Legendary Los Angeles native bass player Marco Mendoza has announced a UK tour for in the spring. The highly acclaimed international touring player has a proud Spanish/Mexican heritage and has usually been found in the past holding down the bass rock foundation with household name artists in Neal Schon and Journey, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent and The Dead Daisies as well as contemporary artists like Delores O’Riordan of The Cranberries.
We at Pete’s Rock News and Views are so grateful to Marco for taking the time out in his obviously busy schedule, to answer a few of our questions
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
MM: I consider myself as someone that is trying to be as creative as possible and spontaneous to create a party atmosphere at every show while still performing the music as best as possible.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
MM: I was born in San Diego, California but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico in a home full of music & musicians. Grandma was a piano teacher, that inspired me and guided me to want to follow music at an early age. The rest is history.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
MM: People, places & things inspire me. I always like to focus on my own experiences and write about life situations. Emotional, psychological & spiritual. That way it’s real to me.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
MM: To connect with people in a deep & spiritual way as much as possible. To keep growing as a musician & finding new ways to connect to the world.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
MM: That’s a long answer to a simple question, too many highlights! Best explained in my latest book “SHOWTIME” available at MarcoMendoza.com.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
MM: I revert to playing live, that’s my focus.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
MM: Simply put, I have made a lot of contacts over the years. Promoters, agents etc…and I have a team of people helping me around the clock. Couldn’t do it without all the help. Thank you to all of them!
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
MM: It’s inevitable, no way around it. But if you’re smart you can use it to spread your music and book shows.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
MM: Let it Be. It’s all about acceptance & learning how to deal with life on life terms.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
MM: The music industry is surrounded by people that are not ethical & are in it for the wrong reasons. We could do much better without them.
PD: So what are you working on at the moment?
MM: Preparing for the 2022 Spring / Summer / Winter tours. The release of the new album & supporting that as much as possible. I’m in the UK in April returning to some great venues and can’t wait!
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
MM: MarcoMendoza.com all links are listed on my website.
