Just imagine how many times A kid has to see their parents fight.

It’ll drive em crazy

Marcus von Rittberg was born in Spain and grew up in Germany where he began studying piano at a young age. His passion for composition and production brought him to the US where he earned his degree in 'Music Production & Audio Engineering' at the 'Institute of Production & Recording' in Minneapolis. 
​
In 2007 Marcus moved to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. He got heavily involved in teaching piano and music classes in the local community, focusing on those families, schools and kindergartens that struggled to allocate funds for the arts. Most of his engineering clients were local hip-hop artists. In 2009, Marcus self-released the concept albums 'Lyrical Pieces', 'A Night Out' and 'Revolution of Love' under the pseudonym 'Master of Con?usion', leading to various licensing opportunities.
 
During the following years he started performing in NYC while continuously writing and recording new material. In 2015 Marcus released 'Growing Younger', his latest self-produced release and first album using his given name. Shortly after, he relocated to Los Angeles where he continues to perform, compose, produce, engineer and teach.
 
As a singer-songwriter, Marcus draws from many genres. His melodic and harmonic progressions reveal Marcus’ love for jazz, Latin and classical music. The rhythmical elements in his productions expose Marcus’ passion for electronic and hip-hop music. He casually weaves together diverse musical elements, bringing forth a very eclectic yet catchy style of music. As a producer, Marcus paints from a wide palette of acoustic and electronic sounds that complement his heartfelt love songs, observant narratives and satirical social commentaries.

I go through life, write about it, learn through it and share so others can do the same.

BilBoBurke > Barefoot Claire & Billy Z Duke > The Return of The Tongue > NAKED > Your Mother > Most Peculiar Mama > The Çhicàgø Máñüal ôf ST¥LE > The Wrong Windows -- NJ > UK > NJ > NYC > LA > SF > NJ > LA

Inquiries/beats/collaborations: TheElemenoPea@gmail.com




Matt Sertich - Vocals, Guitar, Piano                                                   
Kirk Janowiak - Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Backing Vocals

The Generals were deployed in the summer of 2005 by longtime Sacramento CA music vets Matt Sertich (vocals, guitars, piano) and Kirk Janowiak (drums, programming, keyboards, backing vocals). Following the disbandment of the musicians’ former endeavor, Zero to Heaven, The Generals were born in Janowiak’s kitchen as a studio project purposed to re-imagine and re institute the sound—a climactic, soaring hybrid of modern programming and classic rock riffs—that Sertich and Janowiak had been slowly, somewhat unconsciously evolving throughout their 19 some odd years of collaboration.

     The result, a guerrilla-style series of early recordings that employed a synthesizer, a laptop, recorded keyboard and temporary drum tracks, was prolific, and it eventually led to a five-song demo entitled “Trains”. The Generals felt another member was needed in order to perform live so they recruited the bass playing skills of Blane Barker. With Blane in place, The Generals recorded and released their first official album, “Save Me” in 2007, proclaiming to critics and fans alike the band’s ability to deftly maneuver sprawling, emotion-packed ballads with a three-part compass magnetized by tightly wrought percussion and defiant, iron-clad vocals. After several years spent performing throughout Sacramento and along the West Coast, Blane parted ways with The Generals. The Generals wasted no time and soldiered on as a 2 piece once again. Only this time around they had felt they didn't need a bass player at this point in the game. The Generals then proceeded to record their second  CD, a self-titled full legth album recorded with Joe Johnston (Deftones, Cake). 
        The Generals have been a featured artist at www.myspace.com and boasted an average of 2,000 plays and 200 downloads per day, have won Battle Of The Bands competitions.  The Generals have also shared the stage with bands such as Modern English, Smashmouth, Five For Fighting, Everclear, An Angle, Scissors For Lefty, Joe Lally (Fugazi), The Secret Handshake, Armed Forces Radio, The Storytellers, Rona, The Black Moon Ritual, Dusty Brown, Doom Bird, Sea Of Bees, Debora Iyall (Romeo Void), Nice Guy Eddie, Deer Park Avenue, and many others.
    Enter the year 2012 The Generals found themselves back in the studio once more finishing up their 3rd and most highly anticipated CD yet entitled ‘Keep Your Light On’ with Joe Johnston engineering once again.  All mixed and mastered, ‘Keep Your Light On’ promises to deliver all the heart felt lyrics, catchy hooks and rich epic melodies (and then some) that embodied The Generals first 2 releases.  Though no release date has yet been set.  The Generals hope to perhaps appeal to a worthy established record label to set one for them.  
     Though comprised of only two members, The Generals have altered the game, delivering a live show that lays it all on the line and commands as much attention as a five-piece ensemble. This is not music for the injured and the defeated, but ammunition for those who believe in the beauty of second chances.
    Review
“The Generals deftly blend organic rock elements with synth flavors for a bright, new sound.” - A&R Select   

Mathew James is following