Marcus Rezak is a Chicago-based recording artist, touring musician, and session guitarist, best known for his collaborations with members of Umphrey’s McGee, The Motet, Dopapod, RAQ, Primus, Circles Around The Sun, and more. On November 9th, Rezak will release his debut solo album, Gateway To The Galaxy, which features special guests Bill Evans (Rolling Stones/Miles Davis), Arthur Barrow (Frank Zappa), Kris Myers, and Joel Cummins (Umphrey’s McGee). Bill Chrysler, the owner of 3rd Coast Recording Co. where the new album was cut, is the monitor engineer for both Dead & Company and John Mayer’s other musical endeavors.
Marcus Rezak has found a way to constantly keep his live touring schedule fresh, with active involvement in a handful of projects over the last ten years. Rezak first rose to fame in the jam scene as the lead guitarist and original member of Chicago-based electronic super-group Digital Tape Machine with Umphrey’s McGee’s Joel Cummins and Kris Myers. Digital Tape Machine released two albums in 2011 entitled Be Here Now and Face Behind The Face, and the band rose to new heights playing some of the country’s largest music festivals including Electric Forest, Summer Camp Music Festival, North Coast, All Good Festival, and Wisconsin’s Summer Set to name a few.
Marcus is currently working on a new Colorado-based project dubbed Katharsis, which is led by Dave Watts ( The Motet) and features Todd Stoops (RAQ, Electric Beethoven) and Chuck Jones (Dopapod) performing funk-rooted psychedelic jams full of improvisation. He also leads a fan-favorite tribute to the Grateful Dead titled Shred Is Dead, which finds Rezak reinventing the Dead’s classic songs alongside Todd Stoops, Jay Lane (Primus, RatDog) and Mark Levy (Circles Around The Sun).
With this enviable resume, Rezak’s forthcoming Gateway To The Galaxy marks the first time that the guitarist has truly stepped out into the spotlight on his own. Already, it seems that the stars are aligning for this new record given its all-star supporting band and serendipitous connections with legendary rock bands. Interestingly, the same lathe-cutting machine that cut Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at Capitol Records was used to cut the lacquers for Gateway To The Galaxy. A vinyl pre-order for Gateway To The Galaxy is underway here before the album is officially released on November 9th.
In anticipation of his debut solo album’s release, Live For Live Music is proud to premiere Marcus Rezak’s first single, “Fortitude” off his forthcoming album, Gateway To The Galaxy. The raw, rock-drenched song has an edgier side, with Rezak blending touches of hard-rock and metal with his smooth and comforting vocals. Chock full of deeprooted personal expression, the track was inspired Rezak’s younger years, growing up through adversity and learning the notion of self-worth through the guitar and music.
Regarding his new single, “Fortitude”, Marcus Rezak explained,
“Fortitude” off ‘Gateway To The Galaxy’ is a mind-melting journey into one’s soul and exploring the universal potential within ourselves to create. This track represents the epic struggles, glory, and realness of what we all encounter in day-to-day life. This is expressed through the ferocious riff rock, razor sharp (yet tasteful) shredding, resonant vocal expression, and meaty rhythmic rocks tumbling down. You can feel the turmoil and the release through the sonic peaks and valleys. The final outcome of this song should make you feel inspired to keep your head and give your talents to the world.
You can listen to Live For Live Music’s premiere of “Fortitude” below. For more information on the album, head to Marcus Rezak’s website here.
Marcus Rezak – “Fortitude”
Marcus Rezak has some live shows planned for the fall, including Rob Compa’s Birthday Hang on October 12th at Cervantes’ in Denver and two shows with Shred Is Dead on October 27th in Santa Monica, CA, and November 24th at Chicago, IL’s Tonic Room. Rezak will also serve as a special guest with Eminence Ensemble on October 31st and November 1st at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas—both shows act as afterparties for Phish‘s highly anticipated Halloween run.