“In the Rain Shadow” | An Exciting Intersection of Musical Genres by MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected)

Imagine dipping your toes into the waters of your favorite music genres and suddenly, your senses are stirred by the harmonious dance of vast musical landscapes coming together. That’s the magic that Mark Vickness and his musical collective, MVI (Mark Vickness Interconnected), embody in their latest instrumental album, the awe-striking, “In The Rain Shadow.”

Vickness, a progressive acoustic guitar virtuoso, wears many hats— music enthusiast, composer, jazz guitarist, and now, a trailblazer for a unique genre-blending orchestra that plucks the strings of jazz, classical, progressive rock, contemporary instrumental, world music, and more. Drawing inspiration from nature’s grandeur, “In The Rain Shadow” paints vivid aural pictures filled with lush, layered instrumentation and powerful recurring themes.

The 7-member collective is a melting pot of diverse styles and backgrounds. They represent a global musical journey that connects East and West, narrated through an array of multiple genres. The vital vision? To musically manifest the oneness connecting all of humanity, aiming to create a harmony that touches every heart, like a musical mandala.

Standing out among the crowd is never easy. Yet, Vickness and his ensemble managed to tune into the extraordinary, and the critics couldn’t help but sing their praises. from Bob Mulvey’s comparison of MVI to the “wonderful blend of West meets East” to Jon Gomm’s depiction of the collection as a unique “special sauce” that could resonate with earth’s entire population.

Perhaps the most profound testimonials come from industry legends such as Michael Manring, the renowned bassist who praises Vickness as a “visionary musician,” and Acoustic Double-Neck maestro, Ian Ethan Case, admiring his “graceful delivery” and clear intent. Even fingerstyle pioneer, Trevor Gordon Hall, could not resist applauding MVI’s expansive and inviting sonic world.

The masterful orchestration of “In the Rain Shadow” is no mere fluke. The artists involved have been developing and refining their own sounds over several years, creating a fusion that smoothly marries their independent styles into a harmonious whole. The album houses a classical trio, jazz quartet, and an array of percussion instruments that blend rhythm and melody from an abundance of cultures and genres with skillful nonchalance. Vickness rejoices that there is “almost no style of music we cannot draw from.”

Alongside the album’s debut, MVI whets our appetite with a series of high-definition live videos, giving us a glimpse into their entrancing performances. Vickness’ talent also acknowledged by Robert Cassard on Youtube as the ‘Best Guitarist Composer You’ve Never Heard’ is made more obvious throughout this visual experience.

“In The Rain Shadow” isn’t just a collection of sounds and beats. It is an immersive journey into the hearts of artists who revel in the diverse beauty of our collective human experiences. Guided by Mark Vickness, this masterful ensemble of musicians manages to stitch together a stunning tapestry of rhythmic patterns and melodies with love, passion, and a deep-seated sense of interconnectedness.

Experience Mark Vickness Interconnected’s captivating music. Find full streams and live performances on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. Dive deeper into his journey on the official website and connect with the MVI community on Facebook and Instagram.

Infused with the serene tranquility and awe-inspiring beauty of life in California’s high desert Owens Valley where Vickness resides, “In The Rain Shadow” is a living, breathing testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and create unity. MVI invites us all to explore and revel in this unique sonic world – a symphony of interconnectedness and oneness.