ANTHONY MOLINA had a vision from early on. "I wrote Ronald Reagan a letter about being an astronaut. I got a response from NASA, and the fact that they wrote back just blew my mind." There was something about the stars then, and the sky, and just the possibility. Perhaps that somebody was listening. A very first call and response.
Of course a boy's initial dreams of space often shift, but given Molina's personal and professional arc, the analogy is more than relevant. Over the years he has proven a near celestial figure in music- defined by vital collaborations (Mercury Rev, Simrit Kaur) and spacious yearnings as a musician, producer, engineer and DJ. There isn't one clear-cut cloth to the artistry of Anthony Molina. Though he often wears white suits.
Molina's musical journey began, literally, in a church. "My dad was a pastor," he explained. "It was very much this spiritual connection." It was a bi-lingual Spanish and English church with a Pentecostal feel. There was a Hammond B3 and a gospel choir. From the age of seven, Molina took up the alto saxophone for the band, while his brother Jason played the trumpet- a musical collaboration that would alternate roles over the years, but continues vibrantly to the present day. "I don't mean to sound pretentious," added Molina (because he truly never is) but I felt like I was playing for a higher purpose, and that very quickly became the purpose of being a musician." Apologizing for the bombastic nature of the statement that would come next, Molina speaks his truth. "It was sort of like this," he said. "I grew up playing for God."
The saxophone evolved. "I remember my mother playing this cassette tape with a drum machine on it. It really kind of flipped my mind." The switch was electric, and it opened up a distinct mindset of production. "I started collecting Casio one octave keyboards," said Molina. "With the saxophone, I was starting out with melodies. The earliest Casio's were monophonic- you could only play one note at a time. Which was cool because I had a limitation there."
Being self-taught, Molina's curiosity brought with it a new language. "I was under the impression I was inventing chords," he said with a laugh. String arrangements developed in Anthony's mind. Self taught on the keyboards until sixteen, Molina went on to start a serious study of classical piano with two of it's most accomplished teachers Pilar Leyva and husband Jorge Zorro-Sanchez. Soon, a slew of instruments had been mastered- saxophone, piano, synthesizer. At age 14, for his first ever gig, Molina's band opened for a metal band. For the simple fact that the band was missing one, Molina took up the bass.
Soon after, Molina's high school music teacher in Rochester invited him to sit in on saxophone with his own band the next day. Rehearsing in the school, Molina found himself on stage with Dave Fridmann, (Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, MGMT) who was playing bass. Molina hit it off with Fridmann, and sent him a demo of his band. Fridmann called back. A few years later, Fridmann would produce Molina's band in his studio. And a few years after that, Fridmann would ask Molina to audition for Mercury Rev- the legendary outfit that has become recognized worldwide for their brand of cinematic, avant-garde space rock. Starting out on synthesizers for a world tour, Molina was asked to join the band in a more official capacity soon after. "It's very cosmic," said Molina about the Rev. "It is more of an esoteric brand of music that makes me more inquisitive."
Based in the Catskills, the association with Mercury Rev brought Molina to Kingston in 2001 following the band's world tour. Molina's collaboration with the band has never ceased. "It opened me up more," said Molina. "It helped round me to expand what my definition of music is."
Ever since his first Casio at age nine, Molina has been assembling recording equipment. His first session took place at the age of twelve. Collaborating with his brother Jason on drums, Anthony began his experimentation. "I accidentally plugged the headphones into the microphone jack of our stereo and hit record. I was able to record sound through the headphones. That was cool for awhile and then I wanted to add more."
The stereo system evolved into a four track and then an eight track. "I was just so grateful I could record sounds," said Molina. His curiosity (and abilities) have never ceased, Molina's recording studio in Kingston, opened formally three years ago. A self professed gear head, Molina is a lover of vintage gear as well as modern technology. His recording studio has evolved into a hybrid of the two- a balancing act between old school soul and futuristic sonic opportunities. It also recalls the sanctuary of days past. "Growing up in church, particularly gospel churches, there was always this room that was upstairs for anybody who had a special prayer or needed to meditate in isolation. It was called the Upper Room. Typically, my studio has always been in an attic. I love the celestial feel of it."
As engineer and producer, Molina welcomes a wide range of artists into his recording sanctuary. As he has led many through their own creative process, Molina has learned more about his own. "I prefer to make something with an artist who has something to say," he said.
A burgeoning interest in sound healing and Kundalini Yoga has brought Molina to explore the vast implications of the gong. The gong is said to contain all the sounds of the Universe, able to clear the subconscious. Molina's interest was immediate. "There is something other worldly going on with it. I gravitate towards it. No two gongs sound the same, no two players sound the same. It just seemed like the most logical step, after playing in a cosmic rock band."
And so, Anthony Molina presents more than a touch of renaissance. Each passion fuels the next. He wears his musician's hat as a producer, and his producer's hat as a DJ- which has gone on to help his sense of time and build an expansive repertoire in his mind. With DJ residencies in New York City, and performances in Amsterdam, Auckland, Copenhagen, LA and Madrid, Molina brings a soulful mix- what typically evolves into Latin rhythms mixed with soul singers, and often, house music. He is known for telling a lengthy story over the course of his set with the collection of lyrics. "If you're good at reading the crowd, you can take them on a journey," said Molina. "You're transported." Clearly, the transport and the journey are themes Anthony Molina knows well. "But I don't like to stick to one particular style," he added with a devious smile. Big surprise.
by DB Leonard
