With his first tour of 2015 kicking off in a few days, Charlie Mars is ready to hit the road again and play songs off the latest album The Money. He’ll roll through Philadelphia on January 29th and end at the Bluebird in Nashville on February 26th. Charlie took some time to answer a few questions leading up to the show.
Broken Records: When did you begin to realize music was going to be more than just a creative outlet and an actual career path?
Charlie Mars: When I was in college, a guy I knew named Jack Ingram made an album on a shoestring budget in Rockwall, TX and I followed his lead by selling my car and making an album with my original songs. I had a good amount of success with that record and really got a taste for touring, and it’s been in my blood ever since. That was my first hint that maybe I could keep at this and make a go of it. I’ve never looked back.
BRM: When did you get the idea for a three part series of albums, and now that it’s all out, what do you hope people gain from listening to all three?
CM: After recording the first album, Like A Bird, Like A Plane, I felt I was going to make two more, and they were going to be a synthesis of the classic rock that I grew up loving on the radio. And more specifically, the groove based songwriters I have a particular love for — J.J. Cale, Bill Withers and Dire Strait to name a few. Almost every song has two verses, maybe three, a bridge, and an out chorus. It’s a classic structure I held myself to – a symmetry that works so instinctually that nobody has ever commented on it. I hope it enriches people’s lives and that it brings them connection and happiness. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
BRM: These days, there is no one particular genre that someone can box themselves into. When it comes to influence on your music, who would you say had the biggest impact on this album specifically?
CM: Jackson Browne and J.J. Cale.
BRM: There are pros and cons to both recording and live shows. What do you think is the most ‘inspirational’ moment?
CM: When I’m not thinking about it, and the song is there, and the problems melt away, and all or most all is one. That’s the best. I hardly even feel there.
BRM: I would say that at least 50% of the music I find comes from TV shows and more and more, syncs of mainstream music are becoming popular. I know you’ve had some, so what is that like? Do you ever watch the show and forget?
CM: Well, first of all, it pays pretty good unlike most everything else in this business, so that’s always a big help. I’m not so precious about how the songs are used once they are finished. I still feel like a little kid, thinking ‘Hell yeah, my songs in a TV show or a movie, what a dream.’ I love it.
BRM: This tour ends at The Bluebird with an in-the-round show. What are you most looking forward to about that?
CM: That’s a legendary spot that I’ve never played, and my friend Kristian Bush is on the show. It’ll be great to be part of that history with somebody I like. And I get to go to my own bed the next day….hell yeah!
Stay tuned for photos and a review of the show. To purchase tickets or see full dates check out his website here: charliemars.com.