MARK HOLLIS INTERVIEW - Talk Talk, Making Spirit Of Eden & Laughing Stock

[@CLIVEGRAHAME]

He had a unquestionable voice and his music is still stunning- today ❤ and I still enjoyable to listen to … thank you for leaving a marvellous legacy 🎸😇

[@mariadefatimademenezes8304]

A Voz mais linda que já ouvi👏👏 Cantava com alma, como é Maravilhoso poder ver seus vídeos ❤ Tudo perfeito!!! A Melhor Banda do Planeta🙏

[@johnhowell5882]

He's not gone, it's just the silence before the next tone he plays will be for a very long time.

[@livtjrnelund5816]

Yeah his soul lives forever and I’m in love with his Voice❤

[@alanashore9570]

🤟

[@nickgrant6480]

Just got into these talk talk records very sad to know he's passed the records aren't going away they are timeless

[@MrsCairns-hg2su]

Thank You, John Howell. I almost wept after I read your poignant comment. The weight of it. So beautiful.

[@Fly_Butterfly_Fly]

Such a...... beautiful comment...😢😢😢 💞🌟🫂🪐🙏💫

[@RodneyMunch8767]

When he said "feeling is above technique" it really hit home for me. I have never understood the literal lyrics of Talk Talk songs but the feeling has always come through.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

I can feel technique.

[@meredithhopkins1411]

The jazz influences and Mark's talent put Talk Talk light years ahead of ALL the other UK bands. And I do mean ALL!

[@711honved]

Hollis was a true musical genius, his work with Talk Talk was nothing short of remarkable. I played his music loud & often on my beloved Technics hi-fi system. Left an indelible mark on the music scene & left this life far too early. Thanks for the great times. RIP Mark David Hollis 4/1/1955 to 25/2/2019. Thanks for posting this interview & insight into a very private man.

[@retter2critical]

Thanks for listening and sharing also.

[@IndianaRose.]

Technics stack. Volume 11

[@sarahjohns5277]

Port Film Co-op Just wanted to ask if you know when this interview took place? And does anybody know yet how poor Mark died? Thank you and thank you for uploading this for us too. ❤️

[@711honved]

@@sarahjohns5277 Mark retired from the music industry & successfully managed to merge back into the shadows of normality. Other than his love of motorbiking & his Ducati Monster bike very little is known about his private life. Even in death he remains a mystery. I'm not even sure he died on 25th Feb, 2019 as reported. He resigned from his music publishing company on 24th Feb which leads me to believe he may have died on 23rd Feb or earlier. We only know he died following a short illness & the rest is conjecture. Rejoice his life & the great body of work he left behind.

[@fernandoPessoa8]

Yeah. These masterpieces MUST be listen as loud as it gets. Thank you for this point of view

[@HollisZheng]

He was born ten years and ten days before me and we share the same name. I wish I also had his pure brilliance.

[@duckface524]

Wow that's cool

[@eliastatetraveling]

@Mark Hollis You do, somewhere.

[@DrLuke49]

Mark it is never too late to get started.

[@_zahia]

Incredible.

[@agneschardin9768]

I would never tire of his voice, either when he was speaking or singing. I love it to madness. I have listened to him every day for years, he has passed through my life and that of many others, it's huge what he leaves us in "legacy". I have been devastated since his death. An immense artist, a wonderful man. It was already missing terribly, it will be missed forever. I would listen to it until my own death. Thank you Mark, you're the biggest in my heart ... goodbye 💔💔💔💔🖤🖤🖤😪😪😪

[@omarsalam9973]

Agnès Chardin you wrote exactly what I wanted to say..

[@agneschardin9768]

Thank you so much Omar, I am very touched.

[@omarsalam9973]

Thank you Agnės for your sweet emotions ..

[@70sbabe]

Beautifully said his legacy has left many of us with so much depth into music and life, taken far too soon.

[@stuartstravels1640]

It great to hear the voice of a man who’s creative genius played a huge part of the soundtrack to my life. If there was ever a man who never created music for the money, it was him. He comes across as so genuine and humble, an absolute genius, a unique human being indeed!.

[@strtrst]

Thanks for editing this down to Marks’ comments. I played Spirit of Eden to my 90 year old mother the other day and she was so moved and fascinated by the music. It goes to show the genius of Talk talk and the undying love for timeless music which is so rare. I still get excited to find a quiet time listen to both spirit and laughing stock, because it releases so many emotions which are locked inside. Thanks talk talk, my redeemer!

[@MrsCairns-hg2su]

Thank you so much for posting this. It is really SO good to hear Mark's voice again. What a great human being.

[@retter2critical]

Thank you. Spread the word.

[@madlenbochmann3644]

I'm so glad that this interview is running without the questions . So You can follow Mark into his mind. When I listen to him, I can't do anything else, 'cause I'm caught . He was such an eloquent and fascinating man, with a wonderful way to get into Your heart and mind. His voice and flow of speaking calm me down and give me peace. What a loss for all !

[@Hoophey]

A quiet genius.......who didn't want the spotlight and who can blame him.

[@Cserka100]

Sajnos nem értem, de még a beszédhangja is gyönyörű, bársonyos, kellemes, egyedi. Drága csillagom.💖💔💯

[@Cserka100]

❤

[@PerAnkh418]

Marks voice is mesmerising. A big Big influence in my youth. A remarkable singer & song writer! The only one with such a voice. 🙌 ❤️ 🎶 🙏

[@peekabooska9301]

Love to listen to Mark and go on with my music as he says ... in the present... I miss this attitude of imperfection and improvisation these days. RIP Mark and yes years later we realize what we had with your music.

[@AmbientShrub]

I could listen to that man sing for hours. Its much like attending a sacred sermon

[@elsieeaglestone2374]

i love hearing his voice, he has so much enthusiasm for the music. I was actually listening to Spirit of Eden when i read the sad news, i was in shock, my age and now he is gone. His poor family, i so feel for them

[@RikskePatat]

The group that could touch that special thing in my mind what none other musicians were able to, it was so soothing and a relief, complete brilliance. Whatever music came around, when on my own, Talk Talk was always like coming home.R.i.p. Genius.

[@sandratansley8764]

Yes

[@TheHowingFantods]

Such a fascinating musician and artist. And the music… divine.

[@Brytons_Thoughts]

It’s October 24th around 9:15 PM. I literally just found out that he had passed away almost 8 months ago. I’m in absolute shock, especially the fact that I didn’t hear a single peep about this until just this moment. A few months ago I actually sold it’s my life on vinyl, something about it bothered me, when I sold it I mean. Now I know why. I will never forget the first time I listened to spirit of Eden, it blew me away in the same way that surfer Rosa by the pixies blew away Kurt Cobain. It was literally an otherworldly experience that I never have ever heard before. It was absolutely shocking to find out it was released on a major label. Laughing stock is fantastic too, but so is the rest of the talk talk discography. But his solo record is truly beautiful. I remember one person on a comment section on KZbin said that he was the British Brian Wilson. I think that is absolutely fitting for the mindset of Mark. He was a guy that had no musical experience, but he saw music in a completely different way that not many artists ever will. God bless his contribution towards music and may he rest in peace.

[@lovedaybebe5881]

How utterly beautiful 🙏 such a gorgeous soul 🙏

[@RayBeattie]

This guy was just beautiful man The space between silence is

[@Vortigan07]

I wish there was hours and hours of audio of him just talking like this, expressing his musical ideas. He would have been a genius in any age. RIP mate.

[@retter2critical]

Me too. Thanks for checking it out.

