Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Intravaia.
Hi Marc, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a musical household. My dad was a musician as well as an educator. I always loved music, and at seven years old, the Beatles debuted on Ed Sullivan. I knew right then I wanted to make music my career.
I started playing in bands in 1968 and in 1973 turned professional with a local group called Listen. I played in many local clubs here and in L.A. through the ’70s and ’80s.
In 1991, I formed a musical partnership with singer Eve Selis.
We received our first recording contract in 1993 and another in 2004 from a UK label called Proper records. We toured the UK from 2003-2019. We have written and recorded about a dozen CDs and received six San Diego Music Awards.
My current band Back To The Garden has been together 25 years, and we perform concerts locally and also in the Orange County/LA area at performing arts centers and theaters.
Back To The Garden has also been rock and roll Hall of Famer and Buffalo Springfield/Poco founder Richie Furay’s band since 2021 through the end of last year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been mostly smooth. I learned early on that if you’re versatile and open-minded to new opportunities, you’ll always find work in the music business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Back To The Garden has developed a concert series called Story Concerts. We’ve partnered up with Robert John Hughes, former KPRI radio owner, and Robert is our narrator. We pick a theme such as ‘Sounds of Laurel Canyon’, ‘Music of Woodstock’, ‘Crosby Stills Nash and Young’, ‘Monterey Pop Festival’, and ‘ The Beatles’.
Our next show, ‘California Dreaming’, is on Aug. 2nd at the Brookes Theater in Oceanside.
Our March 2026, we’ll perform a show called ‘1965: The Most Revolutionary Year in Music’ at Poway Performing Arts Center.
A few years ago, my wife Paula started Cloud Club Collective. My music partner Jim Soldi and I record music for purposeful daydream videos that help educators, students, and creative professionals relax and focus. She’s collaborated with educators and students in elementary through college throughout the world.
I teach guitar in Sorrento Valley and work as a producer/session guitarist in recording studios in San Diego.
How do you define success?
Success in the music business starts with honing your skills, finding your artistic vision, keeping an open mind to evolution (the music business and musical styles don’t stand still), which leads to income as a performer, writer, studio musician, and teacher.
I am lucky to be surrounded by happy, creative musicians and writers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.back-to-the-garden.net/
- Instagram: marcintravaia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marc.intravaia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cloudclubcollective3760 and https://www.youtube.com/@twangsterfamily8675
- Other: https://www.mycloudclub.org/
Image Credits
Kay Greenwood, Dennis Anderson, Dan Chusid
