Image credit: Scott Kempik
Rising alternative band Mark Sharp & the Bicycle Thieves are an outfit with lots of energy and passion and it shows with their latest single ‘Sink or Swim’. This release is our new favourite pick me up song for times of uncertainty. The track is a soothing and upbeat listen with smooth acoustics and energetic vocals throughout, and has also been accompanied by an official music video. The band has opened for the likes of Lewis Capaldi in recent times. ‘Sink or Swim’ also topped the iTunes Rock Chart and ranked at #20 on the main UK chart.
We find out more about this emerging band below.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Growing up there was always great music playing about the house that ranged from the likes of Elvis, Bowie to soul and Motown tunes. My mum and dad have always had great taste in music and that same music resonated with me and it’s always been a big part of our lives. The first gig I went to see was Rod Stewart at Hampden Park with the family when I was about 7 years old and I loved everything about it; from the music to the whole production. Was a great first gig!
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I normally like to sit down with an acoustic guitar and see what comes out. I get some melodies and a chord progression together and spend a bit of time with the lyrics before I’ll pass it on to the band and try to get everyone involved with it their musical inputs. Then we’ll pretty much just work at it in the practise room and studio until we get it right.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
I think listening to music in general whether it is old or new can spark a bit of creativity. But mainly I’d say going to live gigs! Just being in about that sort of environment and stuff gets my head into that creative space.
As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I would love it to just be about the music, but unfortunately in the times that we live in it’s becoming more and more difficult for artists with real talent to fight their way through the bullshitters. But real music is still out there for sure!
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Performing and interacting with a live audience for me! I love being creative and writing songs and you can experiment a bit with them in the studio as well. But the whole point in doing that I feel is so that we can get out there and play them to people and nothing beats playing to an audience that sings your words back to you, and just being in the moment with everyone.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
My memory is terrible but recently Robert Carlyle Tweeted about our new single ‘Sink or Swim’ and he’s one of my all-time favourite actors, so I’ll be forever trying to get my head around that happening
What’s on your current playlist?
Aw a bit of everything to be honest, but as we speak ‘Dreams’ by The Cranberries is on in the background so I’ll say that… What a song that is!
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
We’ve got some more tunes we can’t wait to share with everyone and hopefully a shit load of gigs!
Famous last words?
Don’t think twice, it’s all right!
Follow Mark Sharp & the Bicycle Thieves:
Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud /Youtube
