A one-time biology major at Texas A&M (who originally planned on becoming a vet), Austin, Texas based singer/songwriter Mark DiLillo (a.k.a. Welsh Avenue) spent nine years of his childhood as a dedicated student of the piano. Two years into a hiatus from the instrument, his then college roommate introduced him to Ableton music software.
Everything changed. His musical purpose appeared, and there has been no looking back. That serendipitous sequence of events happened on Welsh Avenue. As DiLillo describes in his own words, “I really thought the sound of the street really matched the feel of my music, so I made it my moniker as an artist.”
True to the indie music movement, his influences are as varied as they are many, and include the likes of: Twin Shadow, Toro Y Moi, Passion Pit, The Beach Boys, and Michael Jackson. His debut project, The Great Exchange EP, is light and unique. What’s more, it’s packed with DiLillo’s intention to leave the world better off than it was when he arrived.
“The EP is essentially about a change of mindset, from negative to positive, from unproductive to productive, from mediocre to excellent. It is a message that I think my generation needs.”
—Mark DiLillo of Welsh Avenue
Here’s what we dug most…
Piano, percussion, synth and vocals create a melody that is catchy, simple and memorable in, Germ Theory. The opening track is somehow both poignant and innocent, as DiLillo expresses the ironies attached with the human species’ obsession with gaining dominion over one another…
“A man dwelling in a cave
Another says, how shall you behave?
A man with spears comes after you
He says, I won’t do a thing
‘Cause I know… …what’s good for you”
Blue Eyes joins lo-fi sounding keys with layers of vocal harmony. The track is so … utterly … harmless; a delightful bundle of chords that belongs on the soundtrack of Little Miss Sunshine or the like.
Our Favorite Track:
A consciousness-inspiring, techno-infused, synth-ride, The Great Exchange, reminded me immediately of 2005’s Lift Me Up by electro-veteran, Moby.
As a whole, Welsh Avenue’s debut effort, The Great Exchange EP, has a sweet, endearing quality that comes through, musically, lyrically, and in its production. The four songs are delightfully minimalist, and generally good for your health. We hope we’ve not heard the last of DiLillo.
Whose lovechild…?
Capital Cities jams with Moby…
BELOW, you can listen to Welsh Avenue’s, The Great Exchange EP, and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Welsh Avenue by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
Listen to Welsh Avenue’s, The Great Exchange EP:
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