Hello fans,
First we would like to thank you for the thoughts you put into your questions. We have now received Mark K answers (Thanks to a journalist friend , who interviewed him last week).
Again thank you and happy reading!
FanShake
Q: Do you ever regret some of the head bands worn in videos?
A: I used to wear them because I had hair in those days and I was sweating on stage! I don’t regret it at all…
Q: What’s it like playing in front of thousands of fans ?
A: It’s still a great pleasure. And I feel very lucky to be able to do this at my age. But I do exercise, I bicycle, and I walk. I have to be in shape!
Q: First of all I must say I am only 18 and was brought up on your music and I love it!! I am learning guitar and I love your style! My question is where did you find your inspiration for this style of playing guitar?
A: There was no inspiration, only practice. I sometimes regret not to have practiced more! I’d be a better musician today.
Q: I have a million questions! When did you know you wanted to play guitar?
A: As soon as i saw my first live show… I knew I wanted a guitar! I wanted it badly. And for me, it was an impossible dream, not sustainable. So I had to fight to make my dream come true.
Q: Mark, Is there anything that you miss from the Dire Straits days?
A: Nothing at all ! I quit because I was tired of those huge tours. It had become so impersonal. But I’m still friends with the guys. I recently played with John for his birthday party. Guy was there, Chris too. We had a lot of fun. But reforming is of no interest to me.
Q: Mr. Knopfler, What kind of things inspire you to do what you do musically?
A: I have no idea.
Q: After “love over gold” and “telegraph road”, what else was there left to say?
A: - I want to make one or two good records and it’s very difficult to do. But that’s the only thing I’m interested in, to be honest… I know we’ll have a lot of fun on tour, but I still want to write good songs and make good records.
- The record that will change people’s lives ?
- Yes, absolutely. That’s what people do with music that I made 30 years ago… I don’t make music to stay for five minutes. «Brother in arms» is still a song people love… I think I can make better records all the time.
Q: What did you think about your future when you were young?
A: I was dreaming of that career!!!
Q: Will you come to France with the dire straits a day, it would be a very great pleasure to see you on scene.. See you soon I hope
No answer, however, their European tour starts in May with his group. A concert is slated in France at Bercy and the Olympia.
Q: Hello Mr. Knopfler,Today we have alot of impact through popular culture on our behaviour as society. What different musical movements do you think have had the most influence on people and what does that have to do with your perspective? I mean -do you project your work or reflect it?
A: Some of my songs changed people’s lives, that’s what they keep telling me. So that’s why I keep playing “Brother in arms”, “Sultan of swings” or “Romeo and Juliette”. But I don’t project on anything when I write. I sometimes don’t even know what my songs are about. It just comes naturally to me. So there’s no perspective… If you look forward to tomorrow you’re doing pretty well. There are so many people who don’t even have a job. What do I have to complain about? Absolutely nothing.
Q: Who is biggest artist you ever worked with?
A: Bob Dylan. Right from the release of his first album he became a reference. It was so impressive working with him; I was still the 12year old fan. The child who meets his idol, it was like a dream coming true!
Tags: dire straits, interview, mark knopfler, music
October 1st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
[...] “I want to make one or two good records and it’s very difficult to do. But that’s the only thing I’m interested in, to be honest… I know we’ll have a lot of fun on tour, but I still want to write good songs and make good records” – FanShake.com [...]
October 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pm
thank you for the music…. get lucky is amazing. I grew up listening to sultans of swing…romeo and juliette . I was 13 then.. and now I’m almost 50… When will you be in Italy.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I do hope to see Mark K. in the Southern U.S. (close to Mississippi). I have never had the chance to see him live. Please come!!!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’m french people, and i am not very good in English …But i want to say this thing: If i like “Brothers in arms” “You and your friend” “Télégraph road” (What a difficulty to play the end whith a mediator…) I like very much your songs of today : “Madame Geneva’s” “So far from the Clyde ” for exemple. I think there are in the same “spirit” that ” Suzanne ” and others songs of Leonard Cohen. “The partisan” and “Brothers in arms”,”Madame Geneva’s and Suzanne”…Yes the same poetry. Thank you…
October 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
I am fortunate to have tickets for the new tour when it comes to Chicago. I was in college during the Dire Straits days and ended up buying every cd they put out. I also own all of Marks’ solo work as well. Some of my favorites include the live version of Once upon a time in the west, On every street, Brothers in arms, 6 blade knife, Romeo and Juliet, Skateaway, Sultans of Swing, Sailing to philadelphia, Hill farmer’s blues, All the Road running, So far from the clyde, Darling Pretty- the list goes on.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:57 am
I really Enjoy Mark’s music it has inspired me to play guitar ever since I was about 5 years old. I wanted a red stratocaster guitar. It was a Squire at the time, I enjoyed playing it up till I had bought signature model. His music has changed my life. I am part of the younger crowed I am 22 years old I have been listening and playing since I was 5 1/2 and writing since I was about 16. I don’t expect to make it big but if it happens it happens and I give all my credit to Mark and His band.