Location: Blue Island, Illinois, U.S.A.
Member since: March 3, 2010
Tracks in portfolio on MusicRevolution.com: 109 (click here to hear all tracks) http://www.musicrevolution.com/search?artist=90
–Background—
In 2000, Vincent and composer partner Kathyjo Varco formed the music production house Big Sound Music and released a collection of compositions, ranging from quirky lullaby’s through truly-funky street rhythms, all the way to earnest and quite moving orchestral themes.
Vince Varco initially scored several campaigns for political guru David Axelrod, and then broke into broadcast television with compositions for Speed Channel, Discovery and The History Channel. His knowledge of music, at its core, shows through in his sensibilities when writing for any genre and has a way of tapping in with precision. Rooted in classical music, Vince has proven his skills as a well-rounded composer in the music field. He’s best known around Chicago for his hard-hitting delivery with Rock and Reggae bands and earned a Chicago Musicians Award for “Best Keyboardist” by the Illinois Entertainer.
Composer/songwriter Kathyjo combines her many musical influences, ranging from Pink Floyd to Billy Holiday, along with a life time of performance to create broad palettes of music for Big Sound Music. Her compositions have been featured on the Discovery Channel and CMT to name a few, and her clever jingle writing has left quite a few of us unwittingly humming along. An innovative songwriter, Kathyjo’s firm grasp of nearly every musical style gives any track that ‘instant recognition’ factor lacking in so many brands today.
The following are Vince Varco’s responses to our interview questions—
–High profile projects or clients you have worked for?
I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies like P&G, Cisco, Disney, and General Motors as well as some high profile political campaigns like Patrick Kennedy, and Richard Daley. Ad agencies, marketing agencies, independent film companies as well as touring and recording with many bands across the spectrum including some well-knowns like reggae artist Ziggy Marley.
–Primary instrument?
Piano, Organ, Keyboards
–Favorite music-making piece of gear or software you currently use?
VSL- Will wonders never cease!
–Piece of gear or software you wish you owned?
Dangerous Music 2-Buss
–Film score or song you admire? Why?
The list is long but generally of a unique and lasting nature. I admire any production that either pushes the boundary, makes an indelible mark, or gives the listener something to hold on to.
–Music education background?
I was privately educated from age 7-18 in Classical and Jazz piano, sight-reading, harmony, and composition. I spent a further 4 years in college studying composition, electronic music, and social sciences. The rest I learned by just being curious and paying attention.
–Memorable “Aha!” moment during your musical education?
When I realized while practicing at age 8 that for me it would be better to be the one putting the notes on the page than to be the one playing them.
–Most embarrassing music-related moment?
I once opened a show with a 5 min solo piano improvisation and upon the applause was supposed to make my way back to the keyboard rig which involved a minefield of monitors, dancers, other musicians, etc. Being as this was unrehearsed I found I was so blinded by the solo spotlight that when the stage went dark I stumbled and bumbled my way to great effect back to my next mark. Quite a noisy journey, and very embarrassing!
–If you had a time machine and could record or perform once with any artist, who would it be?
Beethoven
–Moment you first knew you would be a musician?
At my very first piano lesson when my teacher played and I was so thrilled by the sound I knew that for me there was nothing else.
–Advice you would give to a younger family member interested in a music career?
Beat that interest right out of them and see if they are still game….ultimately that is what it will take to keep getting up and keeping on in the music business. You need to be willing to sacrifice your whole life with no guarantee of success and also a success that is constantly fleeting and need constant attention to maintain.
–Five songs or albums you’d take with you to a desert island?
Beethoven’s complete symphonies (Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Solti)
To be honest, I rarely listen to other music anymore as when I am not working on my own music I need to let the brain and ears cool. This is part of the love-hate relationship that is fostered by a musical career. I would probably just enjoy the quiet and the music of nature.
–If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
Drums
–Favorite time of day to work in your studio?
12pm-10pm
–Any studio collaboration you experienced that stands out in your mind?
Assisting composer Bill Russo on a Stan Kenton Redux at Capital Records. In spite of the big budget, the accolades of even being asked to do such a thing, the great recording space and musicians, Mr. Bill canned the whole project much to the producer’s chagrin because the session players, although the best, were too ‘straight’ and couldn’t get the right ‘feel’ to do the music justice. As Bill said, “What is the point of recreating something that is less than what already has been recorded.” Very valuable lessons there.
–Some of your favorite tracks that you would want us to feature in the blog.
“Noctis Vigiliam” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=53294
“Triumphatori” http://www.musicrevolution.com/search/?trackid=53293
–Which of your tracks sell well?
I have tracks in many genres. For filmmakers, my scoring does well and as do my techno bombs. For DIY Youtubers, the more cliched seems to do well. There is no telling.
We thank Vince Varco of Big Sound Music for sharing some of his musical background with us and for contributing BSM’s tracks to MusicRevolution.com, the Royalty-Free Music Marketplace. Big Sound Music delivers distinctive content-specific music. The BSM Collection is a complete resource for clean, lush, instrumental music production of the highest quality. Big Sound Music collection embodies many genres and is made possible by ongoing collaborations with some of the best instrumental talent in Chicago.
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Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 32,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications. Cardell has been involved with digital content and E-Commerce since the mid-1990’s.
