R.T. - How long has The Bliss Machine been together?
M.H. - Since autumn 2001.
R.T. - Who are the other musicians in the group?
M.H. - Aside from myself on guitars, Tom Furgas is the other player on keyboards and synthesizer. We are a duo for the most part. The Bliss Machine did a live performance last year as a trio with Swedish guitarist Dr. Lars Brondum and an old friend from a previous band, Tom Delliquadri on keyboards and synthesizer. Unfortunately Tom wasn't able to play that evening.
R.T. How often do you play live?
M.H. - Well, due to the nature of the music, our venues are limited. Also, Tom and I are particular about where we play so as a result we don't perform as often as we could. The standout gig last year was sharing the bill with drummer Donny Yallech who does a tremendous solo drum performance utilizing the standard drum kit with electronic drums, triggers and samples...sounds like a full band.
R.T. - What are your musical influences?
M.H. - The obvious influence behind The Bliss Machine is Fripp and Eno. Tom and I use different digital delay units to help us get that loopy Frippertronics sound. I think their influence stops there. I often solo among the soundscapes that Tom works up and my influences on solo guitar range from Middle Eastern melodies to prog fusion. Tom has roots in classical music and is into Avant-Garde, free improv, John Cage, Ligeti...stuff like that. He has a very unique approach to music, unlike anyone I've ever worked with.
R.T. Which brings us to the next question. How long have you been playing?
M.H. - I guess I could say I started playing the guitar in 1969 when I was twelve. I'm self taught which has been kinda tough in some situations. Ocasionally I'm called on to do some funky jazzy stuff in my current band "Geo C & Tha' Storm" but I do it the best I can in my own style. The calls keep coming anyway...
R.T. - How did The Bliss Machine start.
M.H. With a key. (laughs) Actually, I met Tom through the cassette network of the 1980's. I read a review of one of his solo cassette recordings in OP magazine long ago and saw he lived in the next town and wrote to him. We traded lots of original music via postal service before we actually met in the late 80's. We have alot in common musically and we collaborated on two major projects. The first was a C-60 cassette done in the 80's and the other was a more elaborate project titled "Ten Doors Open" which I've put out on compact disc.
R.T. - Is it available?
M.H. - Yes. In fact I hope to put together a comprehensive list of CDs featuring "Ten Doors Open", Bliss Machine and some of my solo stuff.
R.T. - That would be great. How does one order the CDs?
M.H. - I'm having a website put together, www.Kx4Music.com , and it should be launched this year. In the meantime I can be reached by email, Kx4Music@att.net
Left to Right : Tom Delliquadri, Mark Hanley & Lars Brondum
