Mario Strack
Born in 1956 in Graz, Austria, Mario Strack is a musician who plays the keyboard and creates “lyrical electro rock”, a musical fusion that crosses genres and eras. He performed with various bands in the 70’s and showcased his musical skills as a composer and producer for his own band, Luna Set, and other artists in the 80’s, collaborating with both indie and major labels.
He pursued his artistic vision independently in the early 90’s and established “universal arts” with his wife, Jacqueline Ditt, a painter. “Universal arts” is an art market concept that combines a gallery, a print edition, a record label and a production studio.
Mario Strack also experimented with visual arts, making audiovisual clips with electronic media. His distinctive style is called “Illustrated Music”, which blends “lyrical electro rock” music and moving images to offer a multisensual experience. He lives and works as a free artist in Munich, Germany.
Who is the person behind the artist Mario Strack and what's his story?
Boringly linear without biographical breaks. Leaving school as soon as possible to play in the band. Progressive rock ambitions and grassroots democratic community band life of the 70's. New wave during the 80's. End of the strenuous collaboration with other musicians, instead independence of a solo career since the early 90's. There have been two magic words in my life - "synthesizer" and "computer".
Your release, “The Dance”, sounds timeless. Do you remember what inspired you to create it?
Thank you for the term “timeless” – I like it. The song is from 1995, kind of an oldie. I bought a used legendary 80's "De Grafe Silver" video computer with a graphics tablet, drew a woman, drew a man for her, they were thrown out of paradise (the apple thing) - so what else could they do but dance..
How do you choose the sounds that match the emotion you want to convey whenever you are working on a song?
The most important task of the sound is to transport a line within the composition. So it is not an individual but has to be integrated into a whole. When it comes to sound design, the unit of measure is how it affects me.
How do you balance your roles as a composer, performer, and producer of “lyrical electro rock”? Do you have a preference for one of them?
In contrast to the old approach, first composer, then performer, then producer, everything has now merged into an integrated process. The transitions between the tasks are fluid.
Do you have any plans to perform live on stage soon?
Not at all. I am now an autistic recording artist of the purest kind.
If you could pick a special location for a gig, where would you like to play?
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a nice place, but I don't play.
What are some of the things that matter most to you besides music?
First of all my wife and her art, she's a painter. A peaceful and loving interaction with nature, with other creatures. The struggle between civilization and barbarism.
And finally, what can we expect from Mario Strack in the future?
Nothing fancy. Keep making music and see the adventure continue. After my seventh album there will be an eighth if nothing prevents me.
