I'm mostly a solo performer. However, I do love to bring with me my "trio" when the opportunity is right. Charles Gluck often joins me on hand percussion at many of my gigs. When the situation is right, I'm also able to add Jon Nazdin on his 5-string upright bass. Both of these guys are featured on my CD "Cool Water" as well as added percussion and guitar by Norm Thorne and Marco Delmar.
Influences
Who inspires me??...
Janis Ian - Leo Kottke - Richard Thompson - Lyle Lovette - Bruce Cockburn - Rory Block - Jeff Buckley - David Wilcox. And Mike Baranik, Kevin Ryan, and Bryan Galloup make some of the most inspiring guitars out there. I love this Golden Age of lutherie!!
Mark Austin’s six-string beginnings in a sleepy Idaho town are quite a contrast to the urban chaos he now calls home in the DC metro area. But it’s that broad spectrum of experience and diverse environment he’s been exposed to that has shaped the artist and his music today.
His love for guitar began at age 11, but it wasn't until much later, during Mark’s graduate studies in Boston, where that love turned to passion. There, his songwriting began to take shape under the influences of legendary guitarists and songwriters such as Richard Thompson, Janis Ian, Bruce Cockburn, and Leo Kottke. With the encouragement of friends and other local musicians, he began to cut his teeth performing in the subways and on the famed street corners of Harvard Square. His years of guitar training combined with lessons from the streets of Boston soon paid off. Mark was being invited to play in local clubs, legendary music rooms, and on live radio programs, honing his skills on stage.
A year later, with a Harvard degree in one hand and a guitar in the other, he made his way from Boston to DC, where he put his degree to use in the field of international health. Where most jobs would have dampened his musical drive, this job fueled it. With opportunities to see the world, Mark's songwriting flourished, leading to the 2005 release of his powerful debut CD “Cool Water,” which he hopes will turn more than a few heads in the industry.
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD MY SONGS ONLINE AT...
iTunes
Rhapsody
Napster
Emusic
Amazon
MSN Music
MusicNow
MusicNet
and many others!!!
You're very sweet. Thanks!!! I'm working on the full band version in the studio. Should be interesting. Wish you were here. You could sing on the record!
I see you have not been on in sometime Mark , I just wanted to wish you and yours the very best and peace be with you this Christmas as well as new beginnings with the comming of the new year Always, Lavender
I wanted to tell you, I heard abot you from the good people at Cameron Perks. They love you over there, sounds like with good reason. I can't wait to share the stage sometime.
How's tricks? Just to let you know we've got 2 tracks up for free download, get them while you can. More live dates and new recording coming soon, thanks for your support, stay in touch!
Thanks for the friendship, Mark. These are some cool tunes. I really like the atmosphere and lyricism of Texas Summertime.
I hope you get over to Seattle someday so we can hear you!
Hey Mark, I want you to know that I feel good listening to your music and hope that you will return to Stockholm some time. The summer is nice here when it is bright in the middle of the night.
All of the best to You.
Anki
I'm an independent artist promoting my music on myspace. If you get a chance, please stop by and take a listen to some of my tunes.
If your into Instrumental Rock Guitar, Classic Rock, Pink Floyd, Joe Satriani, Vai, Enigma, Electronic, (things of that nature), I think you'll enjoy my original music
Hello Mark,
I enjoyed your tunes - my favorite is "Coal Alley". I love that cool, LOW sound you've got in that one. Thanks for the add and the kind words.
Greetings from the UK and thanks for the add. I found you the other day while surfing myspace and stopped to listen to all the songs which are fantastic.
Hi Mark!
I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your music, your playing, and what a beautiful voice you have. It's so apparent when an artist is truly being authentic, it draws people in so easily and feels so natural. I am left with such a warm, peaceful feeling this morning after listening to your tunes.
Ready for the day ahead!
Yours in the Music,
Tomey