Mark Kozelek is a man of few words, but many songs. The now-solo singer/songwriter, also known for this work in indie rock bands Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon, has remained in relative obscurity for the past two decades, despite releasing over 25 albums over his three projects.
“I guess I just don’t have what it takes,” deadpans Kozelek on his level of success.
Kozelek is busy “doing his taxes” and hasn’t had a lot of time to think about his upcoming show in Victoria, which will see the venue turned into an intimate, candlelit space for one night as Kozelek strums his chilling yet hopeful acoustic numbers.
“I hope there aren’t too many drunks right in front of me at the show,” says Kozelek, adding that there is “too much drinking up there in Canada.”
But playing solo to a variety of crowds is nothing new to Kozelek. He’s tracked countless miles in his storied career and has gotten used to playing without a backing band. The biggest difference between band and solo, he says, is how much easier it is to head out on the road without a bunch of other people in tow.
“I have more control playing solo,” he says. “There’s less pressure to follow set lists, soundchecks are shorter, no band practice, and organizing tours are much easier if it’s just me rather than a band.”
Still, for some, the thought of exposing yourself and your craft up on stage all by your lonesome could be a staggering nerve-wreck. But for Kozelek, the experience can only be soured when the turnout is weak.
“I played a festival and there were nine people in the crowd. I was embarrassed, wanted to get out of there,” he remembers. “If the room is full, I just look out and feel grateful to still be in the business.”
Known for his love and, ahem, interesting interpretations of classic rock songs, Kozelek recorded a full album of AC/DC covers in 2001 called What’s Next to the Moon. The album was a bold move, considering that the only other significant artist that has dared to pronounce such love for the Australian bad boy rockers was a lot, well, tougher: extreme death metal band Six Feet Under.
So, will any of Kozelek’s versions of AC/DC songs, which are different kinds of animals altogether, make an appearance at his upcoming show?
“Probably,” he teases, “at least one.”
Mark Kozelek
Tuesday, February 5
Club 9ONE9
strathconahotel.com/club9one9