Aaron Marsh is an American musician and record producer from
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is the most populous city in Polk County, Florida, part of the Tampa Bay Area, located along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau release, the city had a population of 112,641. Lakeland is a principal c ...
. He first gained prominence as the lead singer, guitarist and pianist for the Florida-based
indie rock
Indie rock is a Music subgenre, subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the mu ...
band
Copeland, who formed in 2000. Marsh has since gone on to numerous production projects, co-producing his own band's
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
s usually along with either
Matt Goldman
Matt Goldman (born December 30, 1969) is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixer, and songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Biography
Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States, Goldman is a drummer by trade. Goldman c ...
or
Aaron Sprinkle
Aaron Sprinkle (born March 20, 1974) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer from Seattle, Washington.
Career
His career in music began in high school with a group called BellBangVilla. BellBangVilla became Poor Old Lu and the ...
. Marsh also has worked as a film composer in narrative film, as well as advertising. His credits include the 2013 film ''Worm'', the 2014 film ''A Bottle's Odyssey,'' and the 2018 film ''Shed.''
Marsh produced Anchor and Braille's debut album: ''
Felt
Felt is a textile material that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or animal fur, or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic or acrylonitrile or wood ...
'', which was released on August 4, 2009. Marsh's production was praised by both
AbsolutePunk
''AbsolutePunk'' was a website, online community, and alternative music news source founded by Jason Tate (the most recent CEO). The website mainly focused on artists who are relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, but it was known to fea ...
and ''
Alternative Press
Alternative press may refer to:
Individual publications
* ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine
Alternative journalism
* Alternative media
** Alternative media (U.S. political left)
** Alternative media (U.S. political ri ...
'' in their reviews of the album.
Early life and education
Aaron Marsh was born in
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.
As of the 2020 United States Census, Eu ...
.
When he was a year old, Marsh moved to
Lakeland, FL. Marsh attende
Harrison School for the Artswhere he practiced musical theory and trombone. While there, he formed the band evAngel with bassist and backup singer James Likeness and Thomas Blair on guitar.
In 2001, Marsh attended Florida Southern College where he and Likeness formed the now-named Copeland. Guitarists Bryan Laurenson (who took the place of Blair in 2002), and his brother Stephen (joined in late 2007), along with drummer Jon Bucklew (who took the place of Rusty Fuller, who was replaced after appearing on 2003's rookie full-length, Beneath Medicine Tree).
Music career
2001–2010: Copeland
Aaron Marsh and Bryan Laurenson signed a record deal with the independent label
The Militia Group
The Militia Group is an independent record company based in Long Beach, California.
History
The Militia Group was founded in 1998 by Chad Pearson as a booking agency, booking for artists such as Slick Shoes, Craig's Brother, Dogwood, twothirtye ...
in 2002 and released their first album, ''
Beneath Medicine Tree
''Beneath Medicine Tree'' is the first full-length album from Copeland. ''Beneath Medicine Tree'' features a heavy medical theme. Aaron Marsh admits that the lyrics in this album were inspired by the hospitalization of his girlfriend and the de ...
'', a year later. They would go on to release In Motion (2005), Eat Sleep Repeat (2006), Dressed Up and In Line (2007), You Are My Sunshine (2008).
After the release of their 2008 record, You Are My Sunshine, Marsh announced that the group would be taking an indefinite hiatus. Marsh stated on Copeland's MySpace page "We have come to an extremely difficult decision. It has come time for us to move on from Copeland and follow other paths in our lives. We are absolutely grateful to have been able to make music for as long as we have. In the last 9 years we've been able to see parts of the world that we never dreamt we would see. We have shared the stage and built friendships with immensely talented artists. We've been afforded the opportunity to make 4 records that we're extremely proud of. Most of all, we feel honored that people have cared so much for our band and for our art. We appreciate every listener who has allowed our music to be a part of their lives. We want to offer our deepest thanks to every individual who has supported us on this ride. It has profoundly impacted our lives." They completed their record cycle with a Farewell Tour throughout the beginning of 2010.
2014–current: Copeland
In 2014, the band announced they would be reuniting including a new record deal with
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a Christian rock record label founded by Brandon Ebel in California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington where it is situated today. It is home to many well-known musical acts, including Underoat ...
, along with their 5th full-length album, ''
Ixora
''Ixora'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is the only genus in the tribe Ixoreae. It consists of tropical evergreen trees and shrubs and holds around 544 species. Though native to the tropical and subtropical areas ...
''. Their announcement stated that the record would be recorded and produced by Aaron Marsh at his studio in Lakeland, FL, The Vanguard Room.
