Josh Esan Photo
Jessica Rose and Mark Lyon.
Mark Lyon (aka Marq The A$tronaut) loves to joke around as much as he loves to make music. Referring to his newest single with vocalist Jessica Rose, called “Bliss,” he initially said it was written about a cat.
“I wanted it to be an R&B or funky song,” said Lyon via FaceTime. “I was with J.R., and so I start making this track, starting on bass, and she really liked the bass line. She has two cats, and she started writing the song about her male cat, Bug.”
Rose, also present for the interview in the background, started laughing and said the song was written with Lyon in mind, not Bug.
“She denies it’s about the cat now, so it turned out to not be about the cat,” said Lyon with a smile.
“Bliss”, out today, is three minutes and thirty-three seconds of soulfully layered vibes both rhythmic and romantic, super chill yet smoking hot, the perfect song to turn on and tune into when you’re spending time locked down and in with someone you love.
Lyon began working on the song in his home studio in the fall of 2021, playing all of the instruments and mixing it as well.
“I played this keyboard, finger drums on that touch pad, guitar, and bass,” said Lyon as he pointed out the equipment set up in his home. “I recorded her,” meaning Jessica Rose, “here on this $50 mic, and I mixed it.”
Jessica Rose.
Rose wrote the lyrics. When I asked if they were partners, Lyon’s answer garnered laughter from her once again.
“It’s more mysterious if you say she has a crush on me,” he said. “That sounds cooler.”
There’s no mystery to Lyon’s method of mixing, which he notes is an ongoing “learning process.”
“When I mix something, I don’t know what I’m doing,” he said. “I’m learning. ‘Satanic Girls’ ” — a single Lyon released almost exactly a year ago — “was different. This time it was all forward movement.”
The song was mastered by Dave Legenhausen, Lyon’s “buddy” who he played with in the band Xenosis. He also helped Lyon with his mixing process.
“I mixed it to my liking,” said Lyon. “I do it by ear. I showed it to Dave, and he pushed me to get better.”
“With ‘Satanic Girls’ the music took about two hours, but the mixing process took the longest,” Lyon continued. “With this song the lyrics came up quickly. We had the song mostly done in one day.”
This is the couple’s first song together, and they’re only getting warmed up. They’ve already begun working on a dance track that Lyon said they will probably release in April, noting that it’s “totally different from this one.”
There is also a metal track in the works. For that song, “I feel like I need a different project name,” Lyon said. “I’m open to suggestions.”
Brianna Marcosano Photo
Lyon performing with Phat A$tronaut
Lyon was the one who came up with the name Phat A$tronaut, the popular New Haven-based band in which Lyon plays guitar. Phat A$tronaut has a gig on Feb. 2 at the Space Ballroom opening for Lucky Chops. The band played gigs throughout 2021 and also has an abundance of new music to share
“We have quite a bit of stuff recorded, some is even mixed and mastered, but we don’t know the best way to release it. Anderson .Paak has a new label called Apeshit Records and we would be perfect for that. Send that out into the universe.”
Rose will be recording with her Newington based band Virus of Ideals this year. Videos may also be in the couple’s future, but according to Lyon, that won’t be happening for “Bliss.”
“Maybe for the dance track,” said Rose.
“If we are, she’s paying for it,” added Lyon. “I’m a musician in a pandemic. I got no money.” Rose responded with more laughter.
And speaking of the pandemic, Lyon mused about the past two years and its effect on him personally and professionally.
“At this point, like everybody, it fucked me up a bit,” he said. “I still have dreams of touring the world. I feel like I used to be so in touch. The perception of time has changed so much.”
In addition to “Satanic Girls,” the proceeds from which benefitted The State House, Lyon released a few other singles over the past two years, including two more for causes: “Unfinished,” the proceeds from which went to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and “Oneness,” which went to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Lyon has also continued teaching during these times — up to six days a week currently, mainly in person and sometimes remotely using his home setup that he says has worked out “really well.” But he hopes his own music also has an impact.
“I want the music to reach more people,” he said. “Whether I make any money off it or not, I want people to hear it. The internet makes it like you have more reach but it’s all oversaturated. People don’t know what to listen to.”
“I love creating music. I also love supporting creativity. I’m down to be part of things as long as the vibe works organically. I’m always down,” he continued. He noted Phat A$tronaut’s collaboration with Ceschi (who he called “so versatile and so sincere”) for two live shows in 2021 and his work with Criss B. Amazing (who he called “incredible”) and so many others on “Satanic Girls.” He also mentioned a recently departed friend and idol as someone whose presence in his life was sorely missed.
“I don’t know if this sounds corny, but I wish Rohn Lawrence could hear it,” said Lyon of “Bliss.” “I was first introduced to him at 12 years old, and I’ve been a fan forever. I used to see him every Monday night. I looked up to him as this amazing guitar player my entire life. He was super nice to me and always honest.”
Lyon said Lawrence had reached out to him when “Satanic Girls” came out last year. “When he compliments, it means something. Plus he was hilarious too.”
Lyon hopes to continue his own musical journey with both humor and grace, and he hopes “Bliss” hits the right notes with those who take the time to listen.
“This is an R&B track,” he said. “It’s more personal to me, but I just want people to enjoy it.”
Rose also hopes people will get the message, about Lyon and so much more. “I found something special,” she said. “Lyrically, I want people to know: don’t give up.”
Marq the A$tronaut’s “Bliss” is available on Bandcamp.