From the windswept shores of Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia, a new anthem has emerged to shake the indie rock scene. Mark Howard, the island’s much-loved troubadour, has just released “The Light Behind Us”. This latest single is a rally call for all those wanting out of life’s hustle and bustle and needing residence in the simple, carefree life. With the signature of his indie rock, Mark tells the story of hope and rebellion as his melodies crash against the cliffs: never-remitting waves, raw and unbounded.
“The Light Behind Us” is an alternative rock track and second single release from his upcoming album, Deep Dark Blue, mixed by Dave Prideaux and mastered by Andy Stewart at The Mill.
The song speaks heavily of yearning for something drastic to change and an urge to get away from the gravity of life in favour of a far more easy-going lifestyle. The power of Mark’s signature sound resonates with that of The Cure or PJ Harvey and the chorus as anthemic as any offering from The Killers.
The song moves with the force of drums, ringing guitar lines, and the warmth of Mark’s voice as he tells his story through poetic lyrics. There is a mystery in this and an underlying sense of urgency that pulls the listener aboard for the journey.
The story behind the creation of “The Light Behind Us” is almost as intriguing as the song. “I sat down with my guitar and a bird came tapping at my window.” he says, “I wrote down the first lyric and got to work. Once I had the blueprint I took it to the studio, tried a few different keys and tempos until I found a place where the song came to life”.
With 45 countries of experience, sharing his musical stories from his very core with people across the globe, Mark Howard’s music can best be described as “Coastal Rock kissed by the sun with the promise of a storm.” Experiences of grief, struggle, and pure joy derive from stories held deep within. In this honesty, he has won awards from the Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringe Festivals. His last single, “Scarlette,” went to number 8 on the AMRAP charts.
Mark Howard fans brace themselves once again for that jaw-droppingly deep connection that has, in so many ways, become his calling card. Fans connect worldwide with his music, drawn from the ocean, the wild outdoors, and the human experience. “The Light Behind Us” by Mark Howard finds an expression once more in how he can craft songs with enough depth to bring solace and inspiration to those who meet his art.
You can find more of Mark Howard at:
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You can listen to ‘The Light Behind Us’ at:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.