The band would go on to release ''Blushing'' in 2019. Blushing is the sixth studio album by American band Copeland. It was released on Valentine's Day 2019 via Tooth & Nail Records. It is the band's follow-up to their 2014 album Ixora, as well as their second album released since their reunion.On the record, Marsh is attribute to lead vocals, backing vocals, piano (all tracks except "It Felt So Real"), synthesizer, programming (all tracks except "Suddenly"), Mellotron ("Suddenly", "Colorless"), guitar ("As Above, So Alone", "Colorless", "Strange Flower"), bass guitar (all tracks except "On Your Worst Day" and "It Felt So Real"), trombone ("Suddenly", "Colorless"), drums ("Night Figures"), percussion ("Suddenly", "Skywriter", "Colorless", "Strange Flower", "Waltz on Water").
Marsh is slated to release his 7th album on September 16, 2022 titled “Revolving Doors”, an orchestral best-of album with ten of Copeland's most popular songs with a full symphony orchestra as the centerpiece. The album was recorded at Blackbird Studios and Oceanway in Nashville, and will be accompanied by a live show on September 17, 2022 at the Caverns in Pelham, TN.
2011: The Lulls in Traffic
In 2011, Marsh began a new project titled The Lulls in Traffic, releasing their first video June 2011. He has defined his role in the band as front-man, and has produced tracks while collaborating with Russian/Los Angeles lyricist and visual artist Ivan Ives.
He calls it his "skewed view" of underground hip-hop.
Their album ''Rabbit in the Snare'', which features guest appearances from
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene (; born October 3, 1975) is an American rapper. He earned recognition early on through his collaboration with fellow Brooklyn rapper Mos Def in 1997, when they formed the group Black Star. Kweli's musical career continued with ...
and
Ceschi
Julio Francisco "Ceschi" Ramos (born July 24, 1981), better known as Ceschi Ramos, or simply as Ceschi (pronounced "chess-key"), is an American hip hop musician based in New Haven, Connecticut. He is a co-founder of Fake Four Inc. He won the Con ...
, is available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms.
2021: GLASWING
In 2021, Marsh began a solo project under the name “Glaswing”. The debut album, ''I'm in the Checkout Line of My Life / Like Water on a Glass Table'' is full of lo-fi electronic soundscapes beneath Aaron Marsh's signature delicate voice and emotional songwriting.
Style and influences
Marsh has attributed much of his early music influence to the local music scene, naming bands like Divine Child (AKA Denison Marrs), Pilots V Aeroplanes, and, yes, Nora's Breakfast Club. He states that
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass) ...
is his favorite band "of all time". Some of his non-indie rock influences that he pulled from for The Lulls in Traffic record were
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. (born October 24, 1973), known professionally as Madlib, is an American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper. He is widely known for his collaborations with MF DOOM (as Madvillain), J Dilla (as Jaylib), ...
, Dilla,
Squarepusher
Tom Jenkinson (born 17 January 1975), known professionally as Squarepusher, is an English electronic musician, record producer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. His music spans several genres including drum and bass, IDM, acid house, ...
and
Aphex Twin
Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), best known as Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born British musician, composer and DJ. He is known for his idiosyncratic work in electronic music, electronic styles such as techno, ambient music, ambient, and jun ...
.
Vocal contributions
Marsh has contributed guest vocals on a variety of songs.
*"Heaven or Hell" on
the Morning Of
The Morning Of is an American pop/indie/rock band originating from Newburgh, New York, United States. The band's first EP, ''Welcome Change. Goodbye Gravity'', held a steady spot in the Top 50 best selling albums on Smartpunk.com for six months. In ...
's album ''
The Way I Fell In
The Morning Of is an American pop/indie/rock band originating from Newburgh, New York, United States. The band's first EP, ''Welcome Change. Goodbye Gravity'', held a steady spot in the Top 50 best selling albums on Smartpunk.com for six months. In ...
''
*"The Right Time" on Denison Marrs' album ''Denison Marrs''
*"Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape" on
Underoath
Underoath (stylized as Underøath or UnderOath) is an American rock band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton on November 30, 1997, in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional memb ...
's album ''
They're Only Chasing Safety
''They're Only Chasing Safety'' is the fourth album by American rock band Underoath. It was released on June 15, 2004, through Solid State Records. Following the release of their third studio effort '' The Changing of Times'' (2002), half of the ...
''
*"Inevitable" on
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American alternative rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band consists of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, an ...
