Warm Your Bones - Mark Sullivan

We complete our review of some of the stars of the recent Music Maker's Festival with our next LCM featured artist, Hertfordshire based singer-songwriter Mark Sullivan. Mark is an accomplished performer with a massive voice and an ear for writing memorable and immediately familiar sounding songs. He is also a master of the loop pedal and expertly executed guitar solo’s. His vocal has a rich, full with a slightly gravel tone which reminds me of Antonio Lulic. Our LCM #TrackOfTheDay is the very good 'Warm Your Bones', Mark's latest single from his recent EP 'Still Good For Nothing'.

After learning to play guitar Mark formed his first band 'Gekko' at the young age of 15. Gekko went on to become one of the best, most accomplished local bands over the next few years playing shows at some great venues/festivals including Dublin Castle, Bulldog Bash and Rock In The Park as well as performances on local BBC Introducing shows. When the band split in later years Mark continued to play as frontman of 'The Marksman' acoustic duo with percussionist Clint Henderson. In January 2013 he decided to pursue his dream of his originals career as a soloist under management and started performing solo as Mark Sullivan. 

With the solo career starting well and his fanbase growing Mark was starting to play some good venues and getting booked around London a lot more, playing shows at venues such as the 12 Bar Club, Alleycat Bar and Proud, Camden. In August 2014 Mark was booked to perform at Osfest, a growing festival which now boasted a 10.000 attendance which marked the first stepping stone to bigger things. With London shows now a weekly thing Mark was getting booked for special events such as venue launch nights in the city. Off the back of the performance at Osfest the start of 2015 Mark was booked to play a show at The Troubadour, London which in turn secured him a small UK tour with London based music agency Live and Loud. This made way the chance to play at some great venues around the country including Elland Road Stadium, Ricoh Arena, Bolton Arena and Wembley Arena through the start of 2015. Whilst on tour we received confirmation Mark had been selected as a finalist for Government backed 'Rock The House' which was a scheme aimed at finding the best emerging musicians the UK had to offer. Mark performed and won soloist category at The Bedford, London and went on to play at the Houses Of Parliament Guest Rooms, followed a few months later with an exclusive VIP show at the US Ambassadors residence at Winfield House, London. 

This raised Mark's profile higher again and went on in the second half of 2015 to play shows at The Water Rats, Ronnie Scotts, The Bedford, Farr Festival, Marylebone Summer Festival, Rhythms Of The World and also supporting artist Kelvin Jones several times at shows. At the end of 2015 Mark was booked to play a new night at London's 02 Brooklyn Bowl, 'New Blood' which again highlighted the very best emerging musicians on the scene.

Starting 2016 strong he was being booked at some top venues including, The Garage, The Hard
Rock Cafe and Century Club, Soho. With his career now progressing it was time to start recording some new music and after speaking with several top producers, Mark flew out to America (NJ) to record the next EP with Grammy nominated producer Steve Greenwell, and was lucky enough to have some great session players feature on the tracks including Jack Daley on bass. On return from America and the new tracks being prepared for release Mark was invited to London TV to talk about his music and blossoming career which then led to a slot at the first Major festival, Isle Of Wight 2016. After this, booking agency Coallition Talent booked Mark for the well recognised Coffee House Sessions tour around London and were so impressed they booked Mark for two festivals following this, The Big Feastival (20,000) and Camper Calling (6,000).