July 10th, 2012 
Brian Leak 
Mike Marsh may be known for his work with The Agency and Dashboard Confessional, but now he’s taken time from sitting back on the kit and come to the face of the stage with his new project, Paper.
Marsh took time to talk to UTG about his new album Sunbeam, his influences and some important things he’s been hard at work with. Read through to get caught up with Mike Marsh and Paper in this exclusive interview!
What made you decide to start this project?
What made me start Paper was the necessity to learn how to write my own songs all alone. I had less access to my friends and their guitar talent so I dove into piano. I had lyrics and melodies saved in my phone that I felt needed to be recorded properly. I would send them to my friends like Craig Schlesinger who plays bass in Paper both on record and live. He’d always reply with an uplifting comment like “duuuuude!!!”. That was enough for me.
What can fans expect from Sunbeam?
Fans can expect something different from me with Sunbeam. The record is eclectic stylistically and sonically. From its angular side, Sunbeam packs a punch with songs like “Turn Your Radio Off” and “Regard” which covers more of my progressive syncopated side. Another face of Sunbeam is dynamic, soft and for lack of a better term, sensitive with songs like “Counting Sheep” and “Golden”. Lyrically it’s a very positive record (for the most part) touching on hope and less being more in almost all cases for me and of course the ever popular topic… love.
How does Paper differ from your Dashboard Confessional and The Agency?
Paper is different from DC and The Agency in that first and foremost… I wrote everything, so it’s all me all the time. It’s everything that I wanted to say in those moments. I got to talk for a minute or 46. Also, Paper is stylistically very different from all the projects I’ve had in the past. See question #1. When Paper plays live there’s a very obvious difference… I’m not playing drums. I’m playing keyboard and I’m center stage. Weird!
What are your touring plans looking like for the near future?
As for touring, I have no plans. I’m still trying to put a band together. The band I have now consists of Ed Toth who plays drums for The Doobie Brothers and Chris Loocke who plays guitar for Josh Gracin. It’s tough to plan anything right now with your main dudes out on the road with their day jobs. Gotta pay bills, son!
How would you describe Paper’s first show?
Paper’s first show was fun but in retrospect a bit of a train wreck. I had blown out my voice due to a week of grueling rehearsals. Some of the musicians I used were a bad fit as well. We had fun but if I could do it over again I would’ve sang a lot less in practice and really shopped harder for the right guys for the project.
How would you say the name Paper applies to your music?
The name Paper came from years of using giant pieces of brown paper to write lyrics on which I got from the custom picture framing store I worked at back in the early 90’s when I was writing and playing with The Agency. I’d write my lyrics huge on the huge paper and stand back to read them as to visualize them. Weird, I know but it really helped me along. I didn’t play anything but drums up until 6 or so years ago. I’d need some to help me put my songs together before that. They’d bring their guitars and I’d bring my Paper.
Are you still working with your other projects?
As for my other projects, I play with DC now and then. Chris [Carrabba] is talking about making a new record. Klaus Ketelhohn who played guitars on Sunbeam and Chris Drueke both from The Agency are my best friends. We’ve been talking about making some noise. Who knows?
What can you tell us about your work with the National Lung Cancer Partnership?
The National Lung Cancer Partenership and I teamed up to push a song I wrote called “Speak of Love” written as a Christmas gift for my grandmother. She is battling Lung cancer and is doing really well. They are a small non-for-profit organization that promised to put all proceeds from my song into research. The song is on iTunes under Mike Marsh “Speak of Love”. Please support this very important cause.
You have a lot of classic rock influence in your music. Who are some of the most important to your writing?
My most important influences for Paper are Peter Gabriel, Genesis, The Police. Really 80’s heavy. I’ve always been into Led Zeppelin as well. Which I feel is pretty obvious in tracks like “Shine” with it’s bombastic drum intro.
What do you hope listeners will get from your lyrics?
Lyrically Paper is very hopeful, so I hope people get that from it. There’s hope! The title track “Sunbeam” is about not needing an excess of everything. A little bit of what you are searching for is enough. Try it!
What’s your most ambitious goal for Paper?
My original ambition for Paper was vinyl. My most ambitious goal for Paper is opening for Peter Gabriel. Some dreams do come true.
Written and conducted by: Brian Lion
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