Mark Croft Wisconsin Troubadour
Mark Croft is a hell of good songwriter and performer! I would even say that he is a great songwriter and performer! Croft is lucky enough to make his living doing what he loves to do. A troubadour from Columbus,Wisconsin he has been playing as a singer songwriter solo and with a band since 2005. His music has been described as Pop/Rock, but I hear a tinge of Americana in his lyrics and song styling’s. In fact I would call his music Pop Americana. It is laden with classy hooks both lyrically and instrumentally,fantastic story lines, and especially on his new CD“Evening Flood”a tinge of Southern Gothic styling’s. He is a multiple MAMA’s award winner, a fantastic guitar player, and probably one of the nicest people you will meet in the music business. I met with Croft at one of his favorite hangouts Cool Beans Coffee House on Eagan Road on the East Side of Madison for a delightful conversation and laughs. AG: This CD is incredible! Besides the fantastic collection of songs the recording and sound quality is right up there with CD’s that are coming out on major labels.
AG: The songThe Gas is On is really different than most of the songs on the CD. It has a real R&B flavor to it. How did you come about to write it? Croft: It was just a feel I had to start with. The rhythm just came alive in the studio. Sometimes that just happens. You have an idea how a song will go,but when you get in the studio or with the band it takes on a life of its own. AG: How long have you been doing this? Croft: I started playing piano as a little kid and did so exclusively until I was about 17. I picked up the guitar when I went to college and it was a love affair right away. I pretty much did not go anywhere without my guitar for about three years. I really started writing and pursuing music at a high level in about 2003. I went full-time 2005 when I put out my first CD and have been doing it ever since. AG: Do you travel the whole country or just regionally?
Croft: Thanks. I am very proud of this CD. I recorded it in Minneapolis at Master’s Rec0ording Studio. This is the same studio where Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson cut tracks. The gear and musicians were the best Minneapolis had to offer. It was such a cool experience to make music in a place like Master’s. It was the first time I ever had a producer and it was a great experience. Anthony Benson was super to work with. The musicians got my music right away so the whole tracking process was effortless. AG: Your songs are so well constructed. The chord changes, lyrics, hooks, everything just flowed. I do have to ask though how does a guy from Columbus Wisconsin write such authentic Southern influenced songs (Cripple Me,One Mississippi)? Croft: It’s funny I don’t think I realized until I went in and started recording these songs that they had that kind of influence to them. I write in a rootsy kind of way. I have had more than one person tell me that I write Country songs with an edge. I guess in some ways I have kind of fought against that, but as I listen more to my songs I hear that influence myself. I don’t know where that comes from,but hey I’m a big fan of southern style songs and I’m just glad they found their way to this CD.
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Croft: In the past just regionally. This year though I’m going to be spreading out and working different parts of the U.S. AG:Were you ever in a band before you undertook this solo gig? Croft: In High School I played in Garage Bands playing Rock music with friends and my next door neighbor. I played keyboards. But since I picked up the guitar I have been a solo artist,though I do play live at some gigs with a band or as a duo depending on the job. AG: How do you approach songwriting? Croft: A lot of times I get my inspiration form driving round in my car. I don’t listen to music as much as I use to so it’s more from visual things that I get my ideas from. When I start to look for ideas I do listen to new artists to see what others are doing. I usually start with a line or phrase that popped into my head and I build a song around it. Sometimes I come up with the hook and then construct the song around it. AG: Do you write on guitar and piano? w w w. a m e r i c a n a g a z e t t e . n e t