Dark mean are a band who hail from Hamilton in Canada. They play a heady mix of folk/indie/ambient/rock music and are set to release a new EP 'Samuel The Phoenix' on February 25th. The lead track 'Albatross' can be streamed below, they've also released an awesome video that is embedded below for your viewing pleasure….
I caught up with Mark at the local tennis courts where he was having a quick 'knockabout' with his tennis chums, whilst we were waiting for the play to resume following bad weather, I asked him some questions….
Introduce yourself and your music in one sentence…. My name is Mark Dean and I play in the band Dark Mean
Last time you used public transport and where did you go? This past summer I was on bus in Dubrovnik, Croatia... I was headed to the "old town".
Last time you felt proud? Assuming you mean about myself... I refinished an old tea cart over the holidays. I found it at an antique store. It took me forever and I had never attempted anything like that before, but I was happy the way it turned out. I even posted a picture on our twitter account! (I did check on the bands Twitter account but couldn't find the photo, maybe he'll send it over and I'll publish it so you can all check his restored tea cart out!) In the meantime, I did a search on Google Images "Mark Dean Restored Tea Cart" and I was rewarded with a man with a strange tattoo on his head….(Tres strange !!)
Not Mark Dean's restored Tea Cart….
What classic song do you wish you recorded and why? November Rain - because it was my 'first love' as far as music goes. As a special treat, here's the video for the uncut, full 9 minute version of the track that was Mark's "first love"….enjoy!
Last movie you saw? Lone Survivor
Last book you read? No Great Mischief - by Allistair Macleod
What did you dream about last night? I dreamt I was hanging out with Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings...
Last time you cried? My Aunt's funeral
Biggest musical influence? G n F n R
Best gig you ever played? A gig in Victoriaville, Quebec. It was the last show of a tour we did with the band WIildlife... the energy and vibe was out of this word. It felt like we discovered this tiny town full of Dark Mean fans, singing along with me throughout the show. The owner brought his fiddle on stage for the encore... it was an epic finish to the night.
Best band/artist of 2013? Wildlife... or Deafheaven
Biggest act you have ever played with (supported or on the same bill as)? Nothing too impressive. In university I played in a band called Parlormaid and we opened up for Protest the Hero.
The last album/record you bought? Deafheaven - Sunbather
Last time you had a fight? Probably playing hockey... Billy and I play on the same men's league team.
Tell me one of your guilty pleasures? 'The New Girl' TV show...
Best advice you ever received and who was it from? No one cares about excuses. They only care whether you get the job done - my Dad.
Largest amount spent in a single purchase? (excluding houses) Not any instruments... because they are all crappy. Maybe an engagement ring...
Whilst Mark catches up on missed episodes of The New Girl (Warning - It isn't very rock n' roll), plays air guitar to THAT solo in November Rain and contemplates the cost of a wedding ring (they aren't as expensive as engagement rings Mark), we went backstage and racked up the Quickfire Questions, ready to crank them upto '11'….
Coffee or Tea? - Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? - Pepsi
Mac or PC? - Mac
Holidays/Vacations – Beach or ski-ing? - Snowboarding
Meat or Vegetables? - Meat
CD or Vinyl? - CD
Car or Motorbike? - Motorbike... I wish.
Cat or Dog? - Dog
Acoustic or Electric? - Electric
Angelina or Jennifer? - Jennifer CONNELLY!
Full English Breakfast (bacon/eggs/mushrooms/toast etc) or Cereal? - Full English breakfast
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