Man With A Mission are celebrating 15 years as a band, with new EP XV EP Across the Globe being released in September.
Guitarist and vocalist Jean-Ken Johnny sat down with us to talk 15 years, live tracks and having to pick one song to never play again…
You’re releasing the XV EP Across The Globe on September 19 and it celebrates 15 years of MAN WITH A MISSION. How does it feel to be marking such a milestone?
JKJ: It was a long and winding road but at the same time it kind of feels so fast. The past 15 years since we started the band have been fabulous and we thank each and everyone who have shared the history with us.
The EP is the physical edition of your March 12 song release, but featuring two additional new tracks. What made you decide to release it this way?
JKJ: We just wanted to make a special edition for this memorable international release.
Hope you guys like it.
The bonus tracks are live versions of REACHING FOR THE SKY and Vertigo. How did you decide those were the live versions you wanted to include?
JKJ: They were are newest songs and we thought it would be cool to include the newest live versions of them than the old and obvious ones that is usually in our setlist. And of course they sounded good.
The UK & European leg of your HOWLING ACROSS THE WORLD tour takes place in October. Are you looking forward to coming back to the UK?
JKJ: Yes we are. We’ll be there from the very start of this tour but that ain’t enough so we hope we can come back as soon as possible after that too.
You’re bringing Hands Like Houses with you on tour, are you looking forward to playing with them each night?
JKJ: Very awesome band and we are delighted to have them with us. It’s always a pleasure to have a band with us while touring for it also boosts our motivation in our own set too.
Can fans expect anything special on the tour to mark your 15th anniversary?
JKJ: No spoilers so I won’t mention it now but please look forward to it.
We always end with some random questions. What would be your go-to Hallowe’en costume?
JKJ: We’re always totally ready as we are.
You could have written any song in history, which would it be and why?
JKJ: That is a cruel question and hard to answer but Bob Dylan – Blowin in the Wind.
First of all it’s a simple song and a masterpiece of literature and philosophy but more than that one day I’m gonna win the Nobel Prize and won’t join the ceremony.
If you could never play one of your songs again, which would it be and why?
JKJ: That is another cruel question and the answer is none (lol). Sorry every song means a lot to us.