SA Music & Entertainment magazine chat to The Fismits

SA Music & Entertainment magazine chat to The Fismits – Some songs travel a long road before reaching their destination. For The Fismits, the new single ‘Scars‘ represents a moment where past and present meet in a meaningful way. Written in the mid 1990s during the creative partnership between Mark Biagio and Bruce Barrett, the song has now been recorded in its definitive form and released as the first single from the upcoming EP ‘Falling Joy‘.

The release also marks another step forward for The Fismits, an independent South African indie alternative rock project that has steadily developed its own voice over the years. We spoke with Mark Biagio about the origins of ‘Scars‘, the evolution of his music, and what listeners can expect as the story of ‘Falling Joy‘ unfolds.

Q: For readers who may be discovering The Fismits for the first time through the single ‘Scars’, how would you describe the project and the musical journey that led to this release?

A: The project really unfolded over time. ‘Scars’ was, or is, a staple of The Fismits set. Originally done by my old band in the 1990s, The Mind Theatre, written by Bruce. We recorded it, but I was never happy with it. I kept at it, trying different things until eventually, going into 2024, it all started making sense and the song sprung to life. I then started thinking about how to release it. The EP idea of combining a few of Bruce’s songs that I thought still needed to be heard sounded like a good idea.

Q: ‘Scars’ was originally written many years ago during your collaboration with Bruce Barrett. What do you remember most clearly about the period when that song first came into existence?

A: I don’t remember the exact when or how. If I recall it was probably around 1995/96. All I know is, when I played that guitar line, I was stoked. Although I play it now quite differently to the original, the emotion is still the same.

Q: When revisiting an older song, there can be a temptation to recreate the past exactly as it was. Instead, this recording feels very current. How did you approach updating the song while still respecting its original spirit?

A: Look, I think the words and progression do most of the work. The fact that I struggled to be happy with the song was the fact that I was doing Bruce’s version. When I released myself from those chains, and added myself in there, it became real and original. So, although almost a cover, I had to own some of the song and not worry about ‘what would Bruce say?’

Q: The single arrives as the first introduction to the EP ‘Falling Joy’. Why did ‘Scars’ feel like the right song to open the story of the project?

A: I thought I would introduce the EP with another track that was more ‘fismitsy’. I thought ‘Scars’ would be a step too far from ‘Halen’. Popular opinion when previewing the tracks was that ‘Scars’ was the opener. Funny story, back in the 1990s The Mind Theatre were on some indie compilation for a magazine (GTFO), and they asked us to submit a track. We submitted a song called ‘Liar’ but left a few other tracks on the cassette. The magazine came back and said to us, thanks, but can we rather use ‘Scars’. I guess it’s a unique song, memorable too.

Q: Over the years The Fismits has built a catalogue that includes the EP ‘Anywhere’, the album ‘Before the Hindsight’, and the single ‘Halen’. How does ‘Scars’ fit within that broader musical timeline?

A: ‘Anywhere’ contains a Bruce song, ‘Before the Hindsight’ contains a Bruce song, ‘Halen’ was a cover of Live Jimi Presley. So, perhaps I’m not that original!

Q: The themes around ‘Falling Joy’ seem to involve reflection, memory and the passage of time. Did revisiting these older songs change the way you think about your earlier writing?

A: I honestly was not that big a contribution in the writing back in the day. Arrangements, parts and production, that was my thing. Leave the rest to Bruce. Completing the project reinforced the fact that I still love these tracks as much now as I did then. It reinforced that they are great songs and that I was not wrong back in the day.

Q: You handle much of the production work yourself at Dirty Badger Music. How does that level of creative control shape the sound and identity of The Fismits?

A: It completely does. The Fismits has evolved into a Mark solo project. I don’t want it to be, it was not the plan, but it has. So, I go where I go until I get there. Luckily, I have a few people who I send the tracks to and get their opinion. Also, time does change things and listening to a song for some time, or leaving it for some time, gives new perspective. When you hit your head against a brick wall, stop and move on to something else. In a band or collaborative situation, the energy, excitement, tension and personalities in the room lead the song creation process. This does not happen where you are by yourself.

Q: The upcoming singles ‘Independence’ and ‘When’ will follow ‘Scars’. In what ways do those tracks reveal different sides of the EP?

A: They do. ‘Independence’ is pushing The Fismits sound to a new level but has a big throwback element. ‘When’ is more ‘out the box Fismits’ but turned up to 11. That’s as much as I want to say.

Q: The title ‘Falling Joy’ is an interesting phrase. What inspired the name and how does it reflect the emotional character of the EP?

A: Great phrase. It’s a line from another Bruce song. On one hand, it gave me great joy to play these songs back then with Bruce and be able to do this today and bring this release. We had numerous debates back in the day about our band name The Mind Theatre. Eventually we changed our name to Falling Joy. I think it lasted one gig and we broke up! I wanted a name that was close to the sound of the project and had direct ties to Bruce and myself. ‘Falling Joy’ made sense.

Q: As an independent artist working outside of major label structures, what has kept you motivated to continue writing and releasing music over such a long period?

A: If I don’t do this, I’ll die. Emotionally. I’m not lucky, privileged, possibly not brave enough, or any other reason one can come up with to do this as a day job. But I still have the urge to create, and for that reason I still do this.

Q: Looking ahead to the full EP release, what do you hope listeners will feel when they experience ‘Falling Joy’ as a complete collection of songs?

A: It’s very difficult for me to hope for anything or, for that matter, worry about how they feel. Music is very personal and I have no idea how another person will react to the EP and its songs. It would be great if they do connect with it on whatever level and it becomes part of their favourites, even for a period. These songs come from vulnerability, they are personal, they bear emotion and I hope people feel that, lyrically or sonically or both. But it’s in their hands or ears.

With the release of ‘Scars’, Mark Biagio offers the first glimpse into the world of ‘Falling Joy’, an EP that reconnects music written decades ago with the perspective of the present day. As the driving force behind The Fismits, Biagio continues to develop a body of work defined by independence, thoughtful songwriting and a deep respect for the creative partnerships that shaped his musical past. With additional singles on the horizon and the EP approaching, ‘Scars’ stands as both a beginning and a continuation of a story that has been quietly unfolding for many years.

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