Nine Below Zero Talk New Acoustic Album ‘DENMARK’

 You will be releasing ‘DenMark’ which is the definitive Nine Below Zero acoustic collection. When did you have the idea to re-record some if your tracks acoustically?

It’s been a project in the pipeline for a while now but when i found many recordings from the past 25 years on tape in my loft and converted them to digital it was clear what to do. It was amazing re recording, subtracting, overdubbing and remixing new light through old windows 

Given your vast back catalogue was it difficult selecting which songs to include? Did you have a specific selection process?

Yes we started with about 39 songs and got it down to 26. It sorts itself out in the end.

Where did you record the album and who did you work with?

We recorded up at Superfly in Newark with Andrew Banfield and Wayne Proctor. Some tracks at Glenn Tillbrook’s studio in London, also Konk in North London.

 Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Yes London. If you tired of London you’re tired of life. Sorry that’s 8.

 One of the tracks which has been released as a single is ‘The Story Of Nathan John’. What was the story/inspiration for that song?

This was the tragic shooting of John Charles de Mendezes  on the London Underground Stockwell station 7/7/2005. After the horrific bombings and attacks on that day, as Londoners we were very affected by what happened on that day and of course it could have been any of our friends or family caught up in the horror. But It was actually the trial of John that brought it all home to us, reading the details in the papers. It just underlined the sadness of the innocents and injustice’s in times of such terror and darkness.

In addition, you will be going on an Acoustic Duo Tour in 2024 in the UK. How are you feeling about the shows? Do you have any plans to add more dates?

We love these shows as they are up close and personable. Totally different from the full band. Yes dates are being added all the time.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals?

I have a Fender Reverb unit from the 60’s A 1957 Zenith guitar bought for £60  that gives me an authentic old blues sound.

How do you look after your voices? 

Don’t drink before the show. Never smoke or do drugs. Only do this at home accompanied by an adult. Oh and go to the Gym.It also helps if you sing properly, not straining.

In doing some research, I read that Mark worked with the actor Jude Law on a stage play teaching him the technique of playing Harmonica. How did that opportunity arise? Do you have any interesting, funny, memorable stories from that experience? 

Yes we do but we can not divulge. If you want to learn something you go to the best, I suppose.

We have a mutual friend I’m Mr Wayne Proctor who not only produced the album but also played drums on an exclusive version of a track that doesn’t appear on the album but you can get when you pre-order the album. Could you tell us about how that track came about and what it is called? 

He’s in trouble that man. We turned our back for one moment and he put synthesisers, drum machines and loud cow bell on everything. The song is What’s Going by Marvin Gaye on which Mark really does excel on Harmonica and it gives him a platform to show the diversity of his instrument, Also that line “war is not the answer, only love can conquer hate. If only we listed to our creative artists more!

What other plans do have Nine Below Zero have for 2024 on addition to the UK acoustic tour? 

We have already booked out the year regarding gigs and we are in Ireland for the Rory Gallagher memorial festival. Spain, Sweden, Norway, France and Portugal in the diary.

What makes Nine Below Zero happy and what makes you unhappy?

Travelling around the world playing music, we are so lucky. Spending time with our families. Peace at home and around the world but there’s not much of that at the moment.

NINE BELOW ZERO Announce a BRAND NEW ALBUM DENMARK, THE DEFINITIVE NINE BELOW ZERO ACOUSTIC COLLECTION RELEASING FEBRUARY 19^TH 2024 & 2024 ACOUSTIC TOUR TICKETS ON SALE NOW  via www.ninebelowzero.com