Interview: Mark and the Tiger
Hi Mark! Thank you for speaking with me today!
Hey! Thank you for having me!
What have you been working on lately?
I actually just finished up a new album! It’s called “The Hero’s Journey” based on Joseph Cambell’s template of the “monomyth” in mythology.
Who or what first got you into music?
I truly can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t singing. My mom especially really helped make that a huge part of who I am. She was always singing to me, and with me, and sharing new music with me. I remember going to see the Sound of Music when I was five or six. It was my first time ever seeing a musical live. In the middle of the show I looked up at my parents and asked, “Can I sing along?” And I was genuinely shocked when they said no!
What about your music would you say is rebellious or unconventional?
Well, one of my new songs has live recordings of people having sex throughout the whole thing…
But beyond THAT, I’m really trying to push the envelope while also feeling really accessible to a wide range of people. I like weaving my own journey and spirituality into my music in a way that feels universal to anyone and everyone. And hopefully my sound is just unique enough!
Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction, or did it gradually evolve in the direction you found?
It’s definitely been an evolution! I actually had a really hard time finding my sound. It took me the better half of the last 10 years to figure out what I was doing and what I wanted to be. I put out an EP last year that was a pretty eclectic collection of songs. They each felt like a different part of my journey but not necessarily a cohesive unit. But with this album I had a really clear vision and it was like all those past experiences and songs came together in something that feels like the sound I was looking for! I think I had to make the first EP for this album to be what it is and I’m super excited about it.
What are your top three albums of all time?
This is HARD!
Well Florence and the Machine is definitely in there, but I’m not sure if I would choose “Ceremonials” or “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful”. I guess probably the former because “Shake it Out” is one of my favorite songs of all time. But HBHBHB was a huge inspiration for this album I just made.
Number 2 would probably be “The Honesty Room” by Dar Williams. She’s a folk singer with a cult following and she is probably the biggest influence on my music lyrically. I grew up listening to her, my mom would sing me songs by her, and to this day I listen to her whenever I need a little comfort.
And I’m not quite sure what I would put for number 3…. Maybe “Rumors” just because it’s the level of album I was hoping to achieve with mine! But there may be a better answer...
Top three artists to listen to on any given day?
I just listed them! Florence, Dar, And Fleetwood Mac (or just Stevie).
Any upcoming projects you want to talk about?
I’m a broken record now, but my new music is on the way. There will be a few singles coming out in the next few months and the whole album will be released in 2022!
Please let everyone know where to keep up with you and your music!
IG and TikTok are @markandthetiger
And you can also find new info on all things Mark and the Tiger on my website : markandthetiger.com
Thank you for your time! Thank you so much!