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Mark Ellis
(Interviewed on Wednesday, May 02, 2007)
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Where do you live and where are you originally from?
I live in a village called Cliffe, about 6 miles outside of Rochester in Kent, have lived here for about 30 years Born in Chatham, and raised in Gillingham, and always have lived in Medway Towns
Do you work , full/part time/ self employed?
Work full time for an American company, but work from home, also travel quite a lot throughout some of Europe, but mainly UK.
Where do you make your music ? (e.g. studio/bedroom/separate room) and describe the surroundings ?
My studio is set up in a back bedroom, it’s also my home office and computer room,
From the back window I can see across the marshes to the River Thames, so a nice view of Canvey Island across the other side… nice refinery that :-/
So it’s room full of desks, computers, a Roland studio, monitors, and 6 guitars, keyboards, mics and stands etc.
When did you first really start getting into music, and what was the first single/album you ever bought with your own cash?
I have always been into music, my Mother told me the other day that I wanted a Ukelele/Banjo for my 4th birthday, so must have been strumming at that age, I don’t remember that, but my first recollections were listening to my mums 78 records, she had all Little Richard and Elvis, Jerry Lee etc, so I was bought up on Rock and Roll.
The first single I can remember buying was The Who.. Anyway Anyhow Anywhere.
First album… Dave Dee Dozy Mick and Tich… I think….. Now that’s sad ain’t it?
Who were your musical heroes when you were at school?
The Beatles and The Stones were the popular bands when I was at school, I liked them and The Who, Kinks, Small Faces, as well
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Rolling Stones at The Odeon cinema in Rochester, (Not there anymore) I had to go with a neighbour as I wasn’t old enough to go on my own, must have been 11 I think. Now I look back on that all I can remember was Brian Jones waving at the adoring screaming girls, couldn’t hear much of the music as far as I recall
What was the best gig you ever went to?
Got to have been Led Zeppelin at Wembley, at around the time that Zep 4 came out 1971??, when they were at their peak… Awesome, I have seen just about everyone from Hendrix to Floyd, from Oasis to Jethro Tull, Cliff Richard to Bob Dylan… and that Zeppelin concert just sticks out as the most memorable
What would you say were your main strengths musically?
Hmmm… probably melody, and I’m told I am decent Bass Player… solid I think is probably the best way to describe my Bass Playing. I don’t rate myself as singer. Having worked on a few collaborations since being on this site, I would say that another strength is being able to take someone else’s raw material and produce a decent result from it, I enjoy doing that. My guitar playing is limited due to having had a little mishap when I was at college, and damaging a tendon in the third finger of my left hand, so that’s why I started playing Bass, co’s I really can only use 3 fingers instead of 4... The tip doesn’t bend so I’m limited on guitar.
Looking around you, what would you say was the most encouraging aspects of the music industry at the moment?
Probably the re emergence of the Guitar as a main instrument, it’s encouraging kids to start playing guitars instead of becoming DJ’s. (Nothing against that in itself, I just like to see and hear kids playing real instruments)
Which track that you have written/created/produced would you say is your best work (to date) ?
Probably “Fair Isles” I think I’m quite proud of that one, took me ages to get the lyrics right, but I think the whole thing came out well.
What would you say most influences/inspires you to write a track, and what is your most regular process in creating a new track ?
Loneliness… I spend a lot of time in Hotel rooms on my own with my guitar, that’s when I usually write songs, or am most prolific, probably because there are not many distractions, when I write at home it can take me ages to get a song done.
Once I have a song, then I just sit at the keyboard, play the song with guitar and try drum tracks until have one I like then build the song from there
Who or what do you admire most in the current music industry ?
Willie Nelson, for still doing what he loves to do, and getting busted a couple of weeks ago… J
And Bob Harris for playing decent music on the radio.
Who or what do you have most contempt for in the current music industry ?
The current music industry!. All image and no substance, although guitars are back and that’s a good thing.
On Mp3unsigned, what would you change ?
I can’t think of anything I would change. But when changes do come along they always seem good
Which artist on mp3unsigned do you most enjoy ?
Hmmm there are loads I enjoy, .em … er.. That is such a difficult one to answer. OK…. Transporters. But I like loads of others too. They are my favourite today!
Iif you were stranded (desert island disks style) and could only ever have 3 tracks to play, which would they be and why ?
The Long And Winding Road.. Beatles. Love that song, and always brings a tear to my eye… Probably because for me it represents the end of something… My growing up, the Beatles… I enjoy listening to melancholy music sometimes, and that one always seems to touch me deep.
Red House.. Jimi Hendrix. My favourite blues, just a fab song I never tire of listening to.
Same question , but which 1 book and 1 movie ?
Book… Bhagavad Gita… On a desert island would have loads of time to meditate... and learn how to experience a bit of of spritual bliss, and learn the truth.
Film…. Lord Of The Rings. Fantastic story, great film, and I like fantasy, and thats still my favourite.
What track do you hate most in the world, and why ?
There are quite a few which make me squirm…. Tainted Love. Insipid, limp and dull.
And that Survivor… Destinys Child… Awful warbling which really irritates me.
Throughout history, pick someone that you admire most, and tell us why ?
Gandhi.. Practised what he preached, and his strength shone through by his humilty, who achieved one of the most diffcult things, to not give in to the material illusion.
If you had the time to learn a new instrument, what would it be, and why ?
Piano i think, I always wanted to play good boogie. but cant get my hands to coordinate.
Who (where or what if needs be) would you say are your true musical influences ?
My Mum.. for making me a rocker.
Tom Paxton .. for making me a folky.
Bob Dylan.. for making me a songwriter.
The Beatles.. for making me understand simplicity and melody.
Martin Carthy.. for making me realise the need for the spaces between the notes.
If Beethoven were alive today, which genre of music would he be making, and would he be a success?
Probably Alt Metal :-)
He was a talented musician and writer...he wouldn't be a success today.
Car or Bike?
Car... like being warm
You are allowed to slap 1 politician, who you gonna slap?
Tony Blair... He fooled me as well... but I think he just got caught up in the illusion of self importance and egotism.
How much of your day do you spend listening to, creating or thinking about music?
As much as possible.. Most of the day.
When was the last time you sat in quiet, and gave yourself time to think?
I think too much.. today... contemplating Canvey Island.
What was your worst fashion disaster?
Sometime in the 70's, went out on a date in Platform Clogs, loon Pants which were too short and food colouring in my hair... Oh god I wonder what she thought tee hee. What a tw*t... Dave Hill.. Eat your heart out!
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To listen to Mark Ellis,
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Acoustic
