Photo by Daniel Meigs

In trying to be original in describing “Honesty,” the infectiously-gorgeous new single from Music City’s Slark Moan, I couldn’t think of anything better than the tag “Dream Pop” that accompanied his bio. Friends, believe me, if you are a “pure pop for now people” person like me, this is a song you will savor. It comes from a new LP, “Superstition for the Consumer Romantic,” that Slough Water Records will release on August 9. Earlier this week, LA’s hip NPR Station KCRW featured “Honesty” as “Today’s Top Tune.”

Thinly disguising his true name with his artistic one, Mark Sloan delivers the complete package writing his songs, playing all the instruments and working the controls as producer/engineer. If Sloan looks familiar, you may have seen him logging in road time playing behind the likes of Margo Price, Sam Outlaw and Erin Rae. He released his debut record, “Imperfect Music for Imperfect People” in 2017.

Thanks, Mark, for giving us your eleven. Look forward to the upcoming record release house concert that you tell us about below. You can find more details about the show at the Slark Moan Facebook page.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I’m originally from St Louis, MO. I moved to Nashville in 2006 to go to university where I studied jazz guitar performance.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

The first record I bought was a B.B. King anthology boxset when I was 11 years old. I thought his guitar playing was amazing and listened to those CDs on repeat for about a year until I had saved enough money to make a second purchase and expand my music collection. The last record I bought was Ray Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music on vinyl. I got it at the Robinson Flea Market in Madison.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

When I was young, my parents didn’t let me go to concerts, but they did let me accompany my sister to see her idol John Mayer. The last concert I saw was on July 1st at the Basement for local Americana supergroup Stationwagon. It was their long-awaited album release show.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Slark Moan

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

I have a Breville espresso machine that is one of my most prized possessions. But if I run out of beans, I’ll walk across the street to Slow Hand Coffee Bakeshop. My favorite pizza is a brand of gluten-free pesto pizza you can get at Turnip Truck called “Against the Grain.” I don’t know what it is, but I’m addicted to this pizza and nothing else compares.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Probably Nashville Skyline. I love Dylan’s voice on that one. It’s very unique. Someone told me he wasn’t smoking during that time, and that’s why he sounds so different.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

A basket of French fries from Dino’s is my go-to. I’ve always wanted to find a late-night Indian restaurant, but they don’t currently exist in this city.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

This is a hard one because I know so many great songwriters in Nashville. If I have to choose, I’ll go with Kellen of Troy, Liz Cooper, and Quichenight.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The Five Spot and the Basement have always been favorites, but I love a good house show as well.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

There are probably too many musicians here already, but maybe Paul McCartney? I have a reoccurring dream about meeting him. Maybe if he lived here, we would run into each other at Kroger.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I’m releasing my sophomore record Superstition for the Consumer Romantic on August 9th and then having an album release party on August 10th. The party is open to the public and will be next door to the Hair Palace in East Nashville.