subvocal is a psychedelic folk-noir project, started and maintained
by Mark Adkins based in Madison, Wisconsin.
The project / band gained much support from the local community, winning best band (Madison Area Music Awards 2004) and best CD for Nikkis Room (Madison Area Music Awards 2005). Also nominated in 2007 for "Best Song" and "Best Artist" in the "unique" genre. (MAMAS)
Adkins arrived in Madison, WI from No. California where living in the wilderness, he wrote songs, played guitar and rolled around in the mud. The ambient sounds of subvocal first started taking root at that time. Adkins moved to Wisconsin in 1997 and met guitarist, Brad Graham and cellist, Steve Pingry. With the addition of vocalist, Vanessa Tortolano and percussionist, Gregory Thornburg subvocal was born. They began playing out at select local venues, quickly gaining a large and devout fan base. subvocal has also had the pleasure to work with cellist, Jennifer Baron who now resides in London and singer-songwriter, Brian Daly. subvocal can be booked as a solo ambient / acoustic show or as a band comprised of different configurations. In either case the sound is rich, full and dynamic and will propel listeners to another world.
subvocal has performed on these radio and TV programs: Lee Rayburn show (Air America Radio), WMMM (105.5), WSUM (campus radio), WORT (community radio), KMUD (California) and the NBC morning show (ch 15 - Wisconsin).
subvocal has performed at these venues: The Barrymore Theater, The High Noon Saloon, The Annex, Luthers Blues, Mother Fools., Cafe Galleria (CAL), The Derby, Hollywood, CA, The Crystal Grand Theater, WI, The Redstone Room (IOWA), The King Club, Restaurant Magnus, The Madison Area Music Awards ceremony, WORT (89.9) Block Party, Jerry Fest (Ohio) The Cafe Montemart...
"Possession", from Nikkis Room was used in an advertising campaign for the Toyota Scion. Another song from the CD, Judi, is about environmental activist, Judi Bari and has received much airplay in Cal. Another cut from the CD, Fields Of War, is about our involvement in Iraq.
My dear Friends! Thank you so much for your amazing and insightful comments and messages over the past few months! I hope you are ALL doing magnificently, living in the NOW right now, living in the Light. I am very happy to let you know that on August 17, 2009, I opened my solo Family Medicine clinic here in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, called Healing Waters Family Medicine. I find that an important thing I am having to do is get the old community-health-center-practice-model out of ME so I can realize my dreams here. At first, I was surprised how little the job had changed even though I was in a new and beautiful place. Slowly it has dawned on me that as I change myself, my clinic will change.
As I let go of fear I find I that one can move at my own pace at work, take time to be with myself and with others throughout the day, time to really think about things, enjoy life. I think I can do this! At least I did it today! And most of the time this week!and I can do it everyday as long as I...well I guess as long as the bills don't exceed the money coming in.
It is quite odd that at the time when I am realizing my dream to have the vehicle that I thought would be my part of "healing the world," I am letting go of my idea of healing the world! Maybe it does not need to be healed! Maybe it is really ok and doing all right as it is.
I am working a lot and every night I get pissed off when I am staying after 8 pm trying to figure out how to enter billing codes and struggling with my bad typing etc until late...but then I go home and I feel free, nothing hanging over my head.
So I may not be able to write very often but I APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU GREATLY. You are in my heart and my thoughts. .
Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?
A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:
Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella
Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.
Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.
I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4
Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people.
I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site some time.
For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!).
You might enjoy watching some of my films (use the on screen controls to skip between them):
You off to Song school this year? Noticed you have a gig in Colorado so perhaps that means you are? Unfortunately monies and time don't allow me to come out this year with this new album release - even had my songschool ticket but had to give it up in the end as couldn't do everything.......gutted!!
Hope you are well and if you are going big hugs to all! Rachx
Hey, subvocal...feels good to add a comment to your page!!
In shamanic drumming, at least as some of us drum today, there is a tradition of soul retrieval. The thought is that when we have very painful experiences, a fragment of our soul can actually break off and leave us. We enter sacred Space to call back the missing piece.
It occurs to me that what we often call our minds may really be a collection of many many holes where Soul has left. Our infant Soul is wounded, splits off, and is replaced by the gray armour of the adult mind.
The gift is, we can call our soul back. It will come home.
I've written a new song that I really like. It's posted on my site : Colors Of My Soul.
not a problem! we enjoyed you guys alot. there arent many other acoustic groups in madison that arent your run of the mill college pop garbage. we had a great time. jon
