Mark Hollis (Talk Talk) interview 1998

Found this old vhs tape of an interview I did with Mark Hollis for Danish television. Around the time of the release of his solo album. It's the raw footage, not the edited version that ended up on tv. Sorry about the timecode in picture, and the pour sound quality - and please disregard my questions, they were never meant for broadcast. It cuts off very abruptly, and there is another 20 minutes or so, on another tape somewhere. I'll keep looking for that.
Some of this interview is quoted in the wonderful book by Ben Wardle - Mark Hollis a Perfect Silence.
If anyone knows how to reach mr Wardle, please let him know this exists, maybe he could use more for any future editions of the book - and maybe he'll credit me this time (the credit in the first edition is wrong - since they had no way of knowing, that it really was me interviewing Mark).
R.I.P. Mark Hollis. You were a special talent!
Update: I found the tape with the extra 20 minutes, but unfortunately the quality is even worse than this one, and cannot be used here.

[@regplasma7906]

Mark was a lovely guy and one of the greatest singers of all time. So badly missed.

[@OlafProt]

I didn't realise you could sing like that. Bend the phrasing of words. The way he sang (on Happiness is Easy) "sublime the blind parade" just foxed me. I was 13, into Queen and Dire straits. This was something else. It changed me.

[@fossilmatic]

He really is the Man Who Escaped, isn’t he? That is as equally inspiring as the music he left for others to share.

[@gerardfeisvuc1241]

😎 simple, the Matrix cant handle Mark.

[@VoiceGawd]

I was saddened and angered simultaneously when I learned of his death. More than his music I respected him for his priorities. The fact that he stepped out of the public eye to devote himself to being a father and a husband speaks volumes of his character.

[@mava8826]

It absolutly does

[@DanHunterSportsWriter]

Why were you angered? I think I get where you were coming from but I'm curious

[@pitchforkcustom]

@@DanHunterSportsWriteryou can be angered someone is taken.. that’s how i took it. 👍

[@AuraSparks]

@@DanHunterSportsWriter anger is one of the stages of grief

[@chicagoam1]

Strangely, I was somewhat angered, too. I wasn't quite sure why, I just felt a unique human being with such an immense and undervalued contribution to humanity was gone, and it wasn't shouted from the hilltops of worldwide media just how important he was..... and how he would never know exactly how important he was to so many lives...then, now, and in the future... I just introduced him to a new friend of mine that is 62years old. I played "After The Flood" for her, and she was immediately in awe. you will live on, Mark, and thank you....

[@shane-porter]

Oh my. He is such a sweet man. This brings a tear to my eye.

[@meredithhopkins1411]

He was amazing as a musician. He was superior as a song writer to all his UK contemporaries. The fact that he left it all to rear his children makes Mark Hollis a true genius with his priorities in life intact. .He was lightyears beyond ALL the other people in the industry.

[@roeneschuetz]

„Before you play two notes learn how to play one note. It‘s as simple as that really. And don‘t play one note unless you got a reason to play it.“ Thank you Mark for this. So absolutely true.

[@gilmour81]

Every few years i find myself on a Talk Talk/Mark Hollis full on bender, all day and all night the music consumes me. Then time goes by and i drift here there and everywhere on to something else. Right now i am slap bang in the middle of yet another hopeless bender and come across this nugget of gold. Having only seen interviews in the 80s its actually quite shocking to see and hear him talk about all of his work in the past tense, and knowing what we all know now this really was the end. I have no idea what he was like as a person nor do i really care, all i know is the music he created will be a tonic i will use until the day i die.

[@gilmour81]

By the way i forgot to add, thank you Ruune for this!

[@robyourtime]

Recommend Ben Wardle's book. The most detail you'll likely ever get about Mark's life

[@josilvester9159]

I'm on that bender too 😂

[@jennyfabig7565]

I know bis music aß the beginning 1984 aß talk talk. Bis music and bis Voice wäre füll of real Live. Als Love. Love him Form the first Moment. Bis Voice and his music is deep into my heart för ever. Thats zur reason I Love him For Every Time.

[@tracyproctor2043]

Me too

[@tothelighthouse9843]

This is a very very special interview. So much of Mark's sincerity, humour & musical searching are on display here. Well done, & thanks for sharing. We miss you, Mark. I'm still poring over all the wonders you left for us.

[@cymatic83]

This guy was a genius in the truest sense. Talk Talk's creative trajectory deserves to be studied in music school. The way they blossomed from a relatively basic synth pop band to a highly experimental group of post-rock trailblazers, shedding any preconceptions of genre or music industry expectations and ended up creating some of the highest musical experiences I've ever heard. Just epic, and so vastly underrated.

[@lytlejason]

wonderfully put...thank you

[@maryfrance1187]

I do agree with you 🙏 What a gorgeous artist ❤️ Incredible musical universe in his late album. 🎶🎵What a Gem 💎

[@joannewilkinson3059]

Couldn’t agree more, amazing music.

[@ownedbymykitty270]

I wouldn’t call their first act as “basic”. They were quite special and unique in the early 80s as well.

[@JasonPhippsProducer]

This is probably one of the most important interviews of Mark and his music ever done. Brilliant brilliant interview.

[@scottkinne9760]

One of the most underrated Group of talent in modern music history

[@alanashore9570]

Talk Talk should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I am disappointed they are not. I know Mark wouldn't be bothered about it because he was all about the Music and not the fame. ❤💔💐🦋👄👄👄

[@graememcfee23]

underrated i dont think so talk talk were legends

[@tangfastic7075]

You're not allowed to say underrated anymore. It's been over-used. Under-appreciated is more appropriate ( says the sneery clever clogs).

[@hugostieglitz238]

Musical genius, I believe.

[@nakedrecordclub11]

How GREAT to see this. There is so little footage of Mark after the 1980's era that you find yourself hanging on every word of what he says here because you know there is nothing more to come. Thank you for sharing this!🙌

[@maristephan2616]

That's so accurately noticed!

[@rayman17578]

I just found a pic of him from 2008 on Reddit

[@neclauss9]

Yes, Mark was a Genius. I still can't believe he's gone...

[@ghettoqueenpapaya]

Same 😢

[@Najain]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@rgsimon]

This interview is pure gold. Thanks for sharing.

[@jacksonmiked]

An extraordinary interview from a musical genius. Mark was a true visionary of the recording and writing process.

[@mcal27]

Yes indeed, but the other guys in the group are immensely talented too. Paul Webb’s solo work (Rustinman) is equally as impressive imho

[@tompoynton]

@@mcal27Yeah I feel the others get unfairly looked over, incredible musicians

[@GRSM000]

what a great soul....no show, no painted face....just an human and his art. Society sucks.

[@adeleassouline529]

Mark has got it all , all we need these days

[@LPW638]

The most talented artists are almost always 'under the radar types' it seems. They have little need for shameless self-promotion or putting on airs and graces. The art speaks for itself.

[@pal-of-pals]

Any time spent listening to Mark Hollis talk is time well spent.

[@malcolmclarke3033]

This man was a musical genius, way ahead of his time. Such a sad loss. RIP Mark.

[@PONCALIPER]

He's reencarnated maybe now

[@saskiakneulman7275]

Such a honest interview, what a privilege to be able to watch this unedited version, thank you so much for sharing it! The integrity is touchable, it's enchanting and very moving, what a treasure!

[@tju9470]

Brilliant questions! Brilliant knowledge and understanding of him and his career! I think, that's why Mark opened up so willingly. Also, you gave him the moments of silence he needed to even open up more. Thank you for your work and for uploading this interview!

[@genenebruwer390]

Mark Hollis 1955 - 2019 - forever. An absolute musical genius, who was in fact completely underrated.

[@geoffreylogsdon162]

Wow wow wow! Thank you. This is a Holy Grail interview with an elusive genius. The last thing he wanted to do was talk, talk.

[@ibellchristian9773]

He was genius who didn't like the limelight just let his music do the talking. God bless you Mark.

[@mycupoftea778]

Can't believe I am actually watching this: craved for this for 25 years.

[@SMW9754]

Mark is genius❤

[@mattiodowd3209]

Ya! Why am I just seeing this now

[@OlafProt]

Their performance at Montreux Jazz Festival is like a band shaking off the pop shackles. Quite extraordinary

[@sailorlac]

It breaks my heart, so talented, sensitive kind and sweet guy.

[@nowthisisfuuun]

I cannot express how grateful I am for this upload!

[@mv11000]

Love how he genuinely and sincerely tries to answer the questions about his music as well as he can

[@TheOriginalPeanutGallery]

Oh. Thank you for sharing this! I love that this is the "raw" footage. As much as I enjoyed he broadcast cut of this interview, it's always interesting to see the interview in it's entirety, with all the pauses and watching him try to formulate his replies in a way he's happy about. Please upload that other section. You were just about to discuss my fav song on Laughing Stock! 😮❤ PS. Your voice is fine. :)

[@louisetaylor6348]

Utterly remarkable. Just lost for words. The most amazing human being. I listen to him every day ❤

[@guyincogneeto9034]

If possible could you please upload the final 20 minutes? Even if the visuals are bad we would love to listen. Or perhaps someone could even help with clearing it up

[@9ner]

His music has a feverishly possessing quality about it and doesn't let go until the last note. when I think of masterpieces, I think of his work. absolutely riveting, something that should be launched into deep space to showcase humanity's worth.

[@AL_iVe_now]

Hey Rune. Thank you SO much for uploading this. I m watching it on loop since yesterday as he just confirmes tons of the believes I put my music for years now (e.g. improvising every track ... one take first take ... reducing / avoiding loops ... not wanting to be a playback juke box for fans ...) I downloaded the video to improve the audio ... if you're interested in getting it give me a sign - best greetinx!

[@motiyona]

Genius ... it's heartwarming to see him enjoying delving into & sharing his way of conceiving these incredible works of art ... I hope one day we'll love in a world that affords artists like Mark the resources & space to continue creating timeless masterpieces as he & the teams he's assembled have ... forever grateful for this man's inspiration & talents 🙏🏼💛🙏🏼

[@polar_fox24]

How attentive he is to his interlocutor and how he is completely open. I like the way he explains quite complicated things. He has a very kind soul.

[@chadglass7705]

His explanations about music and the way he conceptualizes it, his method, ethos, the importance of silence, etc.... is utterly extraordinary.

[@samuraininjarockstar9355]

He has such a unique presence, genuinely in awe of him…

[@thefxautopilot]

Loved this guy and his music. Weirdly he shared the same birthday as me and died in the same village where I used to live. Fabulous musical genius. R.I.P. Mark and thank you.

[@meredithhopkins1411]

What integrity and genuine genius. He was as unique as it gets. Anyone who could write Colour Of Spring will absolutely NEVER have anyone equal to him. Talk Talk was second to absolutely NO ONE. RIP MARK.

[@rayman17578]

Ive been a fan since 2019 im 23

[@Fly_Butterfly...]

Wow..... wonderful to see the next generation discovering him too...❤😇💞

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Good on you my friend. I have endless admiration on your taste! 🫡

[@fuelingforthelight]

This is so wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it. You did a great job here, with intelligent and respectful questions, and giving him space to flesh out his thoughts. It's fantastic to hear him freely delve into his creative process. He had such a clear passion for the true art of making music. We are all the poorer for his passing, yet he left us with such riches. I hope his post-recording life was completely fulfilling and that he enjoyed the rest of his life to the fullest. He is greatly missed.

[@Fly_Butterfly...]

WOW... you wrote this so beautiful... I feel the same. In my opinion, the interviewer is also a very gentle, honest and interested person which Marks could feel and therefore he opened up and was willing to talk so freely and deeply! Thank you!!!!! ❤🫂💞

[@dedevidal7836]

If you think that the quality of the tape is bad, I truly think that the rest won't be as bad. Is the audio still good?

[@NomadMoneyCo.]

What an absolute legend he was. We don't have many artists with Mark's talent or creativity nowadays.

[@Ploist]

It doesn’t seem like he ages. He’s supposed to be 43 here.

[@delphineg3045]

Thank you so much for sharing! The timecode, your voice, the questions... are ok, it makes the interview alive and natural. Looking forward to hearing the rest of it. 👍🎶

[@SMW9754]

Я люблю не только совершенную музыку, но и музыку, которая вызывает великую ностальгию...

[@kutzak236]

This is a true gift. Never thought I'd see Mark doing an extensive in depth interview so late in his career (well actually the end of his recording career unfortunately). Great to see him so relaxed and funny as well. And please do upload the last 20 minutes. The quality doesn't matter. As someone already said: it's just great to have it cause its important

[@SMW9754]

Да, загрузите 20 минут

[@Cranky301]

A rare and very gifted genius.

[@posttoastee]

Great job, sir. I can only imagine how many interviews he simply endured - I think he liked you and valued your approach and preparation. He clearly was a genius and someone who worked thoughtfully and very hard. Glad to know this document exists for future generations. I think you did a perfect interview. Look forward to Part 2.

[@conorosullivan3795]

One of my favourite bands ever, Mark has a stunning vocal voice that with stunning musicality from all musicians, timeless to me, still play them today today :) / TREPANIC

[@CardiffGuru67]

So sad he's gone, lovely interview.

[@MarkRoss-v4y]

This is a real gift, thank you for sharing. What a wonderful man and musician Mark Hollis was. ❣

[@Svetlana-ey1yl]

Ох, ты, лапонька!!! Как жаль, что ты ушел. Пусть земля тебе будет пухом.

[@Юрий-и4ы8ъ]

Талантливый! Украсил планету своей музыкой! Жаль, что его нет! Лучше б не было меня. А ведь мы ровесники... Скорблю и плачу... Марк, мы тебя помним!

[@dtg5909]

What a gift he was. A true muso. Such a loss.

[@wojciechbarbapapa5734]

Bardzo lubię Marka, jest moim idolem.

[@maristephan2616]

Omg! Thanks for sharing! Mark Hollis was incredible person and musician. I love to catch new details about him. And he is very lovely here! P. S. Do you see the long nail on his right thumb? :) so nice and funny

[@anastasie_0214]

For playing guitar perhaps.

[@Fly_Butterfly...]

Of course for the guitar!!!!

[@raffrayronan6246]

I love him so much

[@arnesteinmark6664]

A treasure and an unexpected gift. Please, find the other tape. These are historical documents and imo the most important and interesting iw with Hollis ever. Thank you so much for sharing

[@vinto34]

Great interview of which there were not many of mark on here. RIP...Thanks for the great material you left us during your time in talk talk.

[@canadianbacon587]

Mark is on a level all his own. Dearly missed and, I’m thankful he was here. RIP 🙏

[@hugohugo2832]

Such a great band. They stood out even in their earlier days as leagues ahead of all the other 80s pap like Spandau and Duran.

[@mitshumarner5870]

Interesting to see him in a button down shirt, tie and trimmed hair to what we see from the concerts of the mid eighties where he still donned the button down shirt, but dyed his hair blond and let it shag out, dark round sunglasses and becoming an introverted, deep and meaningful signer / musician. A lot happening there with clues in this wonderful interview of a very talented, thoughtful and honest artist.

[@johnmatichecchia1942]

So far ahead in everything he created, such a brilliant musician, there are not many like him, if there even are...

[@alanhigginson7679]

He's a coin that was never made rare genius who mastered less is better one note is better than two one off r.i.p

[@drdavidsands]

This interview is a gift to his true fans who miss his instinctive (OCD-driven) passion for the intensity and honesty within music. Thank you kindly ❤

[@borisVspider66]

I was a Talk Talk fan & went to see them 3 times, it felt like you were a part of something that was vastly underappreciated & it has only now in the age of the Internet that Mark Hollis & co have received the recognition that they deserved. They should of been massive & really had the both the writing & recording tools & great live performance to have deserved huge success.. RIP Mark

[@kendram1893]

Thank you for sharing this treasure with us. I love the music but, as an artist myself, I appreciate his discussions of the creative process and the layers of his compositions. It truly inspires the way I approach my visual art. I also deeply appreciate the hard choices he made around balancing his creative life with his family life. Thank you, Mark, for what you brought to the world.

[@c8136132]

What an intelligent man. A genuine loss to all, not one of those superficial pop stars. RIP

[@nickelvd9220]

This kind of enriching footage is the true raison d'etre of KZbin and similar services. Thanks for sharing. It's amazing that he talks about writing music to fit one side of a (vinyl) album. 18 minutes (give or take) remains a very natural length for concentrating on music and preserving moments of 'Ma' (Japanese for ‘the emptiness in between’) which is applied masterfully on albums like Laughing Stock. I love his remark: ‘It's not a decision not to be commercial.’

[@lindahandley5267]

He really payed attention to the questions and what the interviewer was saying to make sure all the facts were straight. What a talent he was!

[@alanhigginson7679]

If could be anybody in the world it would have been mark Hollis the guys a genius so original never one to follow the crowd I'll listen to talk talks music till i die r.i.p mark

[@ThomCego]

Such a great singing voice. This special frequencies go straight into my heart

[@DollyPocket]

You can always spot smart people. I don’t mean degree qualified, it’s a level way above that. It’s in the eyes. Mark has it in spades …

[@Fly_Butterfly...]

Yes.... he was special... he had connections to things that he tried to share with us without willing to ve forced to do so. He was pure as a soul can be. This you can see in his eyes...❤❤❤🫂😇

[@feelxmusic]

Stunning..thanks for posting this!

[@vals_loeder]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful conversation with Mark. At 15, when It's my life was released, I became a life long fan of Mark's music. His music is indeed remembered way more then 20 years and it will be remembered for many years to come. Rest in peace Mark.

[@1963pyros]

This is wonderful, thanks for posting it. Mark had such passion and clear understanding of his creative process, this is an important document for future artists.

[@berndtbridges]

First time I’ve ever heard Mark explain his process(es). Real treasure given he’s so sadly no longer with us.

[@willoverill989]

Thank you! I liked reading the book but found more of what I was really after in this interview - MH explaining his approach etc.

[@lukeromer]

"...looking down a stream.. and you get little objects that kind of move slowly, and then maybe get caught around something for a while and then they sort of move on.." the music, artistry, thought and life of Mark Hollis encapsulated in one statement. It's that simple really. RIP, Legend.

[@fffantasticboom]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. This is a treasure.

[@TransportPilot]

I agree. He was so passionate about music. I love it! This all boils down to values. The true artist values the music, but the commercial side of music only values the money/profitability. This is brutal on great artists like Mark, and it does make me hurt/get angry for the true artists out there. Good on him for putting family first! Such a rare and beautiful gift, both family and musical talent. He was a true artist in every sense of the word. How do you know? His music will sound just as good 100 years from now as it did 40 years ago! Absolutely Timeless!

[@SMW9754]

❤

[@donatelladelpriore3375]

He was a visionary

[@kettlezone]

Brilliant - thank you!

[@arasimonian]

What a great interview. Thank you so much for posting

[@samuelsimmons8078]

Brilliant. Thanks for uploading

[@francisdufort6586]

Thank you ❤ This is the first proper interview with Mark I have ever seen.

[@MrAurelius77]

The 3 last albums of Talk Talk that aproxímate Jazz music to pop introspective was a new way,like Radiohead,Bjorn,and others.

[@Valelacerte]

An artist who really cared about not repeating himself and producing something as new as he could manage. Ruthless quality control is something that separates the great from the average artists.

[@oscargoldman85]

If you have the extra 20 mins of unreleased footage still, there is amazing video recovery software that WILL bring it back. The only program I know of is Topaz, it uses AI and it does and excellent job. I am unaffiliated. Mark Hollis has been such an inspiration, I cannot express it. I got into Spirit of Eden in about 89' and have orbited it many times, just recently, a friend I had switched on to it, purchased the vinyl version, it included a 24bit 96K version of the album... it is amazing. to appreciate it and have it feel new after 25 years, speaks volumes.

[@blahizake]

Type of person you know they’re British before you hear them speak or read their bio. I mean that in the best way possible.

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

Im English myself, so could you please explain!

[@bowelmusicreleases_DAMF]

Imagine Mark Hollis and Miles Davis making music together up there... heavenly

[@Vortigan07]

A complete and unique musical genius! It took me a long time to "get" Laughing Stock but once I did, once it all clicked into place, wow!! It is without doubt an absolute masterpiece, an album that gives you a visceral experience that is different with every listen. Like I said, Mark Hollis was a legitimate musical genius, a man who came and did what he had to do in order to get to where he was going and then, once there, quietly left again without ego of fanfare. His like don't come around too often. Rest in peace, sir 🌹

[@Markmywords803]

Terrific interview❤Sorely missed😢

[@citizenchris099]

This is such an important interview. Thank you so much to the uploader

[@qwj68boots]

A theory: As a lover of this man's art, his collaborators, etc. I believe our shared love of his work or oeuvre has to do with the fact that he was for all intent & purposes what many would call a 'jazz' musician. Or a superior improvisational musician. If you know anything about Hollis and his methods, least ones that are known to us, I'm sure you would agree. I haven't even finished the interview, only about six minutes in and can already equate his answers to the likes of a Miles Davis, Bill Evans and or Wayne Shorter. Yes, he is up there with the likes of those fellow geniuses. It's not just Hollis however. As some have commented here and rightfully so, Lee Harris & Paul Webb deserve much more praise than they often get. Then I suppose you can add Tim Friese-Greene as well. Lest we forget those brilliant album covers designed by James Marsh too. These elements comprise of Talk Talk. The myriad of musicians that played with them we see/hear live also deserves our attention as well as praise. Talk Talk and its collaborators we were so lucky to have had in the short time they were with us. The likes we surely will not hear or see any time soon, if not at all. Again, just a theory...

[@silviaoliveira8433]

Concordo com vc amigo! Baterista Lee excepcional...baixista maravilhoso...enfim❤

[@JamesRone]

I watch this periodically to re-ground myself. I’m very grateful it’s here.

[@InacouWal]

Hi Rune, at 40:43 you mention a list Mark wrote concerning the music he listened to the mostly. Do you still have that list by chance? Read your comment on your VHS tape find, hope it all goes well and we can see some of it. I was left quite intrigued at the end you talking about Runeii haha. Greetings and thanks in advance.

[@Vovanov18]

Imagine a collaboration album with Mark Hollis, Peter Gabriel and David Sylvian.

[@RobGordon35]

Thank YOU! For this. I loved Talk Talk. ~peace

[@BioDieselEstate]

Oh! Thank You for posting this. How good it is to see and hear Mark Hollis talking. Advice for the budding artistic musicians at approx. 9m55 secs: "Commerciality doesn't come into it . . ." Miss You, Mark, RIP.

[@dtg5909]

Thank you for this x