Mark is a singer-songwriter, guitar player, and storyteller based in Portland, Oregon. Tegio has been playing music since childhood when his Dad bought him his first guitar in a small shop in Southern California.
Listen in here to the new LP, Marie:
Thematically, the songwriter’s focus is razor sharp, with his intuitive lyricism intertwining with the overarching themes of the track. The prominent vocals that are laced throughout bring a sense of vibrancy and life into the song which sets the tone for the upcoming release.
Though he played guitar and fronted some bands in high school, his music took a backseat for the meantime while working towards his college degree. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 2017, with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, he threw himself into “the drudgery of the 9-5 work week.” Feeling unfulfilled and uninspired, he left that world, solely devoting himself to his music. Living a transient life in a van, playing music had wholly pervaded his being. His first tour with “Smith and Tegio” (a duo formed with his longtime friend Austin Smith) cemented his reverence for the road. Since then, Tegio has been able to scrape together a living as a solo musician, touring musician, and guitarist in multiple country bands in Portland.
Tegio’s songs include tales of wanderers and outcasts, dreamers and revelers, lovers and losers; all of whom he has been at one time or another. Originally from San Diego himself, Tegio found fellow native Tom Waits to be an early influence. Waits’ fantastical songs of seedy, sordid characters, accompanied by his raspy, guttural voice, inspired Tegio’s writing and singing. When Tegio was introduced to Texas songwriters such as Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley, he was quick to adapt some of his favorite aspects of their writing into his own developing style. Townes’ dark, poetic imagery, especially of natural beauty, paired with his lonesome yet hopeful songs, combined with the levity Foley frequently used in songs and Waits’ depictive storytelling, unite to create the holy union of barroom poetry that is Mark Tegio’s sound.
We caught up with Mark for an exclusive interview, below!
What can you share with readers about your latest release “Marie”?
”Marie” is my first solo release and I dedicated it to my grandmother, Marie, who really inspired me to pursue art. She was an amazing painter and actually posthumously contributed to the cover of the album. I used to paint with her when I was younger, but never really progressed from those early paintings. I found my artistic calling in music instead. Before she passed away I would play guitar and sing songs for her and it was something that she really enjoyed, even in her failing health. In dealing with her loss I wrote “Marie”, which is from the perspective of my Grandpa. Even though it’s hard to lose someone so special, I think it’s hardest to see how that loss affects those still here.
The album wasn’t intended to be a concept album by any means. But if I had to really dissect it and find the common thread between songs, I would say that it’s impermanence. I think with “Drop Top” and “Marie” that comes through fairly obviously. With “Siren Song” it’s the impermanence of oneself and losing that self to relationships or whatever other vices one may have. With “Darlin’ Don’t You” it’s the impermanence of romantic relationships. I guess “Drunkard’s Jeans” would be the impermanence of… brain cells if you drink the way I do. That ones really an outlier I guess.
How does this project compare with your other projects you had in the
Past?
Well, this is my first solo project. I have an album out with another band “Smith and Tegio” that I formed with my long time friend Austin Smith. We were a few years younger when we put it out. The thing about doing an album in a band setting is that you tend to bounce ideas off of each other. By virtue of that there’s inevitably going to be a mix of each other’s influence on the final project. With “Marie,” it was kind of just up to me to make all the final decisions, for better or worse.
What about this project makes you most proud?
For one, just that I did it. It’s a challenge to be an independent artist. There’s a lot of moving parts that all have to come together releasing an album. It’s definitely a lot to take on as a single individual. Beyond that, I’m pretty happy with the finished result.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
Royalty checks. Just kidding. No, I didn’t really have a goal in mind other than to just share my music and maybe make a nice homage for my grandma. I guess also, to get my first release out. I plan to release a lot more music in the future and getting this first release out is a big first step in what I hope to be a long career.
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
I think songwriting started as a form of catharsis for me. Writing what would be hard for me to express otherwise; angsty teenager stuff. Writing is still a cathartic process for me but not in the same way. I think I try to write songs that others can connect to as well. Finding that balance of a song that I can connect to personally that someone else also relates to, maybe in a completely different way, that’s the sweet spot for me. I think finding those songs, and the feeling you get when others really connect to those songs, it’s a special thing that can’t really be replicated in any other aspect of life that I’ve found.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Probably Townes Van Zandt. I really just love his songs and he seemed like such a unique individual and songwriter. I’d love to just be in his head space for a little.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I think the last song I intentionally put on and listened to was “Drifters Wife” by JJ Cale. Favorite artists are probably Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley. Those are my consistent go-tos and a well of inspiration for me. I’ve always said my desert island album is Dark Side of the Moon though and I still stand by it.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
Best place to find me and stay connected is probably instagram, I tend to be on there way more than I’d like to be.
