First Look: Mark Mathews – Black Heart Down
Visually stunning and sonically amazing is the new video titled “Black Heart Down” from UK artist Mark Mathews. Bringing Bob Dylan into the 21st century with an original twist, Mark combines the clarity of acoustic and the drive of electric into the perfect combination of eclectic. Definetly a must look and listen!
@markmathewssong I'll be coming to you in September, #California to play some solo shows. On the 9th I'll be at… instagram.com/p/BX44e9bBYa7/
About Mark Mathews
Mark Mathews is a London based singer-songwriter, voted one of the best artists in London by readers of the Metro newspaper, awarded first place in the Indie International songwriting competition and nominated for 2 Indy Music Awards for best live act.
His relentless gigging, touring and busking has taken him around the world, literally and when he is not touring, his London Underground busking license has taken him around the circle line. Equally literally.
“Full of melody that would make a wolverine purr” – Intamission Music
Mark is Spanish from his Mum’s side and Northern Irish from his Dad’s side. The family tree in Belfast hung heavy with stories of death and guns, so Mark’s Dad, a working actor, took the family to settle in the East End of London. The ‘usual poor Eastender stuff’ transpired before relocating 30 miles down the road to Maidsone in Kent. But the East End was never far away with them moving into a house next to Maidstone Prison, with east end stalwarts, Reggie Kray and Bruce Reynolds as residents.
A freebie tape titled ‘Sixties Mania’ that came with a box of Kellogg’s cereal opened his mind to classic British Pop writing. The discovery of Sgt Peppers in his Mum’s vinyl collection and the arrival of Oasis followed. The former was on constant repeat for a year. The latter encouraged Mark to pick up a guitar and write songs.
The culmination of these three events was the catalyst to Mark escaping the shadow of the Trebor Mint factory in his small hometown in search of an alternative life. He ‘bought the ticket, to take the ride’.
“Mark writes good tuneful songs…and the live set added even more energy to his catchy songs”– Art Rocker
Influenced by The Beatles and The Kinks as well as American greats like The Band and Ryan Adams, Mark fuses great story telling with an undeniable knack for a hooky chorus to create catchy indie pop with a raw folk edge.
“Mark Mathews’ refreshing blend of funk, indie and rock n roll makes him a dangerous talent” – Hybrid Lab
Mark performs his material solo and also with a full band named ‘Mark Mathews’ Late Night Players’.
He has performed with Andy Fairweather-Low, Frank Turner, Nigel Clarke (Dodgy) Luke Toms, The Draytones and Dan Le Sac, headlined at the Camden Barfly, O2 Islington Academy and had numerous stage invasions from excited fans.
He’s had a residency in India, held headlining slots in Australia and New Zealand and performed in the home of Rock n Roll, the deep south of America.
In between tours Mark busks. On one occasion, along the central line, he had such a large, enraptured audience that staff had to be called to work as crowd control and whilst in Covent Garden Comedian, Lenny Henry dropped him a large wad of cash and some very supportive words that fed the soul and fuelled the engine.
Mark continues to record and release music, so far having 4 EP’s and 3 singles out to buy worldwide and is currently working on an album due for release in April 2016.
“Black Heart Down” is the fist single from the new album The Raging Sea.
We hope you like it.
Featured image by Cecilia Paulsson
Dates:
APRIL 27TH THE BEDFORD LONDON
APRIL 29TH THE CAVENDISH LONDON
APRIL 30TH ASYLUM ESSEX
MAY 6TH CAFÉ DEL MARSH LONDON
MAY 8TH AMERSHAM ARMS LONDON
MAY 12TH DUBLIN CASTLE LONDON
LINKS:
http://www.markmathewsmusic.com
http://www.twitter.com/markmathewssong
http://www.facebook.com/markmathewsmusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/markmathews
