Hello! So great to speak with you today!
It’s my pleasure! Thank you for having me!
You were recently in the recording studio working on a new album with Mikal Blue! How was that experience?
It was truly amazing! I’ve been in some great studios before but this was something special. Mikal’s space is HUGE and full of so many amazing gadgets and talented people. And for me personally, being in that space really made me feel confident in what I was doing. Mikal and his whole team were so incredible. It really galvanized me to make this album the best it could be.
What are you hoping listeners will take away from the new album?
This album is all about evolution and personal change. I hope it inspires people to push past whatever barriers are keeping them where they are so they live the life they’re meant to. Pretty grandiose, I know, and maybe a bit presumptuous too but still… That’s what I want!
What is a lyric in a song that you think epitomizes great songwriting?
One of my favorite lyrics (possibly my very favorite) ever written is by Dar Williams in her song “Iowa”. To give it some context, the line comes at a point when the protagonist is singing about longing to fall in love with someone but fearing the possible harm it could cause. It goes:
“So you know I asked a friend about it on a bad day. Her husband had just left her. She sat down on the chair he left behind.”
I just LOVE that line. It’s so simple, so universal of an experience, but it expresses such immense sadness and regret. It’s that chair he left behind that really sells it. The rest of the lyric is her friend answering her question:
“She said: What is love? Where did it get me? Whoever thought of love is no friend of mine.”
I mean COME ON!
How do you personally approach the songwriting process?
9 times out of 10 I’ll be driving in my car and I just start singing a melody. Sometimes it’s another song I’m listening to that inspires something. Or else I’ll just hear something in my head and have to get it out. I tend to write melody and lyrics together and then struggle my way through finding the right cords to go with them afterwards.
Do you have any advice for artists who are just starting to dip their toes into the songwriting world?
Always listen to feedback but follow your gut first and foremost. There are talented people who can give you pointers on how to polish things up, but ultimately you know what the song is supposed to be. Trust your instinct.
And don’t make excuses for yourself! If there are words in you trying to get out, get them out!
Please let everyone know where to find you and your music!
All my current music is on Spotify and Apple Music and all the other usual places. The new album will be out in the new year!
You can find me on IG and TokTik @markandthetiger
And you can find everything and anything on my website: Markandthetiger.com
Thank you for your time!
Thank you so much!
For press inquiries: bsquaredmgmt@gmail.com
End of Interview