that supercedes "Synthpop". You write words that reach people. That talent WELL EXCEEDS your musical abilities which are great as well.

To be as good of a songwriter as you are you already have so many of the skills that are looked for in a writer. You've already found your "allusive" voice. That's the key to success or failure.

I wish you nothing but luck on your coupling-to-be as well as your pursuit of your career as a writer. Way to go, damnit. I'm always happy to see someone realize what they want out of life and actually have a rational way to get there. That's inspiring.

Peace

Dave

[NoirTech]

Ditto what Seraphim said. I too am saddened to hear that Mark is calling it quits on Cosmicity. I became a big fan of his almost immediately after hearing his music on one of Todd's compilations oh so many years ago. ...but...I'm also happy he's going to try his hand (heh) on writing. From reading all his articles on synthpop.net and various posts, I have found his writings to be entertaining, and funny. Should be fun to see what he comes up with next.
Secretly though...I hope his itch to write more music becomes intolerable, and decides to release more Cosmically tracks. :D
Guess no Cosmicity show for Tucson.

[~meg]

happy... sad..... happy... sad..... happy.... sad....

best of wishes as always, mark.... and i so can't wait for a glimps into the new album!

congratulations to you and your bride to be!

i wish you all the best.... in all you do!

meg :)

[~intro]

I write this with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.

I discovered Cosmicity in my junior year of high school. I was totally misguided and lost. Life sucked. I don't remember the details of how I found Mark's music, but it involved an AOL chat room. That's all I remember. Someone pointed me to his site, I ordered Isabella (my first order from Todd, in fact), and fell in love. I was this lost and lonely geek in high school, always falling for some girl or other. And Mark's music connected with me.

I realized I wasn't the only one. It was such a cool feeling. And that's what I've always felt has set Mark's music apart from the rest and made him hands down the best synth musician in America. He doesn't rely upon catchy melodies (even though he has them) and slick production tricks (even though he's capable of them). He is able to connect with people lyrically in a way that others only dream of. Myself included.

He's also partly responsible for my wanting to start a band. No offense Mark, but I realized that if a geek like you could do it, then a geek like I could do it as well :).

I'm a fan, I guess. I own every CD Cosmicity has ever released (except The Vision... only have a CDR... anyone have an original to sell me? Please?). I've seen five Cosmicity shows. And I've been lucky enough to make cool friends in Mark and Sara, which is more important than any of the CDs or concerts or any of that junk.

So, end of my sentimental rant here... Mark is a kickass writer. I'm looking forward to seeing his stuff on TV or in the movies. And the book is gonna rock. But deep down, I definitely wouldn't mind if he got the itch to make music again. Best of luck with all you're working toward Mark. And you'd better keep in touch, or I'll come to Detroit and steal all your PEZ. Got it? :)

-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

[7red7]

Well I can honestly say that I didn't begin getting into Cosmicity until Synthcon this year, and I purchased my first cd's there...Even though I'm still really new as afar as being a fan goes, it's still sad to hear we're losing a really good musician...

But hey Mark, I wish you nothing but the best as well, and I'm sure you're gonna kick major a** in the literary world...And I'm already looking foward to hearing the new material...Also, my congradulations to you and your bride to be :)

Best Of Wishes!!!

DAN

[~KissTheStar]

It's important to stay true to your heart and to yourself. Congratulations on making a tough decision and staying true to your beliefs. Good luck with your writing career . One thing for sure is that you could make a career from writing humor and parody! I wouldn't be surprised to hear more from Cosmicity in the future.


~Craig

[~draxijn]

i expect a soundtrack cd with my copy of your book mark =) oh come on you gotta! but seriously bro...you're clever in a nutshell. best of luck!

brett

[~graveyrdflower]

I can't say that I was that happy when I got the e-mail from the E-list... But one should do what they feel is right inside... I wish him luck on his writing career if that is truly what he wants to do.

Who knows maybe in the future Cosmicity will be back?
I guess I am an optimistic type of person.

[~Bornslippy]

Mark, you'll be back.. I read each of your article at Synthpop.Net religiously on Wednesdays, and I know you luv being a musician.. You've worked sooo hard that I dont think you want to quit music in general. I think your just going through a phase.. You bought new equip, upgraded your PC, for one record? You'll be back, you didnt just go to UNI OF MICH for nothing..


I luv COsmicity..

