All Local, All The Time

Niwot music scene expands with new music school

Growing up in Skåne, Sweden, Martin Marks and his brother, Mike, loved music. "It can be life-changing or just something that brightens your day but without it, our lives are certainly empty," said Marks.

Together, they started a band and began traveling the world, performing in Stockholm, Los Angeles, Boulder and more. Their music even extended to iconic venues like The Troubadour and reached as high as #2 on the MTV Nordic Top Five.

Eventually, Marks settled in California and ran a music school in Los Angeles. He noted how proud he is of seeing his students develop in both skill and confidence, some of them even creating bands themselves.

When his daughter was born in 2011, Marks and his family moved to Niwot, and now that she's at the age to have her own band, Marks was inspired to start a new school.

"Music can be life-inspiring and learning an instrument self-empowering," said Marks. "Parents tell me their children are putting down their devices for the first time."

As both a Niwot resident and local musician–he's performed around town at the Niwot Market, Niwot Tavern, Pinnochios and more–Marks knew Cottonwood Square was the perfect location for the new school. Working with his wife and daughter, they've put in hours developing both the physical space and the curriculum of the new school: The Niwot Gig.

"The school's teaching philosophy at The Niwot Gig is through learning songs," Marks said. "Over my career, I've worked with a music partner and producer Marshall Thompson and he has committed to offering his service to produce original music recorded at The Niwot Gig."

Opening in February, with a special free trial and special discount, The Niwot Gig will offer private lessons as well as function as a space for bands to practice and learn about the whole creation, recording and performing process. Marks himself will offer guitar, bass, drum and keyboard lessons at the new school. He also hopes to bring in guest teachers who are active performers.

Even though The Niwot Gig's staff is fully vaccinated and will follow COVID-19 protocols while in the physical space, they recognize that some people may not yet be comfortable with in-person and/or group lessons. The Gig's current focus is on one-on-one lessons or small groups and says that they can "offer remote classes seamlessly with a short notice with a combination of pre-recorded materials from Martin's curriculum and live zoom lessons."

"Our goal is to be a thriving school with lots of students performing around Niwot at local events and venues and music being composed and recorded and distributed throughout the community by artists living in our town and nearby."

Marks and his team are excited for The Niwot Gig to be the local, one-stop-shop for budding and seasoned musicians alike. They will have updates available both through the NBA's weekly newsletter and their own website: http://www.theniwotgig.com

 

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