Since going out into the world with his unique songs and style in 2010, Mark Harrison has rapidly established an ever-growing reputation. His highly individual, all-original music has been going down very well with audiences of all kinds, and it has taken him to some of the top venues and festivals in the UK, attracting acclaim wherever he goes. It strikes a chord with people who have never heard anything like it, as well as with people with a love of roots music. Mark has taken the style of the early blues and folk/blues innovators, and given it modern relevance. His songs all have something to say or a story to tell. With their memorable tunes, striking lyrics and strong rhythms, they make people think, smile and move. He is doing something genuinely fresh and different, tapping into the timeless quality of ‘old’ music to produce something brand new and totally relevant to the present day. Regularly described as one of the best blues and roots artists in the country, Mark is a thrilling, rhythmic finger-picker and slide player, with a very distinctive style and sound. An in-demand live performer, he is currently touring all over the UK. He appears solo and with his band, which consists of some of the UK’s top roots musicians. With them he has already released four albums which have been unanimously acclaimed across a wide range of areas of the music world, receiving a very great deal of airplay and highly enthusiastic reviews in the UK, Europe and the US. Recently Mark has appeared at top festivals such as Celtic Connections, where his headline concert was a sell-out, and at prestigious venues all over the UK. He also received two nominations in the British Blues Awards (Songwriter & Acoustic) in 2015 and 2016. In 2015 he released the acclaimed live album On The Chicken Sandwich Train and 2016 sees the release of his eagerly anticipated new studio album TURPENTINE, which is all set to provide him with a major breakthrough. TURPENTINE features 13 original songs in his trademark style, covering a wide range of non-standard topics, including a host of ruminations on modern life, and depictions of the lives and era of the great early blues artists. Superbly produced by Tim Bazell of Heart of Gold Studios in London, TURPENTINE (release date 26th August ) presents the songs in a wide variety of line-ups from full band to solo and all points in between. In addition to Mark on National & 12-string guitars, it features Charles Benfield (double bass), Ed Hopwood (drums, percussion, harmonica) and Paul Tkachenko (mandolin, piano, organ, accordion). As with Mark’s previous albums, TURPENTINE is beautifully packaged, with superb artwork by We Are Frank. Here are a few of the things that have been said about Mark and his music: ‘really excellent … he takes very real things, normal things that happen in life, and he writes about them in a way that makes you think afresh about them’ (Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2) ‘one of the British Isles’ great blues singers and guitarists …. totally and absolutely original’ (Mike Harding) ‘wonderful rootsy blues ….. innovative’ (Jazz FM) ‘singular lyrics …an original take on song writing’ (Blues in Britain) ‘Mark Harrison has been creating something of a stir …. bringing a modern outlook to a traditional style, he is building a loyal and wide fan base.’ (Blues Matters) On Mark’s website, there is all information, including music, videos, photos, bio, and gigs listings. http://www.markharrisonrootsmusic.com