The story of OTMM...
Off the Mike Mark is the kind of group that could only have spawned from Northern Minnesota. Recording 'Up the Road' in the bitter harshness of Duluth, circa Christmas 2007, Mike and Brendan put the finishing touches on an album that stood as a testimony for years of collaboration. It all began back in grade school when Brendan joined Mike in some adolescent jamming, creating classic hits like Bobby Take that Job (Antmen). The years passed, Brendan settling into Duluth, Mike to Olympia, WA.
They continued to write and would occasionally find themselves in the same town to play together. When Mike eventually found his way back home to Minnesota, he and Brendan vowed to move a project forward. They set up studio time to punch out a demo of their sound using two of Brendan's old tunes played with the Antmen, and a new tune about his rambunctious dog Katie.
In all those years, there had been a true shining light in Duluth, Brainerd, and the greater northern MN region. Seth Doud, a good friend of the freshly coined Off the Mike Mark duo, had been bringing his powerhouse, soulful, and passionate presence to the stage in many tandem appearances. Knowing each other well through their musical bonds, the idea to bring Seth in on the demo tracks seemed only natural. What had started as a one song sit in for Coast Aboda swiftly became a formal invitation to the group, and the OTMM sound was born.
With a great demo in hand, things were getting rolling. Then the call came from Brendan, he was off to Des Moines for the next 4 months. But this apparent obstacle soon became a blessing. Though delayed, the album would take a new form, and through strategic meetings among long distance relationship, Up the Road was officially released in Duluth, MN in late February 2008.
As mentioned above, we are about to embark on a journey East to spread OTMM sounds, along with close friend Dave Mehling. We look forward to reuniting with many friends, family, the road, and that blessed ole' American countryside. Look us up for a visit to a town near you...
the parrot review is in!
