Berman is an intelligent songwriter with a style all his own in his singing, songwriting and guitar playing. It is the seeming simplicity that draws you in while you get caught up in the underlying intricacies that are always present, leaving you wondering if this music is really of this world.
Growing up on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand, Berman was introduced to the guitar at a young age. He has travelled extensively and this colours his songwriting with the brush of experiences and people he has met. Some of his songs were written during this world travel, some penned during a stay on a kibbutz in Isreal. But the bulk of his most popular music has been written while living in New Zealand
Mark is an accomplished recording engineer and this has lead to the biggest and most varied archive of New Zealand home recordings featuring many New Zealand musicians, some of whom have gone on to do great things. His engineering skills have also seen him produce recordings for various organizations and artists and orchestral performances for conductors such as Peter Scholles.
On Berms CD, New Zealand Musician Magazine said
"pop songs made all the more interesting with a fine line in interesting hooks provided by a mix of ethereal or leftfield instruments and production techniques… Aided by some York Street mastering, the overall mix is top notch and as professional sounding as you'll find anywhere." Full review at NZ Musician Magazine
Earlier, in 1993, Berman took his song "Love and Anger" to Revolver Studios and recorded this single with producer Malcolm Smith.
Since September 2000, Berm has staked a huge claim in the internet music scene. Mark has a big interest in the place the internet can play in the promotion of music and spends much time in the pursuit of new marketing strategies to expand his listening audience. This has proved successful as in the last twelve months alone Berm has had over 55 000 hits to its mp3.com web site from over 120 different countries of the world. People are appreciating Berm music everywhere and this fan base is growing rapidly. Some of Marks songs sit at the top of the mp3.com NZ pop/rock chart.
The music is described by Listen.com as:
"Plodding rhythms trip into sticky meshes of melodic sound and get tangled up in the fray. Melodically disharmonic, the oxymoronic pop of Berm is both irritant and salve to the ear." - "Gee thanks listen.com" said Mark.
Mark's other band, Moving The River, until six months ago was a collection of tapes that had been sitting in a box for eight years. Now, Moving The River has received over 40 000 visitors to its site and has songs permanently lodged in the Auckland and New Zealand mp3 top 100.
The web sites allow visitors to listen to the music and download for free while allowing the artist to receive payment from mp3.com. In addition viewers can learn about the artist and pages contain links to other related sites. There are thousands of people downloading the Berman music to add to their collection. Mark sees the internet as a vital vehicle for promotion of Berm and other New Zealand Music. In 97 Mark recorded songs by Christchurch band Alternative X and also played keyboards on their album.
Berm has found favour in the eyes of many radio stations including Plains FM in Christchurch and National Radio which play songs off his self produced CD. In particular, "When I Met You" which is on the NZ on Air Indie Hit Disk #9.
Berman has long been a fan of both XTC and Steely Dan.
Berman enjoys expression through live gigs and has performed at Auckland venues such as the Temple and Kings Arms. He is looking to continue with live gigs and new recordings in 2001. Mark is very greatful to A.P.R.A. for their support and Silver Scroll Award invitations!
Mark has also appeared in many television programs, films and commercials over the past 5 yrs including Xena, Hercules and has been in a commercial directed by Riddly Scott (Aliens, Bladerunner, Gladiator). Not always visible to the naked eye, he may often be found lurking in the background as a policeman, maf inspector, warrior, ambulance driver, monk, rugby supporter or general kiwi bloke.