Phillip Island troubadour, Mark Howard, has shared his musical tales across 45 countries, earning critical acclaim in both his native Australia and across the globe.
Crafting his debut album, ‘Passing Strangers,’ while navigating the global pandemic in his coastal hometown of Phillip Island, Victoria, Mark’s music blends swampy grooves with fresh melodic twists weaving between the boundaries of folk, rock, blues, and alt-country.
With a rich background in theater honing his craft on stage, Mark’s soul-stirring songwriting continues to enchant audiences, leaving an indelible mark both locally and worldwide. His talents have been recognized with multiple accolades from prestigious festivals like the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe.
Having graced the stage alongside iconic Australian artists such as Tim Rogers, Billy Thorpe, Ross Wilson, Tash Sultana, Alex Lloyd, Thirsty Merc, and Pete Murray, Mark has recently traversed Australia, New Zealand, and the UK on an extensive tour, promoting his album, ‘Passing Strangers.’
What first got you into music?
My grade 6 teacher playing Beatles and CCR songs to the class.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
Acting on the stage
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
Self exploration. Alchemizing pain and sorrow into something beautiful.
Do you have any other plans relating to this release? A video? Online Shows?
An animated video taking the audience on an underwater journey will accompany the release.
Are you creative in other disciplines?
I write and perform with a theater company in Melbourne.
Do you enjoy recording and production?
I enjoy being open to and developing new ideas in the studio. A simple sound can create a radical shift in your song’s direction. It’s a truly magical process, and you need to be open to all possibilities.
Where was your current project recorded?
Sunderland Studio on Phillip Island
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
Something that requires a knife and fork. You shouldn’t eat with your hands on a date night, it’s messy and awkward.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
I recently revisited the Mighty Boosh. What fun!!
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
Long John Silver
If you were captain of a ship, what would you call it?
I’m actually the captain of my own vessel. It’s a 3.3m tinny I store on the beach, not far from my house. I’ve named it The Vanity.4
What would you bring along to an idyllic picnic?
Music. You must have a soundtrack.
Mark Unveils an Ode To Lost Love with ‘Scarlette’
Melbourne, Australia – From the whispers of the ocean to the rustling of the coastal vegetation, Phillip Island, Australia based troubadour Mark Howard has woven a sonic masterpiece that moves beyond time and emotion. Released on Friday 16th February 2024, the pop rock single “Scarlette“, dances on the delicate line between love and sorrow, beckoning listeners into a world where heartstrings are plucked by the melodies of a departed romance.
Mixed by Dave Prideaux of Sunderland Studio and mastered by Andy Stewart at The Mill, “Scarlette” reveals a tale that meanders through the passageways of Mark’s personal experiences. It is an ode to a lost love, a relationship unreachable yet maintained in the amber of memory. The song’s heartbeat is resonant with themes of regret, longing, and the search for meaning that leave a lasting impression on the listener’s soul.
When discussing the creative process behind “Scarlette”, Mark says “The song was first workshopped with my previous band on a rainy day in Cape Woolamai. Once the opening lyric, “She breaks” came bursting out, I knew what direction the song would take but it would eventually take a few years to find the right sonic atmosphere.”
Phillip Island troubadour, Mark Howard has shared his musical tales across 45 countries, earning critical acclaim in both his native Australia and around the globe. While creating his debut album, “Passing Strangers”, Mark transcends the borders of folk, rock, blues, and alt-country music by fusing new melodic twists with swampy grooves.
Mark finds inspiration for his symphony of creativity in the vast ocean, the wild outdoors, the magic of theatre, the desire to travel, and the universal language of music. The heart-stirring performances, the comforting embrace of family, the timeless laughter, and the deep lessons learned from difficult times are what feed his soul.
For Mark Howard, the journey is about asking you to feel, to connect, and to take a journey through the currents of the human experience. “Scarlette” invites you to enter into its melody and experience the depths of its reverberating love and grief.
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