[~chriswdc]

Cosmicity has some really good albums, and I can not wait to hear the new release. Wouldn't it be ironic if the "last" Cosmicity album is the one discovered by David Geffen...similar to the fanatasy Mark described in his weekly newsletter. :)

[7red7]

Yeah that would be kinda wierd, but oh man what a way to go out though huh??? :)

[~cliffwalk]

I think if his last album was discovered by David Geffen it would cease to be his last album ;)

Dave

PS: We COULD work on making Mark hella-richnfamous and I betchya he'd stick around.

[Avil]

That´s too bad....I really loved your music Mark, Awake is one of the best songs I´ve ever heard...it´s a perfect song...into the smallest sound. One of my first contacts with the electronic world was with a Cosmicity song.

Best wishes for a great future.
Christina

[~David Vesel]

When I realized that synthpop was alive and well on the Internet, I went to that new fangled site called mp3.com and did an Artist Sounds Like search. Of course, I put in "Erasure" and up pops a list of artists, none of whom I'd ever heard of. This was in 1999 I think.

The second song on the list was something called "Digital Delays" by Cosmicity. (I'm not sure what was the first one on the list....perhaps "The Seed" by ElektroSquad....)

That's still the song that sticks in my head. I play Mark probably every single week on my radio show on Ampcast Radio.

Mark, it sounds like you're doing exactly what you want to do. I wish you all the best, cuz I think writing is probably a quantum level more competitive than music. Keep us updated, eh?

[~spi]

Sad and happy. Sad that this will be Mark's last album for the moment. Happy that he is working on a new album after the great album Pure.

Good luck in the future Mark and I hope someday you make some new music for us to consume.

-steve

[~intro]

I just can't wait to see what he writes. I found myself dying of laughter when reading the columns on synthpop.net. Imagine if he was writing for a TV show or something. It would be great!

-Mark
www.djintrovert.com

[~ElectroJunk]

Shame its (virtually) the end of the line for Cosmicity. It was one of the first synth-pop acts I grew up with. Lets hope he misses the music makeing and starts makeing a new album ;)

[~CrumbleToDust]

Mark, I understand your position. Good luck with the writing.

But don't forget, I like many other people have really appreciated what Cosmicity have done. So many of your songs will live on forever in my mind, heart and soul.

Farewell

[~Gandalfe]

Personally, I'm glad he's leaving. The synthpop community can never be taken seriously when there's someone like him running around with a real (not synthetic) sense of humour.

I've tried to do the writing gig myself (although not with quite the talent you have), and found that in order to succeed, you have to be very good (which you are), very lucky, and very dedicated. Or Stephen King, who is only one of the three. We know you're good, and you'd have to be dedicated to put up with all our ¤¤¤¤e, so here's wishing you best of luck.

[~cosmicity]

Wow. This is really something. I've had to take 48 hours to decide how I'd address all of these comments. It's so overwhelming! I didn't know my news update would prompt a big discussion thread like this... though I suppose the thought should have crossed my mind. In all honesty, I'm glad it did. It feels good that you all noticed. :-)

Anyway, after thinking about this for quite a while, I've decided I'm going to post a few excerpts from my online journal to help clarify a few things. But, for those of you who like your postings brief, I'll start with the 5-point summary:

1. I REALLY appreciate all of the cool things you guys have said here. From the bottom of my heart (right below an artery clog, compliments of McDonald's): thank you very much.

2. Don't count me out just yet. I'm still in this community and working on synthpop full-time for the next year. I really am going to retire and take up writing next August... but that's next August. Until that time, when I'm not immersed in the writing and recording of a new album, I intend to post links to synthpopbites.com in every thread on electrogarden. You know, just to keep things interesting.

3. Lemon scented pledge really does work better than original pledge. If you thought it was all just a marketing tactic, you thought wrong.

4. If I had to change one thing about Cosmicity, it'd be the name of the band. If I had it to do all over again, I'd be Pancakeman. Isn't that BADASS?!!

5. I don't want to stop making Synthpop, but I NEED to try writing full-time. As I mentioned in my press release, if I find that writing isn't what I need, I will be back.

Okay, that's the summary. If ya want the details, read on...

(Taken from my semi-secret page at livejournal.com)

"Part of me wants to just give-in and say, "Okay. ¤¤¤¤ writing. I'll make synthpop forever." But I can't do that either. Going into my 10th year of Cosmicity, I can no longer fight off the demons that plague me. They whisper logical thoughts like, "you haven't grown Cosmicity's audience in 4 years. Maybe this is as far as the project can go?" And sometimes, "Synthpop is invisible, writing is not." And worst of all, "Perhaps you're a good musician, but a GREAT writer."

