BurningWycke BIO-
I record as a one-man group called BurningWycke, a vehicle through which I write the material and play all of the instruments.
I also have invested in some recording equipment and have built my own studio, Renaissance AudioArts, which is flexible and nimble enough to be at its third address in 12 years. Is the sound quality as good as the most deluxe studio in New York or Nashville? No, it is not. Is it of high enough quality to highlight the music produced in it? Absolutely- and as technology advances, the gap between the home studio and the "Big Boys" narrows further. My studio fits in a 12â X 12â space in my basement. A very small "footprint" indeed!
Additionally, by sharing audio files over the internet I can collaborate globally. I have worked with artists from all over the world with no one needing to leave home. Again, a very "green" way of working.
In 2008, I formed my own Label, to release my material to the wider world. My overhead is very low, so I can afford not to give my work away. If I gave my album away and six months later I release another one for ten or fifteen dollars- people are going to be confused. The price iTunes charges for my album ($9.99) is set by them, not me. Now it has a set 'value'. People will have to decide for themselves if it is worth it.
My music is way off the beaten path and I harbor no illusions about being a 'rock star'. The fact that I do sell enough albums to make it worthwhile tells me I do not have to panic and start giving things away.
The reason I haven't gotten into merchandising is because I haven't gotten floods of e-mail asking 'hey dude, when are you going to start selling t-shirts and stuff?' I am not spending money I have yet to earn for products people are not asking for. They do ask for new music, however, and I am happy to provide it- through proper (in a business sense) channels at a fair and equitable price.
Mark Cundiff
BurningWycke