Mark Mallman

Minneapolis songwriter Mark Mallman has tackled themes ranging from prostitution to alcoholism during the course of his decade-long journey, and his upcoming LP, Invincible Criminal, applies the same grandiose treatment to Father Time. Mallman sings about 100-year-olds waking up with double-whiskey and Cokes, dreaming about “White Leather Days.” If Mallman ever reaches that age, he’ll have no regrets. He has laid it all on the line musically, pouring pathos and soul into his piano-rock albums and performing like he needs to put gas in the minivan to get to the next gig. He can usually afford to have only a drummer and some backing tracks on tour, but you’ll forgive him when you see him straddle those ivories.