The 5-minute Interview: Mark Chadwick, singer
'After years dreaming of music festivals I finally organised one'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Mark Chadwick, 41, is the lead singer and guitarist of The Levellers, a British folk-punk band with a reputation for championing green and anti-capitalist issues. The band celebrates its20th anniversary this year
If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...
Eating boiled eggs and soldiers at Teddy's tea room in Shoreham, West Sussex.
A phrase I use far too often is...
Trust me: everything will be fine.
I wish people would take more notice of...
The increasing erosion of communities – it's reached the point where you can no longer find a pub or post office anywhere any more.
The most surprising thing that happened to me was...
After spending years dreaming about music festivals and attending them I finally ended up organising one, the Beautiful Days festival in the West Country.
A common misperception of me is...
That I am a party animal. Now I prefer the quiet life.
I am not a politician but...
Actually, I nearly was and have been approached by Labour, the Lib Dems, the Socialist Workers Party, the Green Party and a number of militant groups. I just found the back-stabbing intolerable.
I am good at...
Using music and conversation to make people think in a different way.
I'm very bad at...
Settling into any routine
The ideal night out is...
Sitting in a pub garden with some friends watching the sun go down.
In moments of weakness...
I bury my head in the sand.
You know me as the leader of a rock band but in a truer life...
I'd have tried to start a movement that broke out of left and right-wing swing politics.
The best age to be is...
38, which I have been for three years now. I'm afraid everyone else is going to have to carry on getting older without me.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is...
Please, please think for yourself.
Robert Verkaik
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments