Takawaka Music sat down with Mark Thompson on his homestead to talk about the new album, With Flying Birds, and what’s new in his neck of the woods.

Interviewer:

So, Mark. Great to see you. Album sounds great.

Mark:

Thanks. Great to see you too.

Interviewer:

So, what have you been up to?

Mark:

Nothing much. Just doing chores and such.

Interviewer:

Yeah. Great place.

Mark:

Thanks

Interviewer:

How many acres?

Mark:

About 20, give or take.

Interviewer:

Great kids. Met them when we came in.

Interviewer:

Yeah. Rambunkshish. All over the place.

Interviewer:

I would think.

Alice:

No we’re not.

Mark:

Sometimes you are sweety.

Alice:

No!

Max:

Sometimes we are.

(Alice gives her brother a look)

Interviewer:

Daisy. Daisy looks good.

Mark:

Yeah. She’s doing good. At a bake sale I think.

Alice:

She is.

Mark:

Thanks honey.

Interviewer:

So I was over talking with Paul the other day.

Mark:

Yeah, what did he have to say. Haven’t talked in a while. I think he was going to come up in the next few days.

Max:

Saturday daddy.

Mark:

Thanks Max.

Interviewer:

You seem figity Mark. Everything ok?

Mark:

Yeah, yeah, just don’t like interviews.

Interviewer:

Oh. I’ll try to make it quick. So the album. Like it.

Mark:

Yeah. It came out great. Everyone, the band and producers, love it.

Interviewer:

Yeah, really sharp. Especially the drums.

Mark:

Yeah, yeah. Great to be back in the room smashing. Leave it all out there.

Interviewer:

Yeah. What’s next for the group.

Mark:

Not sure. John was talking getting back in and making another album. I think he wants to bring in his new girlfriend.

Interviewer:

I hear she can sing, from Paul.

Mark:

Yeah, yeah. I heard that too. Haven’t heard her yet. But I believe in John’s intuition, so she should be good if that is what he is thinkin’.

Interviewer:

What about Daisy. Does she sing?

Mark:

Yeah, yeah. She has a great voice. Doesn’t like showin’ it off though.

Interviewer:

Really. You should give her some extra umph and see what she can do.

Mark:

Maybe. You’d have to ask her. I don’t push her into anythin’.

Interviewer:

Good. good.

So, nothing upcoming

Mark:

No, not really. We are waiting to see how this album does. Maybe it will be a disaster. I don’t know.

Interviewer:

Disaster. What do you mean?

Mark:

Being AI, of course. Don’t know if people are ready for all that. There are a bunch of critics carin’ on about all that. Don’t know what the point is. Just music.

Interviewer:

But AI music. People want “real” right? Don’t they?

Mark:

I suppose. To each his own.

Interviewer:

Right. So you didn’t do much singing on the album this time. Why not?

Mark:

I’d rather stay in the back. Much more comfortable back there.

Interviewer:

Yeah. You should do some singing. Maybe next time. I’ve heard you. You’re good.

Thanks. Maybe.

Interviewer:

Alberto does some. Singing.

Mark:

Yeah. Great guy. Good pipes.

Interviewer:

Is he sticking around.

Mark:

Yeah. As far as I know. Haven’t heard anything otherwise. You. Heard of something.

Interviewer:

Nope. Well Mark. I’m not going to keep you any longer. Great to see you. Good luck with the album.

Mark:

Thanks. Thanks for comin’ out. Pretty long drive.

Interviewer:

Yeah a little. Well then Good Luck.

Mark:

Thanks. you too.