Marcus Rubio: Trinity Alum Turned Experimenting Musician

Marcus Rubio (More Eaze) before performing
Photos by Johnna Guillerman

By Johnna Guillerman

As Marcus Rubio, 28, sets up his computer, a small crowd gathers around to watch. This Trinity alumni, who graduated in 2012, is getting ready to play a set he designed specifically for tonight’s performance.

The show is taking place in Austin, Texas at a bar called Beerland. Though dark and tucked away, it is filled with character. The stage is backgrounded in pink tones, and Elvis Presley busts line the walls.

Before Rubio’s turn, several other artists play sets of music in a genre that some people might not have even heard of--harsh noise. The name gives away the essence of the music, but Beerland is open to new and experimental performers.

When Marcus, better known as his stage name, More Eaze, takes his place at the front, poet Thax Douglas, who has toured with bands like Wilco, introduces him with a poem written on the spot. “A vintage whine squeaks along the top of the glass harmonica like the white hot thin dawn of hope." The poem is a perfect introduction for More Eaze’s music.

The set is nostalgic, yet exciting and effervescent. Samples from Yoshi and Moby might seem out of place in other genres of music, but in tonight’s set, they only add to a feeling of harmonized abstraction.

"More Eaze has the ability to capture even the most basic listener with his integration of hyper-electronic elements as well as acoustic," said Dane Rousay, a friend and collaborator.

Abstract and experimental music are not the most well-known genres, but they have dedicated followings. Rubio originally explored this music in-depth at Trinity University. When he was a student, he majored in music composition, which has one of the highest credit hour requirements.

Looking back at his time at Trinity, Marcus laughed and said, “Trinity gave me a very rigorous music education.” At one point, he didn’t know if he would graduate with his intended major. Despite the challenges the school brought, Marcus says it was formative to the musician he is now.

Professors like Jack Stamps, a visiting assistant music professor who has since left, pushed him to explore the boundaries of what he could produce. “He is 100% the reason I make music and do what I do today.”

After being inspired by professors and friends at Trinity, Marcus moved on to graduate school at California Institute of the Arts (better known as Cal-Arts), in Valencia, California. The school allowed him to explore music more seriously in an environment that was open-minded to different kinds of music.

Marcus’s time in California was productive for him as a composer and a performer. Towards the end of his study, he was privately teaching classes, performing a couple of times a month, and getting commissioned to write pieces for different concerts.

When he moved back to Texas, Marcus taught music privately for about three years. While it was a job that related closely to his degrees, he found the lifestyle difficult. He decided to find a “real” job. “Not having music be the only thing in my life has made me so much more relaxed,” he said.

Rubio currently does clerical works at a law firm. He heard about the job from playing violin in an attorney’s band. Coincidentally, the attorney is also a Trinity alumni.

Working at the law firm being his day job, Rubio never stopped making music. Being back in Austin has allowed him to further develop as an artist. The small musical communities provide support for musicians who have day jobs. Though abstract music isn’t the most well-known, he embraces the community because there is no ulterior motive to become famous.

Rubio performing at Beerland in Austin

“No one is doing it with the intent of becoming successful,” says Rubio. “I think to a lot of people on the outside, it can seem pretentious. But the people making it don’t have an elitist attitude. You’re doing it because you’re earnestly interested in it.”

Right now, Rubio has a relaxed view of his music. “I’m very into the idea of making every set different. It’s encouraged me to write a lot of different material.”

Playing a lesser known genre and being a composer can bring its challenges. Despite these, More Eaze plans to continue making music and playing shows in the niched musical communities that inhabit Austin.