's album ''
Cities
A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
''
*"Empty Bottles" on
Stacy Clark's album ''Apples & Oranges''
*"Hospital" on
Lydia's album ''
Illuminate
Illuminate may refer to:
Music Bands
* Illuminate (2009), a 2009 E.P. by English Progressive Metal band Suns of the Tundra
* Illuminate (band), a German gothic music band
Albums and EPs
* ''Illuminate'' (Joe Morris and Rob Brown album), 1995
...
''
*"Photographs" on
Lakes' ''
Photographs EP''
*"Forget Love, I Just Want You to Make Sense to Me Tonight." on
Anchor & Braille
Anchor & Braille is the recording alias for American singer and songwriter Stephen Christian, known for fronting the alternative rock band Anberlin. Originally conceived as a side project for Christian, Anchor & Braille became his primary vehicl ...
's album ''
Felt
Felt is a textile material that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers together. Felt can be made of natural fibers such as wool or animal fur, or from synthetic fibers such as petroleum-based acrylic or acrylonitrile or wood ...
''
*"Bittersweet Symphony" cover by
Ace Enders and a Million Different People
Arthur Carl "Ace" Enders (born April 19, 1982, in Hammonton, New Jersey) is an American musician. Enders is the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Early November. He is also the lead musician, songwriter and co-producer in his band, I ...
*"The Worst Of Your Wear" on
Fair (band)'s album ''Disappearing World''
*"Let Love Bleed Red" on
Sleeping With Sirens' album ''
With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear''
*"Turn It On" on
the Cinema
The Cinema is an American indie pop band from Tempe, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia. Members of the band include Lydia vocalist, Leighton Antelman, and producer and songwriter, Matt Malpass. The Cinema released its debut album titled ''My Blood I ...
's album ''
Talking In Your Sleep'' (2014)
*"Gold Dust" on
Emarosa's album Versus Reimagined - EP (2015)
*"Cynical" on
Propaganda
Propaganda is communication that is primarily used to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda, which may not be objective and may be selectively presenting facts to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded ...
's album ''
Crooked'' (2017)
Production credits
(P - Producer , E - Engineer , M - Mixing , W - Writing)
*Copeland - ''In Motion'' (P/W)
*The Myriad - ''You Can't Trust A Ladder'' (P)
*Pemberley - ''I'm Fine'' (P/E/M)
*Estates - ''Be Fair'' (P/E/W)
*Woodale - ''Don't Say It Too Late'' (E/M)
*Anchor&Braille - ''Felt'' (P/E/M/W)
*Copeland - ''Eat, Sleep, Repeat'' (P/W)
*Summerbirds In the Cellar - ''Druids'' (E)
*Lydia - ''Illuminate'' (E/W)
*Nikki Kummerow - ''Firecracker'' (P/E/M)
*Person L - ''The Positives'' (P/E)
*Copeland - ''You Are My Sunshine'' (P/E/W)
*Our Family Name - ''Begin At The Beginning'' (P/E)
*Poema - ''Once A Year: A Poema Christmas EP'' (P/E/M)
*Holly Ann - ''Ravens'' (P/E/M)
*Radial - ''Una Dia Extrano'' (P/E/M)
*Andrew Shearin - ''Have Hope, Have Heart EP'' (M)
*Author - ''People Are Alike All Over EP'' (P/E/M)
*Joshua Michael Robinson - ''Intentions'' (P/E/M)
*Fairground - ''Fairground EP"'' (P/E/M)
*Valaska - ''Natural Habitat'' (P/E/M)
*Ivan Ives - ''Stranger'' (P/E/M)
*Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk - ''Over Land and Sea'' (P/E/M)
*SEU Worship - ''From The Vanguard Room'' (P/E/M)
*Anberlin - ''Lowborn'' (P/E)
*This Wild Life - ''Clouded'' (P/E)
*Emarosa - ''Versus Reimagined - EP'' (P)
*Copeland - ''Ixora'' (P/E)
*This Wild Life - ''Low Tides'' (P/E)
*The Tenant - ''Is Listening/Visitors''
*The Lulls In Traffic - ''Rabbit in the Snare''
*Zealyn - ''Limbic System''
*Lydia - ''Run Wild''
*Jenny Dee - ''Dancing From a Distance''
*Speak Low - ''Nearsighted''
*Copeland - ''Blushing''
*Glaswing - ''I'm in the Checkout Line of My Life / Like Water on a Glass Table''
References
External links
Thecopelandsite.com– official band website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marsh, Aaron
American rock singers
American rock musicians
Record producers from Florida
Living people
1975 births
Singers from Orlando, Florida
21st-century American singers