Mark Mathis

Bio:
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Mark Mathis is reminiscent of the instrumentation of parlor-rock greats, 'Hem' combined with the grit of Jeff Tweedy's, 'Wilco', and the addictive qualities of 'Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers'. His style has been described as 'blue-collar rock', 'indiecana', and 'dark folk'. Along with his wife, Jessie, and other opportunists, he is always creating new shades and perspectives on his songwriting themes.

Mark Mathis comes from a rich musical and artistic heritage from the Southeast. His grandfather was a true southern gentleman who painted landscapes of his beloved coastal towns and had a love for mexico. His grandmother played elaborate, liturgical organ music and taught piano to mark at an early age.

He eventually forsook the piano in an acto of rebellion and began to play the guitar in his new band, 'the mustard seeds'. This began his long-time collaboration with his guitarist and friend, John Mark Mcmillan. The music took various transformations in the Charlotte,NC music scene until the two parted ways and began their own solo careers.

Four albums later, Mark Mathis is touring, working on a new side project, 'public radio' and is writing for a new solo album, hopefully both will come out in 2008.
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Press:
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Mark Mathis is a new-folk and Americana singer from North Carolina who crafts thoughtful musical commentaries on life, love and politics. His new solo CD, We Both Was Young, mixes simple but affecting poetry with inspired melodies and warm, acoustic production.
2007 - npr

Mark Mathis of 'Public Radio' is a sort of wunderkind to those that know him. He has released three albums in the last three years, each opus a home grown gem with effortless melodies and an early-twentieth century American poetry.
2007 - braillemedia.com

By combining many musical elements, Mark Mathis successfully underscores the Americana-folk storytelling on his fourth CD, We Both Was Young. Whether it is the low-voiced David Byrne-esque styling on "Sharecropper Takes a Colored Wife" or the Johnny Cash-influenced upbeat rhythms on "Prenup," Mathis has created a fluid CD mixed with emotion and truth.
2007 - Southeast Performer Magazine
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Discography:
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songs i learned in college - 2002 Freshwater Records
public radio - 2005 Freshwater Records
warship - 2006 Freshwater Records
we both was young - 2007 Freshwater Records

H.O.P.E Compilation - 2003
Harvest Compilation - 2004
Kaleidoscope Skate Video - 2006
Zao Water Compilation - 2007
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Contact:
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markmathis@gmail.com
markmathis.net
freshwaterrecords.com
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