And to tell the truth, what I really want to find out is that I'm a good writer but a GREAT musician. I think anyone reading between the lines of my [press release] could sense that. It's like that one guy in [this] thread says... I don't want to quit. Why else would I be spending the next year working on music? Why have I just revamped my studio?

He's right. I want the dream to come true. I want "Escape Pod for Two" to explode.

However, 10 years of experience says that the album won't explode. Of course, I will continue to be optimistic. I will hope for a really good response; an "Isabella"-sized response where people legitimately feel the album - and the clubs are forced to play it 'cause people are requesting it - and all of the good stuff I experienced with that release. If that happens, I'll be ecstatic.

But I still need to try writing full-time. The Synthpop audience is amazingly supportive and cool, but they can't change the fact that I lose money with every album - that the audience is small and finite - that my music will never be Futurepop or Electroclash or any perfect fit for large-scale sales. It will always be laced with me, and until the days when songwriting again rules popular music, "I" seem to go over better in print.

So, I'm sticking to my guns, but I'm sadder than anyone to be walking away next year. Lord knows I don't want to be the "quitter". I like being the reliable Synthpop band. So, I pray for a miracle, and plan for the inevitable."

mark nicholas
info@cosmicity.com
http://www.cosmicity.com

[~draxijn]

hmmm...

so how many copies of 'escape pod for two' would i need to buy to keep cosmicity going?!

but seriously...i can't see how 'pure' isn't your greatest success so far...it's too cool!

[Avil]

Originally posted by cosmicity

4. If I had to change one thing about Cosmicity, it'd be the name of the band. If I had it to do all over again, I'd be Pancakeman. Isn't that BADASS?!!


Well, if that´s what you need, I can accept your new name...
I can see the look on people´s faces when I tell them I use to listen to Pancakeman...

Seriosly, I would love to hear more stuff from u!

Christina

[~jetjaguar15]

It's good to know that Mark isn't closing the door completely. All we need to do now is make sure "Escape Pod For Two" sells 100,000 copies. :)

Seriously, I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors, Mark. Here's hoping that the synthpop itch you've been scratching for 10 years comes back to haunt you again someday... :D

[~Color Theory]

Mark, I know you think you can quit anytime you want, but you'll see...

"Welcome to the Hotel Allegro Chicago - you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave!"

Just kidding of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if you continued Cosmicity on more of a "hobby" basis. Good thing I didn't set a similar goal... I'm almost 33!

Brian.

[~cliffwalk]

You never really QUIT music just like you'll never QUIT writing. I take that back.... you never QUIT music and stay sane. I QUIT music for 5 years from 94-99. I literally QUIT. Stopped EVERYTHING musical I was doing. Sold what gear I owned, stopped playing jazz gigs when invited, sang only ONCE in public at my sister's wedding, and concentrated all of my passion and energy into a career.

The yield was that I indeed advanced myself quickly and grew my skills quite a bit. However... when you dive head first into a bucket of piss like a career that your heart isn't TRULY in (except you give it your heart and soul anyways) you find after a short period of time that you actually have no joy in your life.

If I respect anything a TON out of many of you is that so many of you (And Mark, you're the most public about it, but there's several of you even on this thread -- close to my age -- DIDN'T discard your passions entirely)

Anyways --- as I said above --- I'm psyched to hear your next album, psyched to read what you write next... and will be psyched to hear the music you come up with 10 years from now.

You are a fantastic musician... actually... to be more specific I've always considered you a great "Songwriter" and a damn good "Musician". To be technical about it.

Either way... cheers. This really reaffirms the faith that I'm discovering in life's ability to be a good thing. You need to be able to put things in boxes because life is longer and bigger than you. If this album ends up being the final "Chapter" in a project you named "Cosmicity"... so be it... but after that's done you aren't going to die like that guy on that episode of "Star Trek: TNG" that fell in love with that hottie mind-reader chick's mother... the one who came from a planet where they kill off their elders before they reach an age of discomfort.

You're just moving on to new stuff.

I just uprooted my life recently to change things around some. It was a "turning 30ish..." sort of episode for me as well except I had to wait a year after because I was locked into a contract.

30 is where the fun begins.

Wow, I ramble on...

