Finding Mojo

It’s finally happening and I’m beyond excited as I’m due to record my second album 31st October - 6th November in Birmingham! It’s been such a long time coming..seems like a million hurdles to leap over but the stars are finally aligned and I’m stargazing baby! 

Finding your voice isn’t just about singing: it’s about knowing who you are inside and out. As a songwriter it’s about knowing what you want to say and saying it loud and proud.  It doesn’t happen overnight that’s for sure!

The truth is somewhere along my journey - I fell out of love with my artistry big time. I felt like a single fish in a shoal of grey fish: so many voices speaking at once, swimming upstream against the tide. Somewhere in the maelstrom of voices I lost my own. Singing and writing became more mechanical than magical. Something wasn’t right and I felt myself slipping into a black hole.. desperately clinging on. Life has this habit of getting in the way…

I’m not entirely sure when I found my mojo again. I partly attribute it to my travels - opening my mind and heart to a whole new way of life. Travel fills my sails and makes me feel invincible!

I attribute a lot of it to surrounding myself with those that inspire me: the bold, the brave and those who dare to dream.. those that dare to see things through! Inevitably some of those who travel alongside us aren’t always there for the long haul - we have our own pathways in life after all..

In 2014 I christened myself with a new moniker - MARKX. It stands for everything I want to be and more. It’s a solemn promise to myself not to be overlooked, to value my unique perspective on the world, cherish my voice and use it as it was always intended. 

In a lot of ways the songs on this album perfectly capture this journey. I’d love for you to share it with me.

With love Ian x

Vision Board

If I said it were possible to create what you want, actually see it unfold before your eyes - would you believe me?

Back in 2013 I created my first Vision Board - my aim was to leave my day job and be a full time creative. In the space of two years I’m now running a successful business and have ample time to pursue the thing I love most - being creative!

Last night (as I often do) I revisited my vision board and collated all my daydreams/ ideas I capture on my phone - imagine the fun I had! Don’t be afraid - it’s really easy to do and the results speak for themselves!

You can make the your own VB using cut outs from a magazine, things that inspire you - whether it be the house you have always dreamed of, a new car or the trip of a lifetime - nothing is off bounds! Let the right side of your brain do some hard work!

Start with your canvas : either a cork board, card - or my favourite - the kitchen wall and blue tack (if you’re really going for it!) I recommend using PowerPoint as it’s easy to manipulate and update regularly - I even have mine as my wallpaper on my laptop! Here are a few things to help you in your quest for the perfect Vision Board:

Be specific with your goals:  if you want more income, be specific with the amount and how you expect to earn it. Write yourself a cheque! Be sure to put a goal on time too to keep you on track!

Be realistic - but don’t limit your potential, but don’t set yourself things that are completely unachievable - be precise. But dream big and bold!

Be brave - If someone is out there doing it - that could be YOU! Don’t miss out!

Be yourself - what do YOU want? Put a picture of yourself in the middle - one where you’re ‘in the zone’..

Look at it regularly - Put it somewhere you can see it - like opposite your bed so it’s the first thing you see in the morning and before you go to bed!

Have fun! Make it as colourful and quirky as you like - mine has the little flags of the countries I want to visit and lots of inspiring quotes to lift me up on Monday morning.

Revisit it regularly - I am now on my 5th version as I have ticked off my goals from 2013, 2014 and 2015!

Happy creating!

Mindblown

Well..I'm back from a truly life changing retreat in the Andalusian mountains with 35 other amazing songwriters. I'd love to be able to put it into words for non-music makers.. about how you spend 24 hours a day immersed and unapologetically indulged in what you love, around wonderful people who REALLY get you... but there really are no words.. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

I've always said home is where you lay your head and it's true, I'm at my happiest when I'm on my feet, carrying my home on my back like a tortoise. Since I got back I feel each day I'm getting more and more comfortable in my own skin.. even if I left a massive piece of my heart in Andalusia..

And yes it did feel a bit like a crash landing when you take into account some of the horrific things that took place in the UK in my absence. Those affected at home and beyond have been in my thoughts and prayers.. which is something when you consider I'm not a religious person.

My feet have barely hit the ground and I'm now gearing up for an artist showcase at The Piano Works in London on 13th June! It's a high profile opportunity to show off some of these songs I've been crafting over the past 6 months and beyond - so I'd love it if you'd be my guest at the show!

I'm also elated that my second song cut of the year "Lost" has recently been released by Jaayns and Matt Johnson "Warplane" has now hit over 63,000 streams - AMAZING!

Pretty much all of my time these days is spent with my backpack on my back, writing, practising, studying.. still I'd take that any day than being trapped in a soul crushing corporate job again!!

So much to look forward to in the coming weeks: lots of gigs, off to Birmingham to finish my EP, back to Andalusia in September and another writing camp planned for October!

I do still wake up every day and pinch my arm that this is my life now. I always make time to smell and taste the coffee, take the time to be grateful for the little things in life.. after all you only get one go at it right?