Mark Anthony K joins Preston Frazier for a Something Else! Sitdown focusing on Projekt Gemineye’s A Brand New Day, the second installment of a song cycle that began with 2017’s An Ordinary Day. The album is available via projektgemineye.com or at Projekt Gemineye’s Bandcamp page.
PRESTON FRAZIER: Mark, you were very busy in 2017 with the release of Projekt Gemineye’s An Ordinary Day. Your latest album, A Brand New Day, just came out. How does the concept differ from An Ordinary Day?
MARK ANTHONY K: Actually the concept is very similar, mainly because this album and An Ordinary Day were meant to be one record. Due to the length of it, I decided to split them into 2 albums – so, lyrically, they go together. Musically, as well, but I found that An Ordinary Day came out a little more progressive sounding and A Brand New Day was a little more guitar heavy. An Ordinary Day is more progressive and keyboard based, whereas A Brand New Day is more guitar driven.
PRESTON FRAZIER: Please dissect the track “Space and Time (Part 1-3).” How did the song develop? What was the lyrical theme at the foundation of the song?
MARK ANTHONY K: “Space and Time” was a song that developed very much into one of the centerpiece songs of the two albums. I knew I wanted to take the listener on a very dreamy, almost cosmic journey. Mainly, because the lyrics were based around a person waking the morning of a major surgery, and [were meant] to show the mental and emotional roller coaster ride one goes through. From preparing mentally in Part 1, to being drugged and put to sleep in Part 2 and slowly returning to consciousness in Part 3.
PRESTON FRAZIER: Musically, “Space and Time (Part 1-3)” stands out, as well.
MARK ANTHONY K: As far as instruments go, this is probably the only song on A Brand New Day that has as much keyboards as the prior album. It really helped create a cosmic feel to the music. I used a sort of mini-Moog keyboard for the lead parts, and my trusty Yamaha EX7 keyboard for the B3 organ and string sounds. I love that keyboard. [Late-’90s member] Igor [Khoroshev] from Yes had one, so I had to get one.
PRESTON FRAZIER: What are your favorite songs on A Brand New Day?
MARK ANTHONY K: Hmmm. Well, I really love the way “Space and Time” turned out, as well as “Clear Your Mind” and “Sell Your Soul.” “Space and Time” is my attempt at a prog epic, although it’s not as long as most. “Clear Your Mind” is a great blend of melodic vocals and harmony guitars. I think that song might be the catchiest. And “Sell Your Soul” has some great guitar playing in it, very Iron Maiden-influenced.
PRESTON FRAZIER: An Ordinary Day was available in a fantastic limited-release vinyl edition. Do you have similar plans for A Brand New Day?
MARK ANTHONY K: As far as a vinyl version of A Brand New Day, it will be released in March of 2018. It will be a limited-edition colored vinyl version, with only 100 copies made. So, when the pre order begins, get one quick. The first album is just about sold out.
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