Vandaveer Interview: SXSW 2010

Mark Charles Heidinger is the driving force behind Vandaveer, an alternative-folk singer/songwriting project in that mythical American tradition of talented troubadours and romantic storytellers singing for their supper. Born in Kentucky and based in Washington D.C., his 2007 debut 'Grace and Speed' was followed by 2009's 'Divide and Conquer.' Mark took a break from the studio, where he's working on the next one, to chat with Spinner about his stolen name, SXSW and wanting to be a 'mommy.'

Describe your sound in your own words.

Well, there's this one guy... his name is Mark. His friends call him Charles. He writes the songs, stops around a good but, but doesn't really know what he's doing. Sometimes they sound like folk music, other times like pop, rock or smooth jazz, but mostly folk. Then there's this girl. Her name is Rose. She sings like an angel. That's it, more or less.

How did your band form?

I'm not sure we're a bona fide band just yet but I made a record a few years back, realized it needed a name and suddenly found myself touring quite a bit to support it. Then along came Rose. Then another record, and lots more touring. All haphazard and not very planned, the way things ought to be.

What are your musical influences?

We just spent a few weeks in my old hometown, Lexington, Kentucky, working on a new record. We listened to Delilah on the FM dial every night on our way home from the studio. I didn't know who she was before this past trip, but her website says she's "the-most-listened-to-woman-on-the-radio-in-the-US." She played a lot of Chicago, Belinda Carlisle, REO Speedwagon, etc... We almost blew up the rental car speakers rocking out to that stuff. That was pretty influential, I think.

How did you come up with your band name?

I stole it from my brother, who stole it from our dad, who stole it from his grandpa, who stole it from his mother. It's a name that's been passed down for a few hundred years, like an heirloom, really.

What's your biggest vice?

The ampersand.

What's in your festival survival kit?

We played Glastonbury in 2008. Spent three days slopping through mud. Wellies -- rain boots -- were key. Toilet paper would've been nice, too. I suppose for Austin my survival kit will be my cellphone. For if it rings and my very pregnant wife is on the other end declaring that "the Time Had Come," my survival will depend on taking that call and the next plane back to D.C.

Who was your first celeb crush?

According to the scrapbook my mother kept, when I was seven I wanted to be a "mommy." When I was eight, after the Big Talk, I wanted to be a daddy. Ergo, my first celeb crush was Michael Jackson but my first self-aware celeb crush was Madonna.

Beatles or Stones?

Definitely.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

The mirror in the morning.