Mark, thanks for sharing so many thoughts with us publically... it helps in ways one can't really articulate.

Dave

[~pop]

30 is not old.
I am beyond 30. 18 years old girls ask me on dates all the time.
Too bad, I am in love with someone who can't return my sentiment. Damn ¤¤¤¤¤. Sometimes, we need to take a break from music. Oddly enough, I gave up music from 94 to 98, because I got so sick of being poor. I made lots of money between those years, but I wasn't happy. I am more into music now. I also got more stuff to write about. Went from great lifestyle, to total disaster life that almost killed me, to slow improvement life. Sometimes, we all need to step back from music. Who knows,
you might come back as country music singer. I know I changed
music style least six times already with eight different bands.
Break might be good for you.
In reality, we never say good bye.

[~Mike Gjennestad]

My goddness when are we going to get that happy aquilibrium were the musicians get what they need and deserve from their musical efforts and we still get the quality and enjoyable non contaminated by big business sound that we enjoy?
\
thanks for everything mark.

gjennmike

[~msingleton1977]

"Ambition bites the nails of success." - U2

Hey Mark,

I have been a Cosmicity fan since 95' and I thought you were just starting to pick up momentum. But, I understand the frustration of loosing money constantly. Unfortunately, I feel any band that labels themselves "Synthpop" is doomed (on a mass scale), hence my quote. I know you love Synthpop. As much as I love Synthpop, it's thought of as soooo 80s that the mass audience will never be there to make it financially viable. Maybe some day it will make a come back, but who knows when. Music, I think, is a lot like fashion. The masses buy what's "in style" at the moment and it's constantly changing. I'm sure if you were doing Garage rock now you would be doing great! That's really big in MI right now right?

Who knows, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it just takes a large marketing budget to convince the masses that Synthpop is BACK! Can musicians attract venture capitalists? hehehe.

I just know that most of the people I hang out with think I listen to dated 80s music! They would never buy such a thing. But, the music is from a lot of the bands here.

I am surprised to hear you are moving on to writing because you are not making enough money with music. I would think that a writing career would be just as difficult to succeed. But, maybe not. Look how much it costs to write, record, and publish an album compared to a book?

Have you ever read (or listened to) the book “On Writing” by Stephen King? If not, it’s an excellent book and I highly suggest checking it out. While listening to his stories as a struggling writer, I always thought “You can start out with a pen and a pad. An electronic artist has to dump thousands into their projects.”

Do you still plan on releasing a Cosmicity DVD?

Oh yeah, the Pancakeman name kicks a$$!

Monty

[~pop]

You brought a good point about "any band that labels themselves Synthpop is doomed (on a mass scale)." That's why I and few others are going further away from it. Electronica has so much better ring to it, because it sounds very generic. It has more room to define the style. This scene has so much talent. I wish there is a way to make this scene more trendy. I think we need to hire a fashion consultant or something to define an image for our styles.

[~cliffwalk]

This may be offensive to some but there's some simple realities to accept as far as success in music goes.

It's far too easy to blame the problems this scene has on instrumentation choices.

Success (as in financial, fame, notirity, etc) is bought these days (or earned on the road after many years). The reason I say on the road is that the Internet, however powerful, will only reach a handful of prospective fans. The actual "GOOD" bands that have found mainstream success (and now I'm speaking totally-genre-neutral) have gotten that success through clever and inexpensive ways of marketting themselves. The only common thread, however, has been that they have played anywhere, anytime...LIVE...because the closer you get to your fan base the better.

Where this doesn't mix well with Synthpop is a matter of a lot of heated debate about pure logistics. This isn't the most "PORTABLE" or for that matter "PERFORMABLE" music in the sense that creates an interested following. The potential is always there to find a way, but, as I said: There's a lot of stuff to figure out and those who find the pot of gold will have travelled the entire rainbow by foot doing so. Fair enough, I don't doubt some will.

That's WHY guitar bands thrive and make it to the mainstream.... they're highly bar-stage friendly and there's a lot of precedence for how to pull off EXTENSIVE TOURING... Electronica has yet to find as many forumalae for doing the same.

That's also why things such as Electroclash work out for people. It's more about the stage show or even some sort of created novelty. That draws quite a few more people. If a certain act is "fashionable" people will listen to it because of that. I'm sorry but the "HIP FACTOR" is part of the game.

