Übermensch Mark Mallman: Having More Fun Than You Are

It’s hard to capture the ardent fervor that embodies the live shows of Mark Mallman. On several occasions he’s left his own performances with broken bones, dislocated shoulders and blood wounds. Twice, he’s performed one song longer than the span of a day. And his latest album was written in the haunted basement of a converted church from the 1800s.

Classically trained on the piano since the age of three and classically rock trained by his father and friends, the Milwaukee born Mallman has been crafting his ivory infused style of music for around three decades now.

“I took generic piano lessons as a kid, progressing quite quickly and started playing shit you’d hear at a wedding,” he said.

Early in his musical teachings there was a real distaste in the classical side of the piano for Mallman. Talking to him there was a certain “function” he said, which classical music was missing, and for Mallman it was “playing rock songs that gave music a function.”

Nicknamed by some as “the fastest piano in the Midwest” it’s always been the unpredictable pizzazz surrounding Mallman’s shows that has made his fan base so fond of him, but really it’s hard to pinpoint whether it’s Mallman himself or his fans that get more out his performances.

“When I step on stage it is my one personal escape [from] time,” he said. “When I step on the stage it’s fun time for me, that is my relaxation time.” A relaxation time that might confuse most when at any given moment Mallman could very well be straddling the keyboard he plays.

When Mallman comes to Fargo this Friday he will be touring his new album recently released on Badman Records, “Invincible Criminal.” It is an album where “crime was the theme,” Mallman said. Each of his albums has a concept going into its production, “But you have to think, how do I make each record from the last one? Your downfall is when you think you’ve achieved greatness.”

Invincible Criminal, as one reviewer put it, is “Mallman’s best work yet.” The album itself embodies a mature grasp on rock. With rhythm heavy upbeat songs such as “Invincible Criminal,” “White Leather Days” and collaborated piano ballads like “You’re never alone in New York” and “In Times of Harsh Economy,” Mallman encapsulates his dedication to the craft.

This was also the first time on one of his solo albums where Mallman has written songs in collaboration with other artists. Long time friend Shannon Frid is highlighted on Mallman’s ballad for John Dillinger’s lady in red, “In times of Harsh Economy.” And Hold Steady singer Craig Finn is featured on “You’re Never Alone in New York,” a song which owes itself to the work of the postal service. “Technology has always defined where music has gone,” Mallman said. On “You’re never alone in New York,” Finn and Mallman mailed one another files back and forth editing the song as each new track was received.

Talking to Mallman one perceives a man who takes nothing for granted in his responsibilities as musician. “All music is an intense collaboration, you get the best people you can and let them be themselves,” he said. “My name represents a lot of people’s help. Yeah it’s my name and my vision, but I couldn’t do it without a lot of people’s help.”

It’s an intense compassion for writing and performing which has fueled the underground train of Mark Mallman. With a highly anticipated album just released and a full band behind him for tour, Mallman will undoubtedly bring the pumping sensation his live shows possess with him to Fargo this Friday. According to Mallman, “People always say they had a blast at my shows and I always say I had more fun than anyone there.” Hopefully, this will be put to the test.

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INFO:

Who: Mark Mallman
When: Fri, Sept 11, 9:30pm
Where: Aquarium
Cost: $5, 21+