Mark Tinley
programmer/engineer since 1993

My friend Rob at Creative Technologies called me up because he knew I was a synthesiser expert and asked me if I could transfer a sound from an Emulator III keyboard into a K2000. I said I could, and he sent me around to Warren's house. That 1 day, has turned into 11 years work.

How did you get into this line of work? What did you do before working with Duran?

I have always been excited by recording. I used to record on two cassette recorders when I was 15. I would make all these recordings. I was always convinced that studios were unnecessary and that it could be done on simpler equipment. People prove that a lot these days, but when I started a computer based recording studio in 1987 for film and video work, I was way ahead of my time and produced some amazing sounding music, even winning an award for best music for corporate video in 1988 as well as having a record in the UK charts. I then programmed for my brother Adamski (he wrote Killer with Seal and had several UK hits). Then worked on various acts with Rhythm King Records before moving on to Duran Duran. So I guess I have always done it in some form or another.

We've all read your name on the album credits, the very observant fans may have seen you at concerts. But what is it exactly that you do?

I program all of Nick's sounds in the studio, and record the band into a computer. I edit the arrangements and generally work with the band on versions of the songs and mixes, right up until the point where it goes to a top mixer like Chris Lord-Alge to do the final mixing and fuck it all up.
For the live shows, I make sure Nick's current keyboards sound like the keyboards on the records, as well as programming sequencers which I run from the side of the stage. If anything goes wrong, I fix it :-)

Where does your work end and Nick's start (or vice versa!)?

I am technical and Nick is creative, sometimes things can get blurred, especially when Nick gets technical :-)

Nick has a reputation for coming up with great ideas that require a lot of work - how do you cope...?

By drinking lots of red wine and quitting my job on a regular basis...

What's the worst thing about Nick?

His timekeeping, and the lists about the lists!!!

And the best?

He's a kind man, and a good friend.

What did you think of Duran before you started working with the band? Were you a fan?

The early stuff was great, I loved Notorious, Arcadia and PowerStation, and then as far as I knew, Duran Duran all but disappeared. My best friend Morgan, played me Liberty (he had bought it in a bargain bucket at a local record store) and I didn't really like it, but as I was into Acid House at that point, so it didn't fit in with the music I was listening to or writing. Just to put the record straight, all my music ended up in the bargain section at that point in time too.
As for being a fan, I don't do the 'fan' thing really. I like songs, and if a band writes a good song, I buy it. Personality wise, I had obviously read all the British press about them and despite that had tried not to form an opinion about them. I think it pays to meet people before having an opinion about them, and often more than once. People have good and bad days, and they should be forgiven for that, especially Warren :-)

In your opinion, what is the biggest misconception about Duran?

That Simon can't sing, and they can't play their instruments. That they are a champagne pop band who are all image and nothing else. There are some very good musicians in the band.

Which is your favourite Duran track that you worked on and why?

Watching The Detectives at the moment, because it is very cleverly based on a Dancehall Reggae track, and as I predicted, Dancehall reggae is taking off in the UK! So that makes me 10 years ahead of my time :-)

Can you give us some clues on what the new album sounds like? Favourite tracks so far etc.?

It sounds like an early Duran Duran record on steroids. My favourite tracks so far are Beautiful Colours, Chains and One Of Those Days

Which other kinds of music or bands/artists do you like?

All sorts! Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Gang of Four, Gary Numan, Iggy, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Killing Joke, Kraftwerk, Lassigue Benthaus, Led Zeppelin, Le Tigre, Miniature Numerique, Mott the Hoople, Penetration, Pink Floyd, Rain Tree Crow, Simple Minds, Sisters of Mercy, Slade, The The, Tyree.

Besides Duran, you've also worked with Nick on related projects - TV Mania, The Devils, The Dandy Warhols album. Are there any differences for the way you worked on those from the 'regular' Duran albums?

Nick paid me a lot more money :-)

Have you worked with other artists (past/present) or any projects of your own?

Plenty, the most famous of course being my brother Adamski. His web site is at www.adam-sky.com

Do you often join the band on tour - is it a nightmare or fun?

I hate it. I would much rather be in a cosy little studio making new noises, than living on a bus listening to noises I have already made every night.

Finish this sentence: If you were abducted by aliens tomorrow, Nick...

Would be one of them!!!

Cheers
Mark