Welcome Mark! So happy we get to chat with you today! We know you came from a small town in Maine. Tell us about where you are from and what kind of support you received from friends and family over the years.
Thanks so much for having me! Well, as you said, I’m from a really tiny towing Maine. It’s very much a tourist kind of town. In the summer it’s busy and beautiful and in the winter it is dark and empty! I love it! But I’m honestly kind of a New England brat. Maine is home, but I was born in Connecticut, went to High School in Mass, College back in CT, and traveled all around the North East in general. And everywhere I went I was really lucky to have incredible friends and an amazing family. There was never a time when I didn’t feel supported and loved by the people around me. The only person who never really supported me was ME! It took me a long time to get over my own bullshit enough to be able to receive the help I was being offered.
What have you experienced as a musician that gives you a clear understanding of just how ‘tough’ the industry can be at times?
Oh man, the whole thing? It’s just hard. I can’t necessarily put it down to one moment that showed me that. The whole thing is hard. Playing shows to empty rooms, releasing music that no one ever hears, peddling yourself to people who don’t want to give you the time of day….It’ s a struggle. But you just have to keep going. If there was any other career that could give me as much fulfillment and joy as music I would do it (and I have tried!) because this industry is not for the faint of heart!
If you could work with any music producer in the world who would that be and why?
I would LOVE to work with Mark Ronson. I’ve loved him ever since Lily Allen’s first album. I adored his use of big band sounds in a modern pop album. I’d love to do an album with a similar vibe!
What are some of the highlights of your musical career which also lead you to this point in time?
I just played a gig at The Whisky A Go Go at the beginning of the month. That was such a dream come true! Playing such an iconic venue, and too a really great crowd, was amazing! I still get chills thinking about it!
Do you think a musician needs to be in Los Angeles to ‘make it’ in music?
Definitely not! In fact sometimes I wonder if I[‘m in the wrong town. I feel like Nashville is the place to be for music these days. I would have loved to have been in Los Angeles during the 60’s. Now that was definitely LA’s music hay day! But honestly, these days with the internet and social media you can make your career happen anywhere in the world. It’s just about who finds you.
Where can we find your music online and follow and support you on social media?
I’m on Spotify – Mark and the Tiger – and amazon music and Apple Music and all the rest! You can also find me on IG and twitter @markandthetiger
End of Interview