by Amelia Moore aka Ameliaismore, entertainment/lifestyle journalist

Well none of that could be farther from the truth when you have a chance to meet actor, singer, songwriter (or as I would like to call him; consummate person) Chris Marsol.
Bronze Magazine caught up with Chris to find out who this relatively new face is and to hear his new EP project, In These Uncertain Times. The first thing you notice about Chris when he speaks to you is how quietly spoken yet loud with conviction his voice and his presence is. Maybe it’s because for the last few years especially while writing the songs for his album In These Uncertain Times he was not only on a journey to find himself, but to also find his voice and his sound. Or maybe the recent transformations in his life like the loss of his father and his team (that was paving the way for his professional career) created an open path, a new walkway that forced him to find himself, his voice and his sound. I think Chris explained it best when he told me, “During those times I was finding out more of who I wasn’t than who I really was; so when I started to find out who I was I had a starting point because I already knew who I didn’t want to be.”


As a music lover I don’t like putting music into categorical boxes but if I had to put In These Uncertain Times in a box I would define it as alternative rock with a twist of pop and soul. You can hear Chris’ influences such as Prince (Raspberry Beret era), Stevie Wonder (lyrically) Nirvana and Radiohead (esthetically and vocally). As a writer, the one word I would definitely associate with his project is original. Just like the person. That conclusion is not only based on his music but also his relationship with his music; its so organic. I asked Chris to define or tell me the meaning of some of his songs. He respectfully declined. He told me that he doesn’t like to define his music or direct his listeners to a specific meaning for any of his songs. Instead he’d rather his listeners define his music for themselves. He explained that when his listeners make a connection based on their own experience instead of his, they feel his music the same way he does; personally. Maybe that is why his fans and listeners get emotionally attached to his music; because whatever they are feeling comes from within them. Now that’s original!
Our conversation continued for about another half hour. As I began to tell him songs from the project that I enjoyed such as Sparrow Survive (which I felt was a song dedicated to his journey to find himself) and Rise Up (his anthem because every super hero needs theme music) I began to understand and actually experience his theory on why he doesn’t explain his music. As I closed the conversation I asked Chris two last questions. The first question had to do with what it takes most to “make it” in the industry. Is it moxie, talent, artistic range, relentless hustle or the ever so elusive X factor? Ironically Chris felt the two most important things he needs and focuses on is talent and the X factor. He said that whatever art form he is expressing whether it’s acting or music he goes “all in.” He doesn’t think about what he is doing, instead he allows himself to be vulnerable to whatever or wherever that moment takes him. He allows it all to come from his innermost self, his soul. He went on to say that with his art he likes to take chances. He likes to express his masculinity with vulnerability and to defy all of the present standards and stereotypes to ultimately depict a sense of originality within conformity. WOW! As if that wasn’t enough to give you insight on this rising star my final question was, of the many lessons you have learned, what do you feel you should share with others to help them grow and move forward in their careers? His reply was simple, soft spoken yet loud with conviction. He said, “ Let your inspiration come from life not art. Know that no matter what you are going thru in life you can get thru it. Most importantly understand that even though you may feel like are alone you are not. There are tons of people everyday that are going thru the same thing you are. Maybe with different circumstances but the struggle is the same. So because of that know that you are never alone and that you are not the only one.”
I guess that is why I told him Rise Up is his anthem Even though Chris Marsol’s new EP is entitled In These Uncertain Times there is no uncertainty with his future. Although he knows he can’t change the world it’s clear to see his aspiration is to impact the world and to leave a legacy that continues to inspire long after he’s gone. You can catch Chris performing live in the Bay Area and across the world soon. He plans on releasing a full album in 2014. As for acting, he is waiting for October 18th which will be the debut of his first feature film I’m In Love with a Church Girl starring JaRule and Stephen Baldwin (just to name a few from the cast). You can get a copy of Chris’ new EP everywhere including his website: www.chrismarsol.com. Be sure to like him on facebook and follow him on twitter to be certain what he’s doing… In These Uncertain Times
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