[@DrLuke49]

Mark Hollis was, is and forever shall be one of the really true unsung artists of the modern music world. ***R.I.P.***

[@iYowan]

The day that The Colour Of Spring was released I was (even more) hooked with Talk Talk, with the unrivaled 'Happiness Is Easy''. I can play that over and over and never get tired of it. Next both albums and his solo effort are in my list of 50 favourite abums to take with me when i have to choose between my 7500 vinyl collection. 'Spirit Of Eden' and 'Laughing Stock' remain on all my playlists. Mr Hollis was and will remain a true musical genius who did nothing less then inspiring so much more artists and bands that came after him. He never worked with David Sylvian. That would've been a wonderful collaboration. Rest in peace dear mr Hollis and thank you for creating space in my and others lives.

[@tristanyoung4161]

What has he to do with david sylvian????

[@LorcaLoca]

David Sylvian was an influence on him.

[@sandratansley8764]

Really?

[@ericamac3525]

David Sylvian is another musically gifted man. All the way back from his days in the band Japan right through his solo career for many decades since. Sylvian has musically influenced many artists. Mark Hollis has done the same. Both very natural with their musical gifts

[@SquirrelRIP]

A genius and a gentleman

[@GraveyardPoet]

I wrote an essay about Spirit of Eden on Pop Matters for its 30th anniversary (September 2018). One of my top 5 favorite albums, alongside Storm in Heaven, Gene Clark - No Other, Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies, Alice Coltrane - Journey in Satchidananda. Spirit of Eden was as poetic in 1988 as Astral Weeks was in 1968, one of my favorite albums of that decade, alongside Songs of Leonard Cohen, Scott 3 & 4, Five Leaves Left, Townes Van Zandt.

[@delphineg3045]

Thanks for this comment. Is there any place to read this essay?

[@GraveyardPoet]

@@delphineg3045 Pop Matters published my essay about Spirit of Eden on their website for the album's 30th anniversary (September 2018).

[@delphineg3045]

@@GraveyardPoet I found it. Thank you very much!

[@AnthonyBadenSaggers]

I compliment you on your taste!

[@delphineg3045]

Listening to Mark is very soothing, even better than relaxation music. I'm wondering, Does anyone have the ability to calculate the frequency of Mark's voice in hertz?

[@lovedaybebe5881]

Agreed it’s like a meditation , the cadence is exquisite 🙏 I think we can hear his soul 🙏 and it’s beautiful 🙏

[@poppyd517]

amazing tender voice. RIP

[@loneandaloof]

Thanks for uploading.Wonderful to hear Mark talk about his process.

[@birdscds47]

Discovered/heard him on the radio this evening, then looked up his name and played the album on spotifi, then bought his solo album, great work.

[@isauraleite9258]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 JAÚ SP 28/09/2022, AMO TALK TALK. OBRIGADO POR FAZER PARTE DA MINHA ADOLESCÊNCIA, E PARTE DA MINHA VIDA... OUÇO, TODOS OS DIAS, SOU VICIADA NA VOZ DO NOSSO GENIO MUSICAL, RIP MARK DAVID HOLLIS.... LUTO ETERNO NA MÚSICA, GRANDE PERDA, MAS, ISSO NAO ME IMPEDE DE OUVI-LO TODOS OS DIAS . ÓTIMAS RECORDAÇÕES. VC MERECE 👏👏👏👏👏 EM PÉ... GRATIDÃO 😍😍

[@seamless_rhymes]

What a great interview! I only discovered Talk Talk recently which is unfortunate, but they are becoming one of my favourites. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@karisma369]

There are times in all of our lives that there is not enough time to seek and dive into bands, or any type of music to swim in....and sometimes its just not our time to discover the deeper pool of something. I myself, always liked them, and fell in love w/"It's My Life," the first time hearing it as a teen. Here I am now @ 53 and FINALLY dived into their catalog and am enthralled with them. Like Mark says here...time zone. I'm grateful for them.

[@nickpowell1]

Oh My God RIP you beautiful man.

