With comparisons ranging from Lenny Kravitz, Res, Prince, Pete Yorn, and Ben Harper, it's readily apparent that Chris Marsol's music genuinely mixes and matches styles. As a proponent of blending and bending genres and bowling down musical stereotypes, the talent is something that comes natural for Chris, and that talent is on full display in the manner in which Marsol crafted his latest release. Chris says, "Honestly I wrote over 200 songs without ever planning an 'album release'," he says, "I would dream some of these songs and wake up in the middle of the night, grab my guitar or piano and start writing. After about 200 songs I had to record them, not to make an album but to get them out of my head so I would not go insane... literally."

This organic approach defines Chris's style and explains the eclectic mix of music found throughout Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades. The new album also marks a new era for Chris, who believes he has finally found his niche, "I think you're getting a real glimpse into a time in my life. Live drums, more confident vocals, and a more simplistic and definitive approach." After countless hours and countless songs, that new approach will be on display October 20th with the release of his new album.

Born in San Francisco, Chris identifies with the historically revolutionary and diverse aspect of his home. Even though he wasn't around during the beginnings of the counterculture movement, the spirit of art, freedom, liberalism, and progressive thinking still illuminates the Bay Area to this day, and Marsol is a product of that environment. "As a child, I didn't distinguish between the many different genres of music I was exposed to. I only distinguished between what I liked and what I didn't like."

At age six Chris was singing in his church choir and stealing the spotlight dancing at family reunions. By age eleven he was locking himself in the bathroom, writing and recording his first songs on an old tape recorder. At age 17 he taught himself how to play the piano, and as the years went by he would pick up a guitar as well, absorbing artists such as Pink Floyd, Cream, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, Genesis, Terence Trent D'Arby, Stone Temple Pilots, D'Angelo, Radiohead, Hall and Oates and Elton John.

Chris's new album is a direct product of his diverse upbringing and wide musical tastes. Butterflies, Lipstick, and Hand Grenades, available October 20 via Clear Label Records.