Music Minute: Marko Polo - Mammal Music

 

Kindie rock artist Marko Polo will release his debut solo album, Mammal Music, on Monday, March 21. The lead single “Heart Muscle,” which he released in February, has already received extensive radio play. 

Marko, AKA Mark Pagano, is also the longtime frontman of the band FIRE DOG, and received grant support from the Regional Arts Commission. During the pandemic, he teamed up with Grammy award-winning producer Dean Jones to try something neither of them had done before – produce an entire album remotely.

 “I had a really great time working on this record,” said Jones, who’s based in upstate New York. “The sounds and sonic choices were really fun to create. Working remotely through the pandemic had its challenges, but it gave us space to create a thoughtful ecosystem for the songs to live, using a lot of fun and unique instrumentation.” 

Mammal Music’s ten warm-blooded tracks range in style and influence with hints of Jonathan Richman, The Beatles, and The Muppets coming through. 

Themes on the album touch on the role humans play in a world with a myriad of creatures - a planet with, as one song proclaims, “So Many Animals.” The more contemplative track “Big Brains” brings this into focus as it speaks to the ways that humans can transcend their differences to adapt, change, grow, and ultimately evolve. 

“I’m just a human mammal with a big brain trying to find the courage, compassion, and kindness to become a better steward to the Earth,” Marko says, “and music is the best way I know how to do that.”  

In a past review The Riverfront Times called Marko, “one of the city’s most tireless purveyors of positivity.” Mammal Music shows that his music is primed for new audiences far and wide. Marko’s big-hearted delivery, fun-loving attitude, and clever songwriting shine bright on this debut solo release made for “mammals all over the world!”

About Marko Polo 

Mark Pagano is a singer/songwriter, kids musician, teaching artist, guitar instructor, and father living in St. Louis, MO. As the primary songwriter for his rock and roll band FIRE DOG, Marko’s tunes have been featured on JUMP radio, Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl, Playtime Playlist, Electric Kids Music, and Zooglobble More Weird Review. 

 

He performs regularly at PBS’s Public Media Commons, Missouri History Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, as well as libraries and schools across the region. His groovy rock and roll guitar, catchy hooks, and intriguing subject matter connect with multi-generational audiences wherever he may find them

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FIRE DOG's mission is to spread positive vibrations through songs of truth and intrigue, to create a sound full of energy and optimism for the 21st Century, and to make the people DANCE.

www.seefiredogroll.com