Australian Singer-Songwriter Mark Wilkinson Releases New EP ‘Golden Afternoons’
January 12, 2024 BY Emma Orland
Today, Australian troubadour Mark Wilkinson shares his nuanced and heartfelt new EP Golden Afternoons. Mark centers around the theme of duality and accepting your own weaknesses and strengths in life. Mark reminds himself to “Embrace the Ride,” to let go and feel alive in each moment. Produced in Nashville alongside Owen Lewis (Paris Paloma, Old Sea Brigade, Snow Patrol), the seven-song effort sees the impassioned songwriter reconcile with his insecurities while finding the confidence to take risks despite the fear of failure. The result is a dynamic release with pin-drop moments and grandiose heights. Listen to Golden Afternoons on all digital retailers (here).
Mark explains, “The EP explores the fine line between light and dark as well as confidence and uncertainty, which are the two states I’m constantly between as an artist and songwriter. Each song touches on these themes as they float through this body of work. It’s a reflection of the balancing act.”
Mark is also proud to announce the Golden Afternoons 2024 Australian Tour kicking off on April 11th in Fortitude Valley, QLD. Find the full list of tour dates below and for more information visit: www.markwilkinson.com.
Watch & Share “Embrace The Ride” Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCOjjXaX56w
ABOUT MARK WILKINSON:
Life never follows a linear road. Rather, it often forks as we do our best to keep pace in the middle. Mark Wilkinson treads this path in his music. He acknowledges hardship and darkness, only to step into the embrace of the light. The Sydney-based singer and songwriter acutely details this journey through relatable storytelling and hummable songcraft. By considering and understanding life’s extremes from the middle, he gets closer to himself on his new EP, Golden Afternoons.
After building an international profile by bringing his music directly to the people as a popular busker, he has creatively leveled up with each successive release. He captivated audiences with the likes of Let The River Run [2013], Hand Picked, Vol. 2 [2015], Wasted Hours [2018], and Blue Eyed Girls [2019]. Along the way, he catapulted to #1 on the Australian Independent Charts and sold in excess of 80,000 units. Since the release of 2022’s Mariposa EP, he’s impressively racked up millions of streams on Spotify and garnered support from Americana Highways, The Bluegrass Situation, and The Wild Is Calling who said, “We see star power and mainstream potential in the spirit of Mumford and Sons, Mt. Joy, or the Lumineers.” Standout single “Grafton St” also found fans at SiriusXM Coffeehouse.
This time around, he changed up the process. Mark decamped to Nashville, TN where he recorded what would become Golden Afternoons with producer Owen Lewis (Paris Paloma, Old Sea Brigade, Snow Patrol) in just two weeks.
“It was my first time making a project in Nashville,” he reveals. “It was exciting to see the whole thing come together over a short period and work with some amazing musicians. It progresses from the previous EP—which was made in a space of the end of the Pandemic and not knowing anything about what was going to happen. This music comes out of that period with confidence, trying to trust yourself and looking forward to a brighter tomorrow.”
MARK WILKINSON IN THE PRESS…
“Sometimes you catch a voice that makes your heart just soar, and Mark Wilkinson has one of those voices. So emotive, so moving…”
– Americana Highways
“…a sense of nostalgia mixed with an optimism about the future…”
– The Bluegrass Situation
“Wilkinson has a reminiscent sound of Ed Sheeran’s early days, and a Ray LaMontagne-style soul. Blending these elements together with his unique story-telling ability, the singer creates a sonic experience to move you to tears.”
– Music Mecca
“…showcasing Wilkinson’s powerful vocal performance… he tells the story of an embattled soul searching for happiness as he recounts the ups and downs of his own life.”
– Variance Magazine
“We see star power and mainstream potential in the spirit of Mumford and Sons, Mt. Joy, or the Lumineers.”
– The Wild Is Calling
Track List:
01. Taking Our Time
02. Movie Scene
03. Promises
04. Time Floats Away
05. The Road to Your Heart
06. Fair-Weather Friend
07. Embrace The Ride
MARK WILKINSON 2024 TOUR DATES:
Apr 11 Fortitude Valley, QLD @ Stranded Bar
Apr 12 Eumundi, QLD @ Imperial Hotel
Apr 13 Currumbin, QLD @ Dust Temple
Apr 19 Newcastle, NSW @ Lizotte’s
Apr 20 Cronulla, NSW @ Brass Monkey
Apr 26 Canberra, ACT @ Smith’s Alternative
Apr 27 Wagga Wagga, NSW @ Civic Theatre
May 3 Bulli, NSW @ Heritage Hotel
May 4 Sydney, NSW @ The Great Club
May 10 Melbourne, VIC @ Bird’s Basement
May 11 Crewsick, VIC @ Odessa at Leaver’s
May 18 Taree, NSW @ Bohemian Café
May 19 Abermain, NSW @ Quirkz in the Hunter
May 23 Aldinga, SA @ Cooee Arthouse
May 24 Adelaide, SA @ Trinity Sessions
May 25 Perth, WA @ Lyric’s Underground
May 26 Fremantlle, WA @ Kidogo Arthouse
