Mark Bryan is the lead guitarist for Hootie and Blowfish. He has released his own solo album (30 on the Rail) and composed a short downloadable album titled State Your Peace available on their website. The band is currently touring in promotion of their latest album, which comes out August 8th, Looking for Lucky. I had the opportunity to interview him over the phone before a Tennessee show on August 4th about the band, his solo career, and the new album.
How long have you been working on Looking for Lucky?
We started last fall in September. We did one recording back in December for about eight days and another recording in March for nine days. We were pretty much done at that point.
What made you get back into the studio?
Songs. I like songs. (laughs) We all write so we always have material. To be honest, I think we put out an album about every two years. That seems to be our working schedule.
In One Love, there's a line in the lyrics that goes by pretty quick, "So many dying, so many lying." Where did that line come from?
Darius added that line after it was completed. It was almost an adlib. It's just in reference to what the song is talking about. Sort of one love as opposed to a war type of thing. Kind of an idealistic song. I like that about it. It sort of shows that there is a chance for that and by saying "so many lying, so many dying," it creates this image of a lot of bad things going on. I think people will get what they get from it as far as what it means to us. I think it's a powerful line.
Killing Stone, not so much for the lyrics, but the sound is dark and gritty, almost like nothing else you have done. What was the inspiration for this one?
I agree. It's because we always write in G, it goes good with guitar and Darius' voice and the relative minor chord in G is E minor and very rarely do we actually start with E minor and that's what happened with that song. There's another song of ours on Musical Chairs called Wishing like that. That's what it sounds like when we start on a minor instead of a major chord.
Article comments
1 - Jones Violet
Nice interview, Matt. Hootie and the Blowfish were one of the first bands I saw live (many years ago). Not much into their music anymore, but have to say that it was a great show.
2 - Matt Paprocki
There's been a lot going on in Hootie land. I highly recommened picking up one of the recent albums, especially Musical Chairs. You can't go wrong given how cheap they are used.
3 - JOHN JOHNSON
I HEAR THAT 'LOOKING FOR LUCKY' IS THE BEST STUDIO ALBUM SINCE 'CRACKED REAR VIEW'. THAT IS SOME STATEMENT TO LIVE UP TO AND AN ALBUM TO LOOK FORWARD TO, CAN'T WAIT.
4 - Matt Paprocki
It's a wonderful album. It loses some steam towards the end, and I'm still lost on Killing Stone (hence why I asked Mark), but there's plenty of great stuff on there. I still stand by that Musical Chairs will remain their best.
5 - Temple Stark
Temple Stark picked this for an Editors' Pick of the Week. Go ahead and find out why here.
6 - The Duke
"Lead guitar player"
You have GOT TO BE KIDDING
Electric guitar player would have been appropo; but for CRISSAKES don't stretch it.
7 - Bob A. Booey
Is that the skinny hippie white dude with the blonde hair?
That is all.
8 - Matt Paprocki
Mark is the guy with the curly hair. Jim has the long hair and is forever known for being shirtless in the Hold My Hand video.