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2021
“Just don't make it too boisterous” Is the first thing Mark Schraven says if you want to write about him. The 45-year-old Dutch singer / guitarist from The Mark is not a man of big words. He would rather let his music speak for itself. Although "speak"...? Good music is something you feel. Like he himself was moved by Elvis as a three-year-old while going through his mother's collection of 45-rpm singles. It wasn't Presley's words, groove, or melodies that made him an instant fan, it was the way The King sang. “There is a sincerity in it; he means every word he sings”.
With the idea that music must be pure and sincere above all else, Mark picks up the guitar at the age of nine. At the age of twelve he formed his first band with his older brother Ralph. In addition to the guitar, drums, bass, keys and especially vocals are Mark’s other instruments. Forced, but not undesirable, the two brothers always need a third person to form a band. Depending on what the third person is playing, Mark changes instruments.
With this broad musical base, he can go in any direction. From blues to acoustic Top 100 covers, as accompanist to Dutch singer/songwriter Roland Verstappen and from an Elvis tribute band for weddings and parties to classic American rock. He does it all. In over fifteen bands he plays numerous musical styles: rock, country, blues, rock and roll, folk, roots, punk and hard rock. While touring with star guitarist James Burton in 2010 and 2012, he comes real close to his old idol: the American was Elvis Presley's bandleader for eight years.
With his previous band ‘Mufkin Tass’ he works with top musicians and ditto producers in the best studios. For example, the work for debut album ‘Live and Love between Passion and Persistence’ was done with the help of musicians who previously played with Bob
Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. After the release, Mark tours with Mufkin Tass throughout Europe and the United States, where they sometimes play three times a night and even get to play the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go in Los Angeles. A boy's dream come true. And as with dreams coming true, a black hole is waiting back in the Netherlands. That means the end of the band.
As one door closes, another one opens. It opens the door for The Mark, his new formation with Mark in the role of singer / guitarist. Armed with thirty years of experience and craftsmanship, he goes back to basics with this band. The formation stands for pure, genuine music from the heart, just like with old heroes Johnny Cash, Rory Gallagher and Elvis. It is rock based on American tradition with a blues feel. Mark: “In the past you wouldn't set foot in the studio if you could not really play. The Mark stands for authenticity, individuality, intensity and a good song, without compromise. ”
In 2019 The Mark joins record label Indieplant and new work is launched, starting with the single "Back Home To You", a melancholic song about always being able to find the way back home. The single has been received with praise: "a good single" and "a beautiful voice" is the assessment of radio makers Henkjan Smits and Manuela Kemp on January 21st after listening to The Mark during their program De MAX Kantoorsession on NPO Radio 5. Also regionally and locally, the track had quite a bit of Airplay on radio stations.
This year 2021 will be all about widening the path The Mark has taken with the release of an EP, recorded in Los Angeles with resounding names, entitled "Floating Downstream"!