Mark Gardner comes from the combination of performing, singing, trumpet playing, writing and playing with various bands over the years including a commercial release with “ResistingTemptation” by Bricks and Mortar as aired on RRR, PBS and JJJ in the mid 90’s as well as working alongside producer Brian Canham for his debut solo “The Great Divide EP“.
With his latest EP “State Of Emergency,” Gardner delves deep into songwriting with “Happy Song” being the first offering from the self-produced EP.
Here to lift our spirits, and let’s be honest we could all use a little of that at the moment, is Mark Gardner’s “Happy Song”. Dedicated to not only looking onto the brighter side of life but embracing the choice to be positive, Gardner’s “Happy Song” is an ode to keeping the faith in trying times.
Hailing from Melbourne, Gardner is a seasoned musician who is not only a prolific singer and songwriter but has performed at a multitude of venues, festivals and events over the years, he’s also leant his talents to several other bands including The Broken Sweethearts andBricks and Mortar. This is a man who lives and breathes music and if you haven’t discovered Gardner as yet, “Happy Song” is a great place to start. Incidentally, it is the opening track of his newest EP “State Of Emergency” which is a collection of songs centred around the experience of surviving on the fringes of small-towns in Australia.
Listen to 'Happy Song':
Making use of his skills as writer, arranger and producer “Happy Song” is led by an acoustic guitar giving it a folky blues base from which the drums establish a robust rhythm and the accompanying horns create a real organic homely vibe. The lyrics of the song deals with the weight that comes with the responsibilities and harsh realities of rural living. Whilst there is some sense of resignation for one’s fate, the lyrics also intend on encouraging us to appreciate the good we do have. Halfway through the song Gardner even chants like a mantra, “We could be happy, we could be happy, we could be happy” in an effort to convince either himself or the listener like some manifestation, and by the song’s merry end it’s pretty much bang on achieved.
“Happy Song” has caught on with a number of radio stations like 3MDR, Eastern FM, Casey Beat and Southern FM including it in their rotation which is not a surprise given the engaging way the song captures the listener. “Happy Song” along with his EP is available onSpotify but if it does make you happy why not support an Aussie artist by purchasing a copy via his Bandcamp page HERE.
‘Happy Song’ is out everywhere!