Known primarily for their collaboration in the conceptually based folk trio “The Accident That Led Me To The World,” Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards now set forth to promote their new respective solo releases out on Nobody’s Favorite Records. As performers, Mandeville and Richards choose to cooperatively present their material as a duo - in the tradition of folk and country music, they share close vocal harmonies and strictly acoustic accompaniment (6-string guitar, ukulele, banjo, tin whistle, harmonica). To celebrate the release of No Big Plans and Simple In This Place, Mandeville and Richards embarked on a seventeen day walking tour across their home state of Massachusetts; Richards learned the ukulele specifically for this tour as its weight was preferable over that of a full size guitar. Shortly after Walking Tour 2010, Becket-Boston, the duo showcased their music at this year’s North By Northeast Music Festival in Toronto Canada. While their concert schedule is gradually increasing around New England, Mandeville and Richards will depart this September for a three month US tour.

 Mark Mandeville takes a sabbatical as songwriter for "The Accident That Led Me To The World" in order to promote his current solo release on Nobody's Favorite Records. No Big Plans is a number of songs which discuss the dichotomy between artists and businessmen; in this modern world where social media guides the attention of nearly all interested persons, where does the artist choose to spend his time - in the workshop or on Facebook, in the world or on the computer? While the value of full length recordings dangles helplessly from a tree limb, Mandeville does not appear to notice the pendulum swing of popular trends. No downloadable cards, no flash drives, no bells, no whistles - just a record of songs which belong together. To celebrate this release, Mandeville embarked on a seventeen day "walking tour" - carrying his weary tune to churches, meeting houses, folk venues, and living rooms across Massachusetts.

 Nobody's Favorite compatriot Jerry Fels jeers, "Your songs are like having a conversation with you," to which Mandeville replies "I guess it depends on who wants to talk with me then."

 No Big Plans is either a country album or a folk/rock record, depending on "from where you are standing." The songs range from simple solo performances of guitar and vocals to full band arrangements highlighting the musical collaboration of Nobody's Favorite artists Raianne Richards (b. vocals) and Jerry Fels (drums). While this is not Mandeville's first solo album, it stands as his own first step out from the bedroom of his previous recording aesthetic.

"Quality tracks like these sell themselves." Read More...
- Worcester Magazine

"...a great restrained vocal style that makes his songs come across particularly well." Read More...
- babysue