Desert Island Discs with Marc Scibilia

If you had to go away for awhile and you could only take five of your favorite albums with you, which ones would you choose? Yes, we know it isn’t a fair question, but that hasn’t stopped us from asking music fans who happen to be recording artists in their own right. This edition of Desert Island Discs comes courtesy of singer/songwriter Marc Scibilia, whose self-titled EP is out now. Visit Marc’s site for samples of his music — after reading his Desert Island picks, of course!

Ray Lamontange – Gossip in the Grain

It reminds me that beauty and subtlety are still powerful in a world of Photoshopped bodies and high speed chases. It’s a free trip to the North East whenever I put it on.

Paul Simon – Graceland

The rhythms of that record make me feel invincible. He writes such complex verses and people still sing along. It’s amazing.

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Laryn Hill

I got a sony disc-man and a copy of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill when I was 12. When I put it on, I was coolest guy I knew, until my disc-man ran out of batteries. I didn’t know exactly what she was singing about, but she made me, a middle-class born white boy feel a struggle way beyond my experiences. That’s incredible.

Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks

I know, I know but you gotta having something from Bob. His songs are like food, and if I’m on a desert island, I’m gonna get hungry. Although I could live on pineapple.

The Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty

It’s the first cassette tape I ever bought… THOSE DRUMS!! It’s rebellious. It felt like I was breaking rules every time I pressed play.

Not a bad list, right? Now hear how all those influences came together in Marc’s music. Here’s “How Bad We Need Each Other”: