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Singer-Songwriter Mark Howard releases dynamic debut album, Passing Strangers

Mark Howard, a singer-songwriter from Phillip Island, Australia has just released his debut album, Passing Strangers.

With a background in theatre, years of experience performing, and being able to place 45 pins into his world map of countries performed, it is tough to believe that Mark Howard only released his solo music debut album, Passing Stranger, in December 2022. The album features what might be described as Mark’s signature ‘swampy’ sound while pushing the boundaries of folk, rock, blues, and alt-country. Notably, it is the inclusion of elements from pop, electronic, and lo-fi music in an unobtrusive way while also stirring all genres together that grab the listener and refuse to let go. The 12-track album is thoroughly dynamic and is sure to reveal new elements with each listen.

Listeners begin their journey with the opening track, “Pick Me Up,” a plea to be elevated beyond our current circumstances. Energy levels rise before transitioning onto the “Wide Open Road,” which is of course as much to listen to while driving as it is while dancing (if you’re into that kind of thing). A personal favorite of Mark’s, “Here I Am” is an emotive love song that pours through memory lane with a sense of longing. “LOVE” stands out as a track that travels the outskirts of synthpop, while “Lighthouse” maintains a strong ethereal quality. “I Am Not Afraid” is a rousing call to arms in this battle of life, and closing track to “To be a Man is a Curse” plays like you’re sitting in a room with Mark at the piano singing only to you.

Passing Strangers is available now on all major platforms, including Mark Howard’s Bandcamp and we added “Wide Open Road” to our Alchemical Spotify playlist.

Daniel Warren Hill

Daniel Warren Hill is an American musician, writer, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the frontman for Washington DC area Alternative Rock band YellowTieGuy, as co-founder of Capitol Groove Collective, and increasing the exposure of artists on a global scale through his work with Alchemical Records. 

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Foghat Sonic Mojo 2024 Tour. Fillmore Silver Spring, MD March 9
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Foghat’s Roger Earl Refuses to Slow His Ride

By this point in his life, Foghat founding drummer Roger Earl has visited quite a few doctors. But what may be surprising is that the percussionist, 77, is quick to point out that many of the medical professionals who have worked on him also enjoy rocking out.

“Nearly all the doctors and surgeons I know, they all play something: trumpet, sax, violin, guitar,” Earl said recently. “There’s not too many drummers that are surgeons, there’s probably a good reason for that!”

Earl half-jokingly invites his surgeon-rockers to join him and the other members of Foghat onstage at the Fillmore in Silver Spring March 9, where they will be headlining the Rock and Roll for Children Foundation benefit for the Children’s Inn at NIH. Earl, the only original member of Foghat still in the band, will be banging the skins behind guitarist Bryan Bassett and other members Scott Holt and Rodney O’Quinn. “Slow Ride,” the band’s 1975 megahit, is all but assured to be on the setlist, along with tunes from Foghat’s most recent record, “Sonic Mojo.”

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