MARK TRUEACK – interview

Mark Trueack- Journey’s Groove and More

Journeys Groove band, The Journeys Groove consists of Sean Timms, Chris Lebeled, Steve Unruh, Don Schiff, Amanda Timms, and Jameson Smeltz

‘Journey’s Groove – An Adventure in Life’! This project was always going to be something a little different. I didn’t want to use Prog music as the platform, I wanted to do soul, groove and world with some elements of Jazz. Sean loved the idea and helped me develop the tracks to my liking.

What’s the hardest part about being a band now? I do not find it hard being in band, as you get older, you get wiser. When I last toured with Unitopia (2023) We all had the time of our lives, you can see that on our latest Blu-ray “Alive and Kicking” We make music that hopefully resonates to our audience.

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea? My Farther was writing his life story and insisted that I read it, this was about 8 years ago. It was a massive read! So that help in the process, but I wanted to express my feeling and stories as a snapshot of my life. Many of the songs can relate to anyone, so I felt using variations and different styles would be more accessible than Progressive music.

Tell us a bit more about your latest release, ‘Journey’s Groove – An Adventure in Life’ why should we check it out? Music is very universal, we all have different tastes, and we all love different styles. There are many on this project that help tell my stories, anyone who loves music in general would be able to access the understanding of my life. I think there is a song for everyone to relate to

How does a song typically come together for you? I am very lucky to have a special skill where I can hear and feal something in piece of music. A good example is when I work with skilful engineers/producers like Sean Timms, Matt Williamd, Steve Unruh, Chris Lebled and just recently Peter Lazar, I am able to write and sing something over an arrangement. It comes very easily for me.

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader? It depends on the project, for example, people who are fans of Unitopia might find my solo project to hard to engage, I have many strings to my bow, So I have many styles that can inspire and give lots of presence. Romantechs is very chill, UPF has many styles to check out, this project is more for the connoisseur, laid back and cool

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band? Journeys Groove is really a solo project, not a band and seeing we are talking about the album its would not be sensible talking about Unitopia

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why? If with Unitopia, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, and Brazil

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years? If with Unitopia, the second phase of Unitopia which started 2017 Sean and I decided to recruit some new members that would change the sound but not our writing style. Enter Professor John Greenwood (Guitar and Vocals), Steve Unruh (multi-instrumentalist) Alphonso Johnson and Don Schiff on Bass and of course Chester Thompson. This line up gave us something different and enabled us to write together as one

How excited are you going into 2026, and what can fans expect from you? In 2026 which is just around the corner Unitopia will be releasing a new album called “Spark” I have also a brand new collaboration Rock Oper called 7 Dead Sins (see below) and my next solo concept album called Breaking down the Barriers, to be released on OOB Records, so plenty to look forward to.