marc barnhill

Born in Brooklyn, New York, and growing up "between the Boardwalk and the Verrazano Bridge," Marc Barnhill loved music from an early age.  A Beatles fan in the 1970s and a belated classic-rock teen, he eventually found his tastes drifting toward the confessional singer-songwriter school, and counted such literate artists as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, David Wilcox, Tracy Chapman, Indigo Girls, Nick Drake, and Jules Shear among his major musical influences.

As a writer of formal poems (collected in Dandelion Disasters), Marc developed a focus on language and an ear for meter, rhyme and alliteration that remained prominent when he eventually turned his hand to songwriting.  Initially constructing linked pieces for keyboard, he found on switching to acoustic guitar that his songs became more heartfelt and immediate.  Marc collaborated with brother Scott on an album of rootsy guitar tracks called Cloudy Skies, was instrumental in the formation (and later the breakup) of the rock band Fall Out, and contributed lyrics and vocals to such experimental music projects as Ontology, Cabin Boy Smith, and Urbal T.  Meanwhile, he accumulated a backlog of deeply personal songs, many of which were recorded as the sparsely acoustic Chasing After demos.

A college English teