MANTRA TATTOO

Mark Moore - Mantra Studio

February 2004

Interview composed and written by Thom

An Interview with one of the festivals main organisers.

Ok, so Mark you look well, kind of refreshed, right straight in at the deep end, so what's the deal with these dates being moved?.

Basically we have had to move the dates as we made a choice to use the old venue rather than use the Centaur which we used for last years festival

 

And the venue, what's the latest, what was the imputes behind changing the venue?

We felt that we had to try the centaur as it is a new project at the Racecourse, and we thought possibly that it would work better for the festival. However, having done it we have realised that the old venue is much more capable of hosting the venue as we want to see it hosted.

Have you ever been to a show or convention, or are there elements of other events that has really made you think, I want Mantra to be like that?

Have any other shows given us ideas? When you are the organisers of a show on this magnitude you take ideas from everywhere, seriously, from the last person to leave to the person selling hot dogs, from posters to tickets, from running times to bar prices it really is a minefield and something you have to keep on top off. We really try and just do what we do and to be honest I personally pick up on wrong things that other events do and try and make sure that we avoid them at ours. We welcome any criticism and really try and iron out any small problems. If the finances allowed we would I'm sure go even bigger but you must try and be sensible simply for the future of the show. As the show grows year by year it gains momentum and gets bigger and better and as long as that continues and people attend and enjoy then god bless Mantra and long may it continue.

So, has that come from peoples responses or is it the decision of you and Paul as Dynamite, you know, how do you come to a decision like that?

I think the decision was made for us really, we noticed that peoples input after last years festival was veering towards the fact that they preferred the old venue, better to walk around and a lot more interesting.

Any big name artists lined up for this year or early rumours flying around of what old and new visitors to The Mantra Festival can expect?

We have Hannah Aitchison, Gunnar, , Lane Turowski, Adam Bomb , Fiona Long , Lal Hardy , Woody , Mantra boys and many more . basically loads and loads of really good artists

And just as a reminder, I know I have asked you this before, but how do people go about booking an artists time at the Mantra Festival?

Best thing to do really, is go on to the Mantra website where there will be a list of confirmed 2005 artists and a link to that artists e-mail or website.

So generally if you haven't contacted the artist before is it unlikely that you will be able to get tattooed at the Mantra Festival?

Well we advise people to e-mail the artist of their choice beforehand to see how booked up they already are , however saying that all the artists working at the show are of the highest quality and there are plenty to choose from !

Obviously being in and around the Mantra Studio, I heard rumours that this year's show was touch and go at one point, I know that might be a bit close to the bone, but what's the score - I know lots of people look forward to the show, is that something they can rely on for years to come or is it difficult to say?

I knew I should of read these questions before you asked them! This years Mantra was touch and go at one point simply because of finances and that's the only reason. Paul, myself and Bob and the Mantra studio as a whole have put everything into the show we possibly can, we have taken it to heights that we never imagined and the feedback we have had has been absolutely amazing, not only from the general public but the best artists in the world are saying that this is the best show in the world. People through the door have written to us and e-mailed us thanking us for a fantastic weekend and it's an incredible feeling to put a smile on so many people's face's. However you can only do something for so long within a budget, thankfully to our major sponsors who can be seen at the show this year we have been able to put another show on, and we want to continue to do so because we know the massive potential of the show, its just a case of getting the funding and pushing it forward that way because our heart is in it and we want it to succeed.

Yes, totally, you can definitely tell that from being around you guys, it comes from within!

Without a doubt, it's our baby and we want it to be the best show of its kind in the world.

Is it true you have a hat obsession?

Yes I do (laughing). I have a collection of around 40 now so if anyone wants to send me any.....

They can contact you at info@mantratattoo.com, right?

That's it!

Tell me a joke.

Ummmmmmm....

Man your one of the funniest men I know and you can't tell me a joke!

They are all too obscene for the website I am afraid!

Did you know that its now only £15 for Leeds Utd....sounds like a fair swap, don't you think?

(After many expletives....). Who is it you support? Tottenham Hotspur? Ahhh so you are obviously not a football fan! Come on the Leeds!

What music are you buzzing away to at the moment?

Powderfinger, an absolutely amazing band.

Cool, describe them to me, who would you liken them to?

Mmm, they just sound totally, totally different...they have got shades of Crowded House in places, its just really, really refreshing. It's nice to see a band doing something straight from the heart, they put everything into their songs and that really comes across. There are loads of bands around now that sound processed and exactly the same as each other and these guys really are a breath of fresh air.

Obviously, you would love to see them appearing at your show, but is there anything more commercial or recognisable that you guys see playing at this years event or is it just too early to tell?

We are looking at bands this year, like we always have done, that are on the crest of breaking big or on the verge of major success, but again the problem lies with funding. Until we get a massive, massive sponsor which is what we have been looking for from day one it will remain that way. The sky would be the limit if we had that level of financial backing, we have said from the beginning that we would love to have bands like Green Day, The Prodigy etc. and that isn't out of reach its just a case of jiggling the funds, the time being right and getting the people through the door. We have learnt a lot over the last three years, I think that when we went into organising the show we thought everything was going to happen in 10 minutes, but we have had to learn massive lessons that we are hoping to take forward into years 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 etc.

I've always thought that, with the venues capacity and location I think it would be great for the Midlands and indeed Cheltenham...

Yes, its great the show has evolved into much more than just a Tattoo convention, I mean yes its a Body-art Festival, but when you look at what's going on the sidelines, you know the Trade stalls, Graffiti artists, Break dancers, Beat boxer's, BMXer's etc. etc. it really has turned into a show of many, many strands.

Do you think that organising a Tattoo show and tattooing professionally is hazardous to your health?

Definitely, I mean joking aside, it is like two different jobs, there' s the show once again I don't want to harp on, but it is such a big event now and it takes some organising. When we started we didn't realise what went into it, but now we have completed three events people say it should get easier, but I think it gets harder as you have to impress people more. You try some thing's, they work and others, they don't work, but to switch from, in one minute taking a phone call about wristbands or security men, barriers etc. to, on the other hand draw a freehand Japanese Koi carp, it is two totally different mindsets, but we have managed ok so far.

And does that view from the inside give you an appreciation for other events whether they are tattoo orientated or not? Does it give you an appreciation for other show organisers?

Definitely, the reason we started the Mantra show was that we had visited other tattoo shows all around the world and thought that they were great, but lacked that little something. However its putting that little something in that provides all the work and I guess the stress, but that's Mantra for you.....

Right a couple of last questions, any good films or comedy kicking around your studio?

To answer the question, what can I say.... Ricky Gervais (absolutely superb), Jimmy Carr. Film wise, Meet the Fockas is wicked, but once again on the music side of things just check out Powderfinger!

Out of the entire event which individual are you most looking forward to seeing at the show?

My Mum.

Wicked.

Mark, just to finish man, is there anything you would like to say?

Just a massive, massive thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 3 events, a big hello to all the new people coming this year, we hope everyone has a wicked time, we welcome you all back with open arms, and just enjoy! Spread the love.