Mark Charles (Vocalist / Lyrics) Audiocircus. - INTERVIEW

Learn More about Mark Charles and Audiocircus at: http://www.audiocircus.org.uk

IB: How do you approach songwriting and What influences you? Do you have a visual image in your mind as the song is composed, or does that come afterwards as a result of the song?

can get influences from anywhere and everywhere. I guess I do at some point get an image of a song, but it is a joint decission in the end between, myself, Wes (Guitar) and Dean (Percussion). I never sit down and think I`ll write a verse, then a bridge, then a chorus or anything. I think I write storys and experiences and float them around to melodys and tunes. It just happens and you just get a feeling and know when it`s right. What interests me is other peoples interpretations after they hear one of our songs for the first time, it`s amazing how a song can become personal to another person and the feeling it has for them. It`s facinating and encouraging.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: What's your philosophy on music today?

Some people think there are too many bands around, but I disagree, I think that the internet can give the impression that there are 100`s of bands playing in every street, but it`s just that access has become available and the tools for people to be heard are better. I find we have made more friends from playing live than we could ever on the internet. As far the mainstream goes, it`s still the same old fat cats manufacturing fake copys of the latest street thing. Every now and then something great emerges and 2 months later there are manufactured copys of the original idea, but if people get clever they realise it`s whats inside they want, not the pretty package or good looks.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: Tell us about you, when did you begin writing songs ?

I started writing songs when I was still at school, about 12 years old, you know the usual naive punk angst rant type stuff. I`ve been writing songs eversince. Some songs I have are locked in my head and I`ve never written them down, It`s crazy, but I have this bunch of songs that Have been hanging around my mindseye for a few years, I`ve never tried putting them down as demos, well not yet anyway, it`s strange but I sing them to myself sometimes, and I think one day I will stick them all on a demo tape, I have a very clear idea of how they would sound so the time would have to be right I suppose.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: How many projects are you currently involved in?

As far as bands go Audiocircus is all I could manage right now and I love it so much I could`nt imagine doing anything else. I do have other things I`m involved with, but thats more to do with arranging shows and putting showcases together, I do all the posters and stuff. I`ve got a showcase organised localy, I`m realy pleased because I`ve been wanting to get one organised for ages. I like and respect so many unsigned bands, that I just want to get them all playing , all the time, but I know thats not possible, so I decided to get local showcase nights going. The one I got going now is exciting and I`m working hard to get exposure and to promote the show. My local erea has nothing like that and it`s hard getting venues, so I`m hoping this is the start of many more and eventualy a showcase tour, all done by artists co-oporating together, kind of saying screw you to the industry, D.I.Y. everything we have achieved in this last few months has been done by ourselves, you know we are knocking on doors and shouting. Everyone said, you cant do that, but I tell you, if you believe in your art, you can, and sometimes it pays off.
-------------------------------------------------------------

IB: What's your long-term goals?

To start a true independent Label and help underrated artists achieve more, you now it`s not about the best production or any of that, we recorded on cheap 4 track recorders and stuff, just stripped down acoustic bare knuckle tunes, and there is an honesty in songs like that. And a good song will always shine through the dirt, you can polish a piece of shit , but it`s still a piece of shit, people are getting wise, they know the difference, turn off radio 1 or whatever your local corporate station is and tune into stuff like extreme indie radio, support local musicians, thats where it`s at. Thats where it`s true.I want to keep challenging myself with new ideas and goals and to keep learning.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: How did you get into music/songwriting?

My big sister and her boyfriend, the vinyl was always spinning at my house when I was growing up. It was there all the time, The Clash, Specials, Beatles, Lennon, she was always buying records, every week. So when I was old enough to go to town with her on saturdays with my pocket money already burning a hole in my pocket, I could`nt wait to spend it on records, singles, I played them over and over. She gave me stacks of records when she left home and that. I ran upstairs to play them, Like she used to, over and over. I had album covers and single covers stuck to my wall with blue - tak , I used to wash my vinyl in warm soapy water ever month, honest, I was record mad, I still have a turntable from the late 80`s now, and it works great, I`ve got lots of vinyl too...
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: How long have you been performing?

I done gigs hear and there with a few of my early punk bands, I played a few solo acoustic shows alone, but as Audiocircus with Wes and Dean it`s very new, and it`s just been great, within a few months of coming together and myself & wes knocking out the first few tunes on 4 track we got offered shows right away.
-------------------------------------------------------------

IB: What other artists/songwriters do you admire? And inspired you the most early on?

I admire lots of artists. I love loads of unsigned artists, old and young, I was lucky enough to meet joe strummer, I admire Joe Strummer and I admire Jeff Caudill, wow! there are loads, Terry hall sounds brilliant on the Specials records, The Get Up kids "on a wire" was a regular for me, so is Mae and the Movielife. I like so much stuff and I admire many artists...
-------------------------------------------------------------

IB: What do you want out of life?

It`s hard to answer this without saying "to be happy" and all that, because that`s obviuosly what everyone wants to be, but to achieve such a simple goal, I think we all could be less mean to each other, you know there is so much work to do to achieve happiness for all, I want to see an end to poverty in my lifetime,I want to take responsibility and share it with others, the sort of actions that create awarness of issues like No Sweat and art not oil. I want to see less violence, there is so much I want out of life for the benefit of all. So I guess I want what most other people want, but without the yacht and the fast car, none of those material things interest me or could bore me less, and thats the truth.I want to keep moving forward with new ideas and that is a great motivating force. Doing music, being creative, getting involved, showing kindness learning from others. This is my love and this is my life work. It's what challenges me. I look around and I see people just settling into things and giving up. I don't want that to happen to me. I know people who are great examples of how you can continue changing and challenging your own ideals. Those are the people that I want to be most like. I don't want to quit learning. Now, I look at people in the media , I think, ' you've think you need tight skin, you think you need to diet, you think you need a smaller nose, you think you need a bigger house, you think you need bigger breasts, you think you need a smaller this, and a bigger that ... but, seriously, I wouldn't be you.
-------------------------------------------------------------

IB: What is the most important lesson you think you have learned so far?

Patience.
------------------------------------------------------------- MUZN: Where do you want to be in the future?

In a community that cares about individuals and offers options for all, with inspirational teachers and with free health care for all. If that fails, probably spain with my friends making plans for something like that....
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: How many of your songs are 'instant' songs and how many are channelled?

I dont realy know what channelled means, accidental, perhaps that is channelled, I already have lots of ideas and lyrics, plus storys and things like that, everything is second hand and needs to be learned, so if I`m channeling anything, I hope it`s from the most honest source.What I do is very internal, I don't know what it is inside of me. Sometimes I understand it, but sometimes I have no idea what it is or where it comes from. I have no idea what some of my songs are about, but I recognise that they're from within and When I start to share them and let them out thier not just mine. They belong to the listener.They are honest, they are not planned out.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: Tell us about your latest project?

It`s hard to answer without repeating stuff. We are waiting to hear about a new project working with media students. This project would be a learning curve for us as a band and for the students involved. It will include recording new tracks and might include a video, so that could be awsome and i`m sure we will throw ourselves into it 100%. Of course I have my showcase projects to keep me busy as it is, plus handling the management side of the band and our releases on my own little label 'Lunaspoon'. I`m learning to get the best sound quality I can from low cost demos using the cheapest gear and a non existant budget. Plus I have lots to learn about the buisness side of things with the lunaspoon project. Maybe someone will read this and be kind enough to assist. Ha,ha, i doubt it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
IB: Is There antyhing else you would like to add?

Yes, I would like to thank all your readers who have taken the time to read this interview. I would like to thank IB for being kind enough and interested enough to request this interview with me. I also will say thank you to everyone who takes the time to come to our shows, help support us by buying our releases, emailing kind words of support and encouragement and being good friends to us. THANK YOU.

PRESS:
- Caroline Cloones writes:

Audiocircus was formed 2005 in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. At the time Mark (Vocals) and Wes (Guitar) were sharing ideas and writting songs via email that became the first demo.

While writting and uploading tracks to a scratch site that would later become the official A.C. Site at www.audiocircus.org.uk Mark & Wes would often discuss rare music and favourite artists like, The Get Up Kids, Gomez and Further Seems Forever. With this new friendship the guys got together to knock out a few original numbers due to an overwhelming response and requests from venues and fans to perfom live. In an old abandoned church The First songs came kicking and screaming to life.

The Duo added old time friend Dean with his Bongos, Congas and percussion to complete the line up for the very first live performance and headline slot at "The Sound Cafe', Liecester Square, London. With little effort to either impress or repulse, the show was a huge success. Mark, Wes and Dean really didn't give much thought to fact that they had something special. But as the audience approached them in droves to enthuse about how incredible they thought the self penned songs where and with comparisons to the mighty R.E.M. The boys came to the realisation that they had something worthy of praise and support. Immediatley booked by the now infamous 'Pop Factory' to play a live show at the loft (Gable TV) and with the offers flooding in , add to that an army of new fans asking for more, the band have found themselves within a few short months working to arrange shows and recruit musicians to take 'the Sound' to a new level. Three tracks from the first Acoustic demo have held firm at the top of the download world music charts for over two months, voted for by readers of world, folk & acoustic music USA.

In a very short space of time the three became four with the addition of long time musician and friend Richard on drums, they got together and began rehearsing and writing songs in the old church. With more live dates being penned and new recordings being comfirmed, plus the offer of a video shoot, Audiocircus are a 'must see' Live act.

Audiocircus is - Mark - Vocals Wes - Guitars Dean - Conga, Bongo Richard - Drums/Percussion

Audiocircus Live Dates, Past and present -

Aberdare folk Club (Wes & Mark) The Sound Cafe Bar, Liecester Square, London.(Wes, Mark & Dean) Toms Bar, Treforest.(Wes, Mark & Dean)

July 1st 2005, The Pop Factory, Porth. July 16th 2005, Festival of Hope, Tenby July 20th Rhyl, Bar Blu.

August 7th "Acoustic showcase', Headline @ "The Bute", Aberdare.

Release, "Mini Album" Audiocircus. Lunaspoon recordings 2005. 7 tracks including Acoustic Folk World faves 'Deliberate Moves, The Racer and A Mission'.

Live shows , Recording & a video are all in the pipeline for Audiocircus. Audiocircus, are top of the 'must see' live acts of 2005.

-------------------------------------------------------------

INDIEBYTE'S FEATURED INTERVIEW WITH Mark Charles from Audiocircus!

If you would like to be considered for an interview, please EMAIL US