Musician Mark Allen isn't exactly a newcomer to the scene, but under his new name, My Mourning Belle, Allen reinvents himself as a one-man show.
He teamed up with Lockjaw's Medavon to write and release this year's "A Place You Hope to Find." The EP is personal, intimate and strong -- a moving collection of songs that translate the spectrum of emotions marking the coda of his former band, Governor Fuzz, and the beginning of his career as a singer / songwriter.
The music itself is dynamic, incorporating acoustic guitar with pop melodies and the occasional electronic blip. Lyrically, he's reflective and honest and it's easy to see why he references the likes of Ryan Adams and Pete Yorn as influences.
We recently caught up with Allen to talk about his break out as a solo musician.
OnMilwaukee.com: You've been a member of a band in the past, but for the last year you've been making a go of a solo career as a musician. Why?
Mark Allen: Becoming a solo artist was definitely the next step for me. Being in a band is similar to a relationship in that compromise is constant. You have to manage egos, conflicting schedules and creative differences. At this point in my life, I'm not interested in that. I'd rather have the freedom to pursue my own path.
OMC: What motivated the switch?
MA: The motivation was the demise of my last band. After we broke up, I was left to pick up the pieces and start over again. I was reluctant to devout more time and energy into another band only to endure a probable break-up. I decided that, moving forward, I didn't want to have to rely on other people to make music.
OMC: Tell me about your debut EP as My Mourning Belle.
MA: Given that this is my first project as a solo artist, I do see "A Place You Hope to Find" as an introduction to me as a musician and, more specifically, as a songwriter. My collaboration with Medavon was initially an experiment. What started as a one-song project eventually turned into an EP. I have to admit, because we have very different musical tastes, I didn't know what to expect when we started working together. However, I was very pleased with the end result. I think Medavon managed to inject his own personality while remaining true to my vision.
OMC: The announcement for your record release says you're playing an acoustic set. Is this atypical? Are you usually plugged in?
MA: My shows are typically solo acoustic sets. However, I am entertaining the idea of having a live band in the future.
OMC: Once the record is out, can we expect to see more of you around town? Any plans for the summer festival circuit?
MA: After the release, I'll definitely be looking to perform more, both in the Milwaukee area and regionally. I will also be touring the West Coast in September.
My Mourning Belle plays Friday, June 6 at the Up and Under Pub.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
