"Getting at large truths with songs full of human-scale detail and unsentamentalized beauty.”

-Los Angeles Times

        

     Long recognized as one of California’s most passionate and lyrical artists, Mark Davis gathers inspiration from sources both personal and universal, from the simple moments of daily decisions to larger questions of faith and love. 

     2015 has seen three new releases on the Mark Davis front. 

 

“Have I been looking for the key to a door that’s never locked, never been?

If it’s really up to me, I’m thinking that it’s time to let me in.”

 

As one can readily see from this lyric out of “Black Cloud” from Mark Davis and the Inklings’ new release Because There’s Nothing Outside, this is an album about belief and questioning. In a universal sense, it’s a story of someone breaking out of a prison, out of an identity they’ve been squeezed into, and can no longer tolerate. Such a box may be from a cultural/religious upbringing, but ultimately it is self-inflicted.  With Because There’s Nothing Outside, Davis is sticking his feet into these waters and kicking. 

 

“I understand that dealing with religion in one way or another is a very American experience, “ says Davis. “One cannot simply ignore it here. And that can be through external, social/political issues, or through a very personal internal dialogue.”

 

Musically, one of Davis’ hallmarks is a strong, memorable melody, placing him in a territory reminiscent of George Harrison or Peter Case; and most of the tracks feature essentially his edgy voice with a guitar or a piano in a rather raw and vulnerable presentation. All the while, however, these songs are immersed in a sonic soundscape of noises, loops and strings, often unexpected, conjuring shades of Radiohead or the Flaming Lips. At one point in the closing track, “Untitled”, the acoustic instrumentation practically disintegrates before our ears into a sea of distortion, as the lyric culminates into “ and a billion losers left the game with a belly full of sand.” A moment later, we are lifted by beautiful lilting violins - and this tension, or interplay, between beauty and despair is delicately navigated throughout. Guest musicians (the Inklings) on the album include Greenland’s Simon Lynge on guitar, longtime Peter Himmelman bassist Al Wolovitch and Todd Compton on violin.  

 

The second 2015 release is Mark Davis and the Inklings’ From Back of Beyond (In Tribute to Duane Jarvis).  What we have here is a live-to-2-track session Mark and band (including Duane Jarvis on guitar, vocals and mandolin) recorded in one long day at The Control Center in Hollywood back in 1991. Duane is best known for his work with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Frank Black and Rosie Flores. For years after Davis and Jarvis stopped playing together regularly, every time they would cross paths, Jarvis would rave about “the great record” they had made that day.  Upon Duane’s passing in 2009, Davis decided he wanted to put the record out for Duane.  Added to the 1991 tracks are two new recordings of songs Jarvis and Davis wrote together, “Back of Beyond” and “Dove in the Snow,” done at the studio of Kevin Jarvis (DJ’s brother), where some magic was borrowed from Duane’s guitars, played by mutual friend, Rich McCulley. Tracks can be heard and CDs ordered at markdavisinklings.bandcamp.com.  50% of proceeds from the sales of this record will be donated to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund in Duane's honor.

     The third release is the debut album from the group, Shadowlands, consisting of Davis, Danish songwriter/pianist Karoline Hausted, and Bob and Wendy Liepman. Since Davis and Hausted’s move to San Luis Obispo in 2013 (they are married), this tri-vocal plus cello combo came to be rather organically and in its young life has garnered much local raves, including playing the main stage Live Oak Music Festival and winning a New Times Music Award for best song. See shadowlandscalifornia.com for more info.

         

     Mark first garnered attention from fans and critics in 1989, during Southern California’s highly acclaimed Nu-Folk Scene. In 1993, his band, Mark Davis and the Inklings (the name based on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien’s “round table” of writers) headlined the ASCAP showcase at SXSW, and also performed at the CMJ convention after the magazine featured the band’s cassette release as a “Jackpot” pick in its Futures column. After growing tired of striving for the mythical “brass ring” of a major record deal, Mark decided to create a collection of recordings for his liking alone.  Thus was born the 1995 release You Came Screaming, graced by several talented contributors, including the late-great guitarist Duane Jarvis (Lucinda Williams, Frank Black), guitarist and singer Andrew Williams (Williams Brothers, produced Peter Case), cellist Martin Tillman (Wild Colonials), bassist Al Wolovitch (Peter Himmelman Band) and violinist Todd Compton.  Since its self-release in 1995, you came screaming has received astounding praise, including being named by Los Angeles Times music critic Mike Boehm as 1995’s Album of the Year (from anywhere) and the #1 Album of The Decade out of Orange County.



“Davis is truly a master of his craft… able to lift spirits even while supporting the weight of the world.”

- Orange County Register

 

        Mark spent the most part of the late 90’s living in Brittany, France, where he played in pubs, wrote songs, learned French, and began writing his first book, god in chains.  Also during this time, Mark would visit Southern California a few weeks at a time to record his second CD, Immaculate.  With the collaborative help of guitarist/engineer Matt Walin, bassist Al Wolovitch, drummer Monte McConnell, and guitarist/co-producer Casey Dolan, the result was more electric and experimental than You Came Screaming’s dreamy song-cycle.

        Davis currently lives in San Luis Obispo, California, with Danish songwriter Karoline Hausted, who play together in the groups To Wake You and Shadowlands. Davis is also the author of the book, God In Chains, a spiritual autobiography and companion piece to Because There’s Nothing Outside.