News & Updates
APRIL 2023 NEWSLETTER
GRACE IN THE REARVIEW
On May 17th I’ll celebrate the 25th anniversary of my self-titled debut on Signature Sounds Recordings by re-releasing it to streaming services! Thanks to the generous support from many of you on this newsletter list, when you stream the album (or download it from my Bandcamp site) it will also include a newly-recorded version of “Northern Star” that features a string quintet. I’ve never dared to look behind me to this extent, afraid I’d lose track of where I was going. Starting out, I was so certain of where I was heading and felt I couldn’t take my eyes off the prize for a second. Now, those very prizes I was so fixated on don’t really exist anymore. Truthfully, I no longer really have any idea of where I’m going, but I know where I am: I’m proudly closing a circle that I began drawing a quarter century ago.
In 1999, I was finishing up a master’s degree in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at UMASS Amherst. I had ostensibly moved to western Massachusetts to continue my education, but my true intention was to dive headlong into its fertile indie music scene. I haunted places like the Fire & Water Café, the Iron Horse Music Hall, and many others, trying to hear everything and meet everyone. I quickly set my sights upon the dream of getting a record deal with indie label Signature Sounds and, almost inexplicably, it actually happened. My debut was set to be released one month before I defended my thesis.
At the tail end of the 1900s, my dreams were still forged by the music biz I grew up with: megastars, megahits, artists and songs that everyone knew. After my surefire indie success, I had my sights set on “graduating” to a major label, with widespread acclaim and stardom to follow. It started out auspiciously enough. After finishing my master’s, I headed down to Texas for the Kerrville Folk Festival, where I won the prestigious New Folk Award, joining past winners like Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith. My album got a featured review in the industry bellweather Billboard Magazine. It was really exciting.
But the record never took off commercially, an artistic success that nonetheless lost a bunch of people a bunch of money. I sold all my remaining copies at gigs, and when I parted ways with Signature Sounds nine years later, my debut record fell off of streaming services. For years, it’s been hard to look back and reconcile my feelings about my self-titled debut. I was so proud of it, so convinced it would change my life, and yet my overall impression was that it had let me down.
And yet…that record did change my life. I’m far from a household name, and I’ve had to fight harder than I could ever have anticipated to make the art I believe in…but I’m still here! When I re-recorded “Northern Star” a couple months ago, I thought it would be a nice little bonus for listeners both familiar with, and new to, my debut. What I didn’t expect was to literally tear up every time I listen to the track. But I do. I hear years of dedication to my craft, and a spirit that remains hopeful and strong, but I also hear a 24 year-old kid doing his best, with no way to possibly know what the world had in store for him.
That story is still being written, but I’d like to think I can now look back at that kid and extend a little grace, and some gratitude for being stubborn enough to help me get this far. Speaking of gratitude, thanks to all of you for following along these past 25 years. And here’s to the next quarter century together.
STRING QUINTET SHOWS
This summer, I'll be playing three extremely special shows at venues I've always wanted to headline. To celebrate, I'm doing something I've never done before: playing with a string quintet as my backing band! Zachariah Hickman will join me on bass, along with some of Boston's premiere players on violins, viola, and cello. Come hear some of my music like you've never heard it before. All three of these shows are on sale now, and I hope you'll join me for these truly special evenings in beautiful environments. Tickets on sale now!
Thu Jul 18 - Opera House, Bellows Falls VT
Fri Jul 19 - Black Birch Vineyards, Hatfield MA
Sat July 20 - Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport MA
2ND SHIFT MUSIC SERIES
The music series I curate for the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation wraps up its Spring 2024 season this month with shows by Caroline Spence (with special guest Mary Bragg) on May 2nd, and our season closer Mike + Ruthy (of The Mammals) on May 16h. Get your tickets now and make a plan to treat yourself to some great music.
PATREON
Join our Patreon community!
Like Donna Summer, I’m working hard for my money over on Patreon! I’d love to have you become a member and pledge your support. This month, I’ll be sharing a record recommendation for Tom Rush’s classic live album New Year, the story behind the “Do It Everyday,” the lead-off track on my self-titled 1999 debut, and a brand new one-man band demo of an unreleased song called “Always Amazed.” The newsletter and all you get here is free, but the stuff I create for Patreon is not available anywhere else.
MP3 of the MONTH
This month’s free song is a solo acoustic performanc of “Do It Everyday,” recorded live at Pennsylvania’s acclaimed folk venue Godfrey Daniels. It’s available for free for the month of May on my Bandcamp page. Enjoy!
TOUR DATES
Barnstar! just released our third album—our first in nine years!
You can get it HERE and be sure to come out to one of our release shows!
Barnstar! Furious Kindness Album Release Tour!
TONIGHT! - Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River MA (Lisa Bastoni opens)
Sat Apr 27 - Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield ME
Sun Apr 28 - Groton Hill Music Center, Groton MA {3 tickets left!}
Wed May 1 - The Drake, Amherst MA
Thu May 2 - The Word Barn, Exeter NH
Fri May 3 - Crystal Ballroom, Somerville MA (Celia Woodsmith opens)
Sat May 4 - The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Harbor ME
Sun May 5 - The Park Theatre, Jaffrey NH
Barnstar! rides again, kicking off our Furious Kindness album release tour tonight in Fall River MA. Tired? Anxious? Apathetic? Fretful about the state of the union? WE GOT YOU. We guarantee you 90 or so minutes of not being able to think about much else other than how fantastic (and handsome) this band is.
Wed May 15 - Bandcamp Listening Party! - 3 pm ET
If you're on this email list, you probably know I love albums. There's something special about listening to an entire record from top to bottom. In celebration of re-releasing my debut album, I'm hosting an online listening party on Bandcamp at at 3 pm ET (noon on the west coast, 8 pm in the UK, etc). We'll all be able to listen through at the same time, and I'll be in the chat answering questions and sharing anecdotes from the recording process. You can join on your laptop or phones. I'm grateful for your support all these years, and can't wait to share a new version of "Northern Star" with you! On the 15th of May, you can join the listening party on Bandcamp.
Fri May 17 - I Shall Be (Re)Released!
My self-titled 1999 Signature Sounds debut will be re-released on all major streaming platforms, along with a bonus track, a newly-recorded, reimagined version of “Northern Star” with a string quintet! While there are no physical CDs or LPs, the album is available as a digital download at my Bandcamp store.
Opening for John Hiatt!
Sat May 25 - City Winery, Boston MA - 7:30 pm (wait list available!)
Fri May 31 - Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown NY - 8 pm (low tickets!)
On the short list of singer/songwriters who most inspired me when I was starting out as an artist, John Hiatt is easily in the top 5. So many great songs, and what a voice! I opened up for him once before, over 20 years ago. Though he was sick as a dog, he did one of the best solo acoustic shows I’ve ever seen. I didn’t even get to meet him, but I’ve got two chances this month to see if I can introduce myself and thank him for all the great songs he’s given us over the years.
SIDEMAN SECTION
No sideman gigs this month, but you never do know where I’ll pop up next.
ON THE HORIZON
Special summer shows with my string quintet!
Thu Jul 18 - Opera House, Bellows Falls VT
Fri Jul 19 - Black Birch Vineyards, Hatfield MA
Sat July 20 - Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport MA
peace,
mark
Watch Mark’s performance from the 2019 Americanafest at the Ryman Auditorium!
You can check out a special episode of Austin City Limits featuring highlights from this year's Americanafest (like yours truly performing with Lori McKenna, Josh Ritter, J.S. Ondara & Shawn Colvin) on PBS starting this Saturday at 10 pm CT! Check out this teaser video & go to http://acltv.com/watch/tv-schedule/ & click on "check your local PBS listings" to find out exactly when it will air in your market.
