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Video: Kirkgate Market inspires mapcap Leeds artist
He’s a zany street artist and musician who is well-known for drawing portraits on paper bags using just a pencil or a biro.
But now, Leeds-born Mik Artistik is taking his musical talent forward by releasing a brand new single – based on a real-life experience at Kirkgate Market.
Cheap Watch From The Market tells the story of a £3 watch, which lasted an impressive four years before the strap broke.
But unfortunately for Mik, 56, his girlfriend in the song “detests” the watch so instead of getting it repaired, he has to buy a £40 replacement from Argos, which lasts just seven months.
The video for the song was filmed entirely at Kirkgate market and even features cameos from market traders, who are seen holding up felt-tip drawings of watches and singing the song’s catchphrase – “it’s just a cheap watch, from the market.”
Mik, who performs alongside Jonny Flockton and Benson Walker as part of Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip, told the YEP: “Most of my music is autobiographical and the idea for this song came from something I did at Glastonbury. I was on stage and I started telling this story about my cheap watch, and it mushroomed from there.
“We went to the market to do the video on a Saturday morning and I took a felt-tip and drew about 40 of these watches.
“It all just fell into place. All the traders were really up for appearing in the video. It was brilliant.”
He added: “The people of Leeds should really know about this song. It’s about the market and it’s about the city; and I grew up here, so it means a lot to me.”
Mik, who now lives in Armley, is known for drawing portraits on paper bags, having “bagged” thousands over the years.
His work has been displayed at exhibitions.
He said: “I’m holding an exhibition of my work in Newcastle next month and I’m hoping to do a radio show following me on the streets with the paper bag art.
“In terms of the band, we’ve been at the Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall, we’ll be at the Grove Festival at Bridgewater Place next Sunday and we’re going to the Electric Picnic in Dublin next month.
“It’s a lively time and we’ve had a wonderful year.”
The single is available to download from iTunes. For more details, visit www.mikartistik.com or join the fan club on Facebook.
VIDEO: Thrum Production
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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