Mark Schwaber is a veteran of the Western Massachusetts music scene, beginning with hardcore bands in the late 80's and most recently including a shared stage with the Oscar winning songsmiths The Swell Season (of the hit film ONCE). He has released several critically acclaimed CD's under various monikers. The most recent being 2004's eponymous "Two Years and Thirty Minutes" and 2006's "The Killing Card". The latter featured appearances by Ida's Ruth Keating and Killswitch Engage's Joel Stroetzel and was praised far and wide. In 2009 Mark put aside his solo career (for a bit) and joined Lloyd Cole's Small Ensemble. A three piece acoustic trio that made a live record in January 2010, a full band record with Fred Maher (Lou Reed, Bill Frissel, Matthew Sweet), Joan Wasser (Joan as Policewoman, The Damnbuilders), Rainy Orteca (Joan as Policewoman, Joan Osbourne), Dave Derby (The Damnbuilders) and Blair Cowan (Lloyd Cole and the Commotions) amongst others. The record, "Broken Record", was released on September 8th, 2009 and a 7 week sold out European Small Ensemble tour ensued. Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany and Sweden were covered on the first leg. Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, America, Canada, Ireland, England and Spain will be toured throughout the first half of 2011. Mark plays G+L and Taylor Guitars, Kentucky Mandolins and uses D'addario strings, Planet Waves accessories and uses BBE effects.
WINNER OF THE 2005 WRSI (93.9) SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPETITION
WINNER OF THE 2008 VALLEY ADVOCATE GRAND BAND SLAM AWARDS. BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER BY PEOPLE'S CHOICE.
WINNER OF THE 2007 VALLEY ADVOCATE GRAND BAND SLAM AWARDS. BEST SINGER/SONGWRITER BY PEOPLE'S CHOICE.
Simon Rumley's The Living and the Dead trailer. Featuring "The pressure it feeds"
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All music available for download at www.itunes.com
MARK SCHWABER: The Killing CardExperimental songwriter pop.
MARK SCHWABER: two years and thirty minutesDark indie pop. "Absolutely amazing" LOU BARLOW (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, Dinosaur Jr.)
HOSPITAL: 16 endingsMusic for tender ears and tired hearts.Slow, and sometimes brooding pop.
HOSPITAL: s/t"At once stark and luxuriant, the music never overwhelms with angst but instead works a more subtle seduction; it's music for tender ears and tired hearts, a sadcore aficianado's dream come true"
Valley Advocate - 1997
Won for 5 different songs!
"The Killing Card" features Joel Stroetzel of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and Ruth Keating of IDA amongst many others.
Mark has recently toured/performed with LOU BARLOW (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion), MATT BACHAND (Shadows Fall) and STEPHEN BRODSKY (Cave In).
What I felt the more and more I listened to this album was that it is Schwaber's answer to Radiohead's Kid A - a sonic assault bursting at the seams with brilliant melodya testament to Schwaber's brilliance as a song and lyric writer.
- Kristen Beam www.masslive.com
On 'The Killing Card' Mark Schwaber alternates his usual gossamer melodies with moments of laser-like intensity, resulting in a satisfying and beautiful patchwork of that thing we often speak of, but that we rarely really see: Art.
- George Lenker - Union News
When an album gives me chills, it is surely a good sign. Sure the year is young, but this is one of my favorite albums of 2006. Period.
-Casey Hayman - The Local Buzz
Schwabers beautiful fingerpicking, carpal tunnel-punishing flamenco work and silky-smooth pull-offs neatly adorn this ambitious 16-tune efforta ferocious work.
-Gary Carra Nightcrawler
Schwaber has a knack for creating both brilliantly sparse and intelligent tracks while also shaking it up by introducing different instrumentation, keys, and varying levels of emotional intensity blended with his favorite artistic influences. Songs like Man Down and his album closer You are Just Like Me, You Will Never be Free speak to the influential Smith, while more upbeat songs like Island of the Burning Trees will circle through your head long after youve put down your headphones. If you are looking for intelligently crafted, emotional pop with solid rhythms and laid-back harmonies then this is an album you could easily get hooked on.
- Lisa Town - Delusions of Adequacy (www.adequacy.net)
"Mark Schwaber has once again delivered a beautifully written, masterfully performed piece of art. One almost asks whether it's a meticulous process in writing these songs, or simple musical genius. Regardless, unlike most records put out by major-labels this one can be appreciated by all listeners."
- The Phoenix - HCC newspaper
Mark Schwaber - The Killing Card (CD, Pigeon, Progressive pop)
This is an intriguing album that immediately caught our attention. Mark Schwaber creates uniquely entertaining music from a different perspective. His tunes combine highly melodic thoughtful vocal melodies with abstract musical passages.and the end result is extraordinarily effective. Instead of predictable tunes and cute arrangements, Schwaber writes and records mature, intellectual tunes that are sometimes reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens. There is a wealth of material to take in here. The Killing Card presents sixteen thought provoking compositions that flow by seamlessly.combining classic elements with unpredictable spontaneity. This man is bound to be a major player in the years to come. Cool reflective tracks include "The Pressure It Feeds," "Torture Ground," "Island of the Burning Trees," and "You Are Just Like Me. You Will Never Be Free." Recommended. (Rating: 5++) - www.babysue.com
A review of "Two Years And Thirty Minutes"
This creative style of ingenious indie pop provided a perfect mix of music that fully satisfied our thirst for new music. It definitely added a fresh new feel to the atmosphere here at Shut Eye that was enjoyed by all. Quite honestly every song on this album is a gem. And if you're in the mood for headphones then I suggest go ahead and entice yourself to some cerebral audio treats. The subtle sound additions in the background of a few tracks add the perfect garnish to the mix. For instance, I absolutely love the mellow "Crash Your Ride." With simple acoustic guitars and laidback vocals, this song stimulates the airwaves with a sound that is almost fragile. I also love the more upbeat tracks "Let Down" and "Watergun." These songs boast melodious electric guitars, solid rhythms and easygoing vocals that provide a perfect compliment to the music. Chris Lewis - Shut Eye Records
Absolutely amazing.on the second night of the two shows we did together I had caught myself singing along. " LOU BARLOW (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion, Dinosaur Jr.)
The record showcases Schwaber's wide range of talents, from his understatedly brilliant guitar playing (check out the quirky turnaround after the first chorus of "Watergun") to his knack for creating beautiful arrangements (dive into the lovely layers of "Hell is Here" and "Dignity in Death") to his seemingly endless supply of hooks (just try to get the vocal lines on "Let Down" or the guitar line on "Ghosting" out of your head). The mood on Two Years. shifts from straight-up rock to sparse, nylon-string dirges, but the unmistakable constant is Schwaber's superb songwriting. There are 11 songs in this collection, and only two of them break the three-minute mark. Chalk that brevity up to the fact that Schwaber has mastered one of the most important principles of songwriting: Don't overdo it. He never forces lyrics. If he's said everything he needs to say in a single verse, he brings the song in for a gorgeous, graceful landing, as he does on "Crash Your Ride." If he's written a wonderfully funny and catchy verse, he simply repeats it, as he does on "On Your Way." It's a compelling approach -- compelling the listener to revisit the songs again and again and again.
Greg Saulmon - www.masslive.com
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