Born and bred in Brisbane, with a Samoan/French background, Mark grew up surrounded by music. He first picked up a guitar at 16 and unlocked a creativity and passion that has been the root of his expression. It is this creativity and compulsion for pure musical expression and a heart-felt desire to impact people lives with his music that drives Mark.
Mark launched his debut EP at UBER in Brisbane to a crowd of over 350 and quickly followed that with successful shows in Melbourne and around South East Queensland. He recently finished filming the music video for his debut single, Butterfly.
2009 has shaped up to be a big year with shows in Auckland and performances at Parachute in Hamilton, New Zealand and EasterFest in Toowoomba, Pasifika and regular shows in Sydney, Melbourne and more across south east Qld, with a far north Qld and South Pacific tour, including New Zealand, PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and culminating at Fest Napuan, Vanuatu in November.
Over the past two years, Mark’s profile has grown locally, and some key achievements to date include regular performances at Brisbane Festival, Stylin Up and the Zillmere and Roma Street multi-cultural festivals. Mark won Acoustic in the Park '06, and was one of the headline acts for ICON Creative Summit '06, '07 and '08. More recently Mark has performed at a number of Brisbane's live music festivals and venues, including Fortitude Rising, Pasifika, Ric's Bar, The Fringe Bar and The Zoo, The Globe and SolBar in Coolum. He regularly gigs at The Beachhouse in Brisbane and The Oxford Hotel in Sydney. The age finalist for the 2007 FretFest Find Of The Year, Mark has also performed at a number of venues at the Woodford Folk Festival and is a major supporting artist for the Hope for Homeless cause.
Describing his sound as good acoustic, rootsy soul music; Mark conveys his influences as many and changing, but of particular note are Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Ruthie Foster, Ben Harper, Erik Badu, Bob Marley and John Mayer.
FINALLY! Monkiblood’s new EP “Get To Know Me” will be launched on 14 Nov 2009 at The Globe with special guests Mark Lowndes and Heroes Envy. It’s gonna be a punk fueled, rock driven, funked up night that will blow you away. Doors open at 7pm! Tickets for sale now at www.oztix.com.au for $10 (Door $12). New shirts and the new “Get To Know Me” EP will be available for purchase on the night. This is it everyone … it’s a MONKIBLOOD funkin’ punkin’ rockin’ roll party like no other!! Even Grandma is coming … R U ??
Hi Mark, how are you? I'm living in Sydney now, which is cool! Pretty big change for me. :) Was listening to your EP on the train the other day, and thought it would be cool to see you live again sometime. Any chance you'll be over this way soon?? And, do you know if you are going to Parachute again next year? That would be awesome. I know people there would love to see your talent :) Love to hear from you! Take care, Micah
Samoan Tsunami Fundraiser 2009 Hey brother, well our homeland has had alot of saddness. My Aunty and neise are still missing. So only thing to do is sing my friend. Everyone out there please send your love and support to our Samoan family. Info soon on when and when for fundraiser in the Byron Shire soon. Mark give me a call if you are available to play for it down this way. We are doing a concert in the park. Hope all your family is ok and sending my love to you all. Love Elena
hows it goin mann...hope all is good with you and your family...thanks for the heads up on the "stompfoot" i just got mine from a store in manly. i asked them for a bigfoot one and they just put one on sale for a trial...adds alot of vibe to my sets mann..hope life is treating you well.. keep up the good music..
Sup maark ! longtime noo see . wats been happening ? hey we all enojoying that BMAC thingy . you coming to one of them or the camp thats coming up ayyes ?? well hope to see you soon . Keep it up buddy !!
Hi Mark! How are you??? mmmmmm I reckon u still dont know "la camisa negra" haha.... anyways, i give up! lol Hope everything is ok!!! Take care!! chao!
Oh awesome!!! Cant wait woohoo!!! See you then =) Rachael is stoked about the keyboard lol i have a feeling i wont need to set my alarm anymore lol Oh and all good about the delays ... Kos how about the last time i was on myspace was when i commented you last lol and that was the only thing done on my account haha im on facebook now... im practically jumping from one network to another lol anyways cant wait too see you again... and this time, its gon be off the HOOK lol
Ooh, new page layout... nice! Haven't stopped by your page in a while but I was listening to your EP again today so that prompted me to stop by & say hi. Still absolutely in love with the tracks & I will play that CD til it wears out! Haha. So just wondering... any new releases in the pipelines? Always hungry for new music, lol. Hope all well! Kriss :)
u been snobbing me have ya? ahhaha! nah not sure if u have been recieving my texts or not? butt if not....
TUESDAY NIGHT!!! bigg night at brisbane city! you HAVE to come along.. we are playing rochedale.. its a top of the table clash.. andd kick off is at 8:30pm..
its a holiday for everyone the next day.. so no excuses aiight bro
woohoo!!! See you then =) Rachael is stoked about the keyboard lol i have a feeling i wont need to set my alarm anymore lol Oh and all good about the delays ... Kos how about the last time i was on myspace was when i commented you last lol and that was the only thing done on my account haha im on facebook now... im practically jumping from one network to another lol anyways cant wait too see you again... and this time, its gon be off the HOOK lol
