Lucas Marks is a singer songwriter from the North West of England who first began to write lyrics after a long silent meditation retreat. Lyrics and music began to flow up from within in a regular stream. He honed the craft by performing at local pubs with other musicians, trying out new material, playing to the audience in the moment.
Marks: "I have always been interested in people's stories, narratives, motivations, feelings. What gets said and what doesn’t. The way words are used."
This comes through in his lyrics which question and confront what it is to be human. How we both live in our own stories and are defined by them. He has always been fascinated by artists who weave words and music into a meaningful and original shape, neither taking precedence over the other. Artists who are attuned to both so that it becomes unclear which came first, which is chicken and which is egg. Artists like Joni Mitchell, John Martyn or Paul Simon.
Music for Marks is all about the moment. The moment that lyrics begin to flow after barren times. The moment when the song comes into being either as an idea, a voice, a word, a chord or a melody. A conscious attempt to develop and nurture what emerges only to let it go again. Another moment when it returns in a new and unexpected form. Ensuing times of hunting and 'stalking' the song, quietly watching it but not getting too close and not pouncing too soon lest it retreat or crumble. The moment of recording, working spontaneously with musicians who are not familiar with the material, not had time to practice or polish it. The song, captured like a delicate and fragile flower, nevertheless develops its own continuity, its own momentum.
However his songs are also there to be thrashed out, to entrance, to provoke, to seduce, to testify. He cites multiple musical influences from punk bands of the 70s like the Clash to the folk tradition of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan to contemporary British song writers like David Gray and Noah and the Whale.
In his debut CD ,'The Glorious Unknown', Marks primarily explores relationships from a variety of viewpoints. The very first words: 'Be scared, be very aware, be inspirational' exhort the listener to live for the moment and to not take anything for granted (in case someone gets burned). Whilst the last words of the final track optimistically exclaim 'I feel like we're almost there'. This is a solid body of work which encompasses a variety of styles from thrashy guitar to folk rock to country.
The first song that stands out is 'Radio Silence', a catchy tune and natural single that deals with the awkward subject matter of disconnection and failure of communication.
Marks: "I heard the expression 'radio silence' and it made me think of those times in relationships when one partner has withdrawn into their own world for whatever reason. The other partner is always left not quite knowing, feeling shut out and alone. I particularly enjoyed playing with the lyrics and the dual meaning of 'wireless'. Musically it was the dominant and distinctive drum and bass rhythm which John (Kettle) introduced which brings the track alive together with a solid lead solo."
Northern Star is a love song that moves to its own rhythm with a compelling bass beat below melodious acoustic guitar and soul searching vocal.
Marks: "This song came to me almost fully formed once the first phrase had appeared. I had to work a bit on the chorus but was happy with the notion of a competing 'lunatic moon' (with all its implications) and yet the solid anchor of this man’s love, the Northern star shining through. I particularly love the luxuriant and hypnotic bass contrasting with clean acoustic guitars and the painfully delicate Rhodes synth."
Another strong track is the country song, 'See you around'. The narrative describes a man with travel in his bones trying honestly to declare what he can and cannot give in his relationship. In a stripped back production, it sounds as old as the hills.
Marks: "I wrote this song with Kerouac in mind and enjoyed the emerging imagery. The first verse – 'I'll see you when a blood red sun, bleeding on this desert sand, tattoos your face and hands...'soon evoked other images of snow, wind, big clear skies, birthdays and Sundays. I like the way Dave (Boardman) sparsely wraps the lead guitar around the reedy, haunting harmonica in an arrangement that starts off Michelle Shocked and becomes 50s Johnny Cash complete with plodding bass and bare drums."
The final track on the CD, another love song, describes a man reviewing his life and love. Remorse for past mistakes and regret for actions not taken funnel into an expansive and optimistic finale.
Marks: "This is a song very close to my heart and each word feels full of meaning and importance. I like the phrase 'played my hand with cards faced down, thought I'd turned to stone...' The music interests me because the rhythm can feel a bit jerky at first and it’s as though you need to hear it for a while before you can start to trust it. I love the hopeful finale of soaring guitar and vocal."
All Mark's songs were recorded and produced in Jaraf studios, Wigan by John Kettle over a two week period.