I just spent the entire weekend with my wife at a Dave Matthews Band concert. Actually 3 of them. They are a travelling economy booster. We spent over a thousand dollars for this past weekend and it went in dozens of people's pockets. They filled, to capacity, every night, a BEAUTIFUL (the Gorge Amphitheatre) venue.

Are they talented? VERY. Actually I'm sorry but there isn't a comparable musician anywhere in our scene compared to any of the SIX I saw on stage this weekend.

Can Dave Matthews write music? YES, and his Lyrics are damn clever as well.

Are they just normal guys that happen to make it? Uh, yeah. Very normal. What happened? They busted their ass playing every venue they could and their fanbase kept growing. They had people taping their shows, eventually they had a cult following, eventually a record company wanted to buy that following, and NOW they have carte blanche in the studio and immense financial success.

Now.... is there talent in this scene capable of this sort of success? Yes. Plenty. The 6 people in Dave Matthews Band are as good as they are as musicians because they PLAY A LOT. Plain and simple, they are seasoned performers and can jam like no one's business. They are master craftsmen as well as strong artists.

Success in line with the terms that an Underground musician would want it (based on their TALENT) only has some version of the same route to take to "Make it".

Dave

[~cliffwalk]

Oh yeah, and by the way, everything I said up above is ALWAYS just possible...

Another possibility is that you bust your hump for 10-15 years, ARE GOOD/GREAT, and still get passed by.

Pursuing music as a career is as predictable as a career in gambling.

Dave

[~intervox]

I've never had the pleasure of meeting or talking with Mark, but I'm a great fan of his music. I wish you all the best in life and want you to know, you'll never be forgotten.

Jeff
intervox (http://www.mp3.com/intervox)

[~cosmicity]

Hey, thanks Jeff... and everyone again. You guys are awesome. But remember, I am still -so totaly- not gone 'til next August. On the contrary, I'm in full-on Synthpop mode, composing a new album and more, until then. So no farewells, please! :-)

mark nicholas
info@cosmicity.com
http://www.cosmicity.com

[~Mike Gjennestad]

but Mark we are trying too find a way to convince you to stay around. although you don't plan on doning any new material, will you still do mixes etc for other bands of thier music?

gjennmike

[~cosmicity]

Hmm. It's really hard to say that I will do remixes and stuff. At least, not at first. The whole reason for this decision is to focus all of my energy on writing for a while. But after I've accomplished a few things in that department, I might be able to bring music back into the fold on a small scale. So, the short answer is maybe. We'll see next year. :-)

mark nicholas
info@cosmicity.com
http://www.cosmicity.com

[~intro]

I would be upset... but I'm more interested in getting your girl to remix my stuff. She rocks. I can't quit listening to the Ginger Snapp remixes I've got. Very nice stuff. So you can quit if you want to, but keep the gear around for her to tinker with.

Oh, and you're good too :)

-Mark likes to mess with ya, hehe
www.djintrovert.com

[~pop]

hey mark, i think cosmicity's greatest hit remix album is due. if you plan to take a break. go take a break with a big bang. i would like to remix one of your song. please, let me know. i am really good at totally changing how originally sounds. i would love to redo "your beautiful lie."

[~cosmicity]

Oh, don't you worry Mark. DJ Ginger Snapp isn't gonna stop remixin'. Oh no. If anything, she'll be doing a lot more than usual in the next year (with Cosmicity and on other stuff).

As for a Cosmicity best-of remix album... well, maybe. We'll have to see. Maybe remixes could be on a second CD, 'cause I think a regular best-of release is inevitable. Probably in 2004, because then it'll be 10 years of Cosmicity and we'll have that excuse for the release. I mean, we can't really put out a greatest hits CD without any chart hits, can we? But a 10-year celebration, well, that sounds legit. :-) Anyway, 2004 isn't that far away, so we'll see what happens then. For now, I've gotta stay focused on making this NEW album!

mark nicholas
info@cosmicity.com
http://www.cosmicity.com

[~spi]

And thats where we want you to be until we have the album in our grubby paws. Don't twitch a finger doing anything else. :)

Really looking forward to the new album, plus I have a lot of the back catalog to pick up. Lucky me I guess.
-steve

[~jetjaguar15]

Exactly. Make the final album the best ever, Mark. Then put togeather a huge 3 disc Best-of for the 10th anniversary in 2004, and sell boatloads of it.

spi, what Cosmicity albums do you have? I would suggest if you haven't heard much of the earlier stuff, you get the "In Perspective" CD. It has a great overview of the early cosmicity material.