World Music, Acoustic, Jazz, Ambient and Soundtrack
World music artist Mark Van Overmeire is a storyteller. His journeys around the world shape his musical universe and inspire the music artist to produce songs that convey a delicate balance between simple yet intriguing music; an imaginative fusion of world music, jazz, folk and classical music with colorful cinematic moods.
The release of the world music CD "Impresiones" in August 2004 made a strong impact in the world music scene. The CD was conceived after a 4 year stay in South America. The music on "Impresiones" is, according to Henri Brun from KRTU, a mixture of world and elegance all in one.
Beautiful and evocative, the world music on "Impresiones" received worldwide radio broadcastings and introduced music artist Mark Van Overmeire to an audience of world music aficionados in many countries.
Mark Van Overmeire continues to write and produce music independently. Every aspect of Mark's music career is carefully planned and executed. The passion and dedication to do so ensures that his songs reach the world music lovers around the globe.
New songs are ready to be recorded and an upcoming world music CD with stories based on Mark's 3 month journey through Southeast Asia is scheduled for Spring next year.
Biography
Mark Van Overmeire was born in Sint-Amandsberg, Belgium on April 2, 1968 but grew up in the mesmerizing town of Bruges. Music sparkled his imagination when he was well in his teens and he started studying music when he was 15 years old learning the basics of drums and guitar.
At the age of 17 Mark entered the intriguing world of composition to master the fundamental rules of classical music. At that time he got interested in the exciting rhythms of jazz and studied jazz harmony.
His fascination for the rhythms of drums, world percussion and exotic music of other cultures led Mark to make a decision that would change his life forever. He left the country with nothing more than a backpack and headed to a continent full of untold mysteries... South America.
The existential journey would have Mark in its grip for 4 years. After his return some of the stories had to be told and this led to release of the first full World Music CD "Impresiones".
Besides composing, arranging and producing all music on "Impresiones" Mark also plays classical guitar, drums and percussion on the album. Up to 6 other musicians were invited to lay down the extensively arranged world music songs in the studio. click here to hear some songs
Writing Music
Writing music is a very fascinating process. The most intriguing part for Mark is the ability to channel the music that he "hears" into a composition.
Mark writes mainly on classical guitar and keyboards. It's always mood and color that provide the first creative sparkle. Once an idea is worth exploring Mark starts arranging the song with the computer, a speciality called midi-composing. He uses realistic samples of music instruments in order to "feel" the song as he continues writing.
Some songs, such as Titicaca, take a few days to write. Others, like La Danza De Los Emigrantes with a score of 40 pages, take many months to complete.
