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Prog Acoustic Guitarist Mark Vickness, with his musical collective MVI releases instrumental LP ‘In The Rain Shadow’

By Kath Galasso on December 6, 2023

Progressive Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso Mark Vickness recently announced his dynamic new instrumental album released with his musical collective, MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected). “In The Rain Shadow” is an inspired concept album with lush, multi-layered instrumentation and powerful themes inspired by the natural world.

“Most of the music on In The Rain Shadow takes its inspiration from moving to the high desert (California’s Owens Valley) in late 2020. We live literally in the rain shadow, which is a meteorological term meaning on the sheltered side of a mountain range where there is less precipitation because of the wind patterns. Most of the titles on this recording are taken from geological or meteorological features we experience daily. These compositions are intended to reflect a new appreciation for the opportunity to absorb the wonders of living in the rain shadow. It is humbling, awesome, peaceful, thrilling, tranquil and beautiful.”

With each contributing musician in this 7-member collective being a virtuoso in their own right, “In The Rain Shadow” covers a vast expanse of subgenres and awe-inspiring moments. Genre-wise, this album has it all. Fans of everything from jazz and classical to progressive rock and beyond will find a new favorite in this exciting fusion. MVI itself is intended to represent the oneness connecting all human beings. This over-arching vision pervades the music, with each sound complimenting the others like a mosaic or musical mandala.

“MVI is intended to reflect musically the idea that we are all part of one incredibly diverse human family. As a composer, this is my dream ensemble. Each musician is an accomplished soloist adept at many different types of music. They all bring an astounding breadth and depth of musical understanding and experience. There is almost no style of music we cannot draw from. We have a classical trio (violin, cello, oboe), a jazz quartet, percussion instruments from almost every continent and virtuoso players capable of playing pretty much anything I put in front of them from funk to raga style improvisation, from interwoven counterpoint to rock power chords, from a fast Irish 12/8 romp to an ambient textural tapestry and more – they do it all with ease and with an infectious energy that is palpable on every track. I could not be more grateful to be able to work with these remarkable musicians!”

Accompanying the new album release is a series of HD live videos. These performances allow viewers to get the full experience and immerse themselves in one of progressive music’s most promising projects. Mark Vickness was also honored with his inclusion in Robert Cassard‘s ‘Best Guitarist Composer You’ve Never Heard” Youtube video.

Watch the latest video for “On The Cliffs of Mohr”.
Watch the live video for the album’s title track.
Watch the live video for an album highlight, “Roadrunner”.

Musician Names/Instruments: Mark Vickness/guitar; Mads Tolling/violin; Matt Renzi/winds; Joseph Hebert/cello; Dan Feiszli/bass; Ty Burhoe/tabla; MB Gordy/percussion

Producer Name(s): Mark Vickness, Dan Feiszli

Tracklist: High Desert, The Gorge, Alluvial Fans, Stillness (for Will), Roadrunner, Rupak (for Ty), Cloud Shadows, On the Cliffs of Mohr, In The Rain Shadow

Online:
Websites: www.markvickness.com
Official Website: www.markvickness.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mark.vickness/
Instagram: mvi_interconnected
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/094PvzNzomQEPJFeFb6JNx
Apple iTunes
Youtube Channel: @markvickness3641

Artist Biography:

Mark began his musical training on piano at age six. The road from there to the composer/modern fingerstyle guitarist he is today included a bachelor’s and master’s degree in composition, studies in classical piano, guitar, sitar and tabla, years as a performing jazz guitarist, composer and arranger, several film and dance scores and decades of recording and performing as the instrumental half of the acoustic fusion duo, Glass House. Mark’s performing experience spans a huge range of genres from free improv to West African drum and dance ensembles, from Motown and funk bands to big band jazz and orchestral conducting. Schooled in composition by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Mel Powell, Mark has recorded and performed with world renowned musicians including two time Grammy winners, The Turtle Island String Quartet, legendary bassist, Michael Manring, and guitarists Alex DiGrassi and Don Ross.