[@drdavidsands]

Genius - thinking and creating - outside of the constraints of ‘the box’ - just genius and forever fresh.

[@timmybrown2340]

Brilliant & Genius - massively overused words these days - not in this case - also obviously lovely bloke is appropriate - love him

[@daisyrees1594]

An insperation in my personal musical development. I miss him.

[@cathsalazar9930]

He’s such an interesting genius ty for this great interview with Mark aHollis ty for this insightful thoughts from him rip dude always in my heart ty for all u gave 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸💯🔥😻💋

[@scienceisgod1]

Miss his music!

[@davidportas4141]

best band ever on this plant, ever !

[@Wilantonjakov]

I haven't heard Mr. Hollis speak much, but it's clear to me from what I have heard that he was an incredibly deep and thoughtful man, that always had a clear reason for whatever he put into his music. Mark was a truly special person... it's sad that he's gone and that there aren't more like him. But maybe the latter is a good thing.

[@retter2critical]

Absolutely.

[@patandrews4760]

So underrated…… so brilliant. Love love❤️

[@cathsalazar9930]

A legendary musician no one will reach this he was special blessed to have his great music ty Mark no one songs like u nor will they ever b this fabulous missin u & lovein u 37 years always will taken way to f in soooooon damnit!

[@TheSharkey22]

Found this interview with Mark after reading Phill Brown's autobiography "Are We still rolling?". Phill's writing is not as good as his sound engineering but the book is interesting and entertaining. He writes at length about recording Spirit of Eden, Mark Hollis' solo album and .O.Rang. The colour of Spring is one of my favourite and most played albums and Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock are timeless albums that will live forever and always sound fresh. It is a shame that EMI executives didn't recognise the vision and depth of SOE and Laughing Stock at the time. The loss of Mark Hollis and Scott Walker so close together was a real shocker. Both were extraordinary innovators and creative geniuses. I believe that they had quite similar approach to creating the music that they leave behind. Both will be sadly missed. Check out "The Drift" by Scott Walker if you have not already heard it. Turn the lights down and play it loud.

[@telsutton]

I heard The Drift about five minutes after it hit the net, on the cans in the dark.... almost shat myself.

[@williamj.6418]

I'm just getting into this band. Very interesting stuff.

[@dw89music73]

Yeah, both Spirit Of Eden and Laughing Stock were light years ahead of their time. I even own both of those albums. Magnificent and beautiful works of art.

[@johngilligan457]

I've never heard so much hurt in an album. A band struggling with their demons. For me the greatest production of any album ever

[@kenbley5115]

Sorry... Rest in peace Mark Hollis... Gave you a hero's welcome to my friends..

[@MegaSnippezz]

I Believe In You is by far one of the most heartbreaking, emotional pieces of music I've ever heard.

[@retter2critical]

ABSOLUTELY!! And its Christian rock ....

[@sarahjohns5277]

Port Film Co-op Yes. I don’t know if Mark was a Christian but I’d be extremely surprised to hear if he wasn’t. So much of his music had Christian overtones and lyrics. I love you Mark and just hearing your voice brings me to tears again. You are always in my heart and prayers and I hope we all meet up on the other side. Godbless you. ❤️

[@debralarue2596]

​@@retter2criticalI believe in you was about his brother Ed. Happiness is Easy makes it very clear that he mistrusted Christianity. He was fascinated by religion. Studying religious history tends to make a person Buddhist. Christian rock? Nope.

[@retter2critical]

@@debralarue2596 Its a Christian album, do your research.

[@chazboner7041]

Port Film Co-op Amen

[@RossRossiter]

the delicacy and beauty of this album still stuns me. I heard they made an album that they hoped the label would hate, no obvious singles etc, all to try and get out of a shonky contract.

[@racheldoesacrylic4089]

what a diamond bloke with a diamond voice with a diamond legacy // talk talk was before its time

[@MrsCairns-hg2su]

Mark Hollis is an outstanding example of how social class will never dictate intelligence.

[@martever2012]

Indeed....he was the genius who created the post rock genre. And he paid for it

[@_Only_Zuul]

i didn't know that mark died. 😢😢😢 i was just listening to SOE and COS yesterday..

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

Good interview.

[@Hesho1962]

The Voice of my happy times back in 80's ,..... Music gets related with occasion

[@Tudhaliya]

Eternal.

[@andorrasrevenge1683]

This album feels like a discovery. A grand scene.

[@JHollowayNetwork]

Formerly a new wave/synthpop output among their peers (Duran Duran, Human League, Roxy Music, Flock of Seagulls etc...), they were the pioneers of the "Post-rock" genre with their post-It's My Life experimental albums.

[@retter2critical]

Yep

[@duncanpriestley964]

Simple. We can all analyse what made this man and his music so great but it's pretty simple. Simple if you're born with an ear like he had.

[@kenbley5115]

Pretty sad... Always wanted some sort of tour that I'm sure we all were... But this guy (the band) was my favorite in the 80s... Really... Nobody played like these guys...

[@suncity22001]

There must be other tracks and or demo sessions somewhere...

[@BillBadMule123]

🥰😍🤩😘🥳❤💯💢💫👍👍👍

[@dubhdavidblack2094]

I haven't been able to comment on really anything MH/TT-related before because it's all somehow too personal maybe, the way that their work has affected us. I was 14 when It's My Life album came out, and it was the first CD I ever owned. I was *so* onboard for their evolution, the albums each seemed to explain important things to me as i grew up. Spirit of Eden has probably had the most impact on my world-view overall, though it and Laughingstock feel like 2 parts of a whole. If anyone reads this far, for sure we each sort if imprint our own wants and interpretations on MH as a person in addition to the music, and I'm asking this with pure intent/no agenda: I wonder if others think MH would be considered 'on the spectrum ' by today's understanding? I am myself, though didn't get diagnosed until quite recently and I'm in my 50s now. But as a then-undiagnosed 14yo kid who'd temporarily dropped out of school because (haha) we didn't understand that i was autistic, MH and TT were my constant companions. There was *so much* in the timbres, the tempos, the arrangements, even the artwork and particular scrawl of the lyric sheet that resonated with me, way beyond anything else previously and precious few albums after. Those complex resonances carried through the remainder of MH's recordings. The final 2 TT albums certainly seem to elicit similar feelings in many other autistic people besides me, so I'm curious if others here might have wondered this too. *Of course*, whether or not MH was or wasn't on-the-spectrum or any other deeply personal aspect of his autonomous self is of no consequence, there's no up/down criteria implied, but us animals always seek to better understand, yeah?

[@brendanriley5163]

The fade out felt really sad

[@OlgaSepulveda-pp3dq]

He was such a a beautiful man.

[@HesseJamez]

R.I.P.

[@JackyRowe]

Does anybody know the provenance of this interview? Who conducted it, when, where, was an abridged transcript printed somewhere?...

[@kellymelrose8527]

didnt even know he died ... RIP mark ..

[@zanolande719]

Profound Words here

[@hollisjasmina69]

He was my life - for nearly 40 years. Now without

[@73trout]

Anyone know if a transcript exists for this?

[@evelynegarcia8780]

On ne peut pas avoir l'interview en français merci

[@delphineg3045]

Vous cliquez sur les paramètres (la petite roue) au bas de la vidéo, puis sous-titres > traduire automatiquement > français. Et vous cliquez sur le petit rectangle Sous-titres pour qu'ils apparaissent au bas de la vidéo.

[@thesoundofsilence77]

who is the name that he mentions @ 13:49?

[@funksoulbrother3620]

Roland Kirk

[@devillehall6171]

Rahsaan Roland Kirk , a blind multi instrumentalist Jazz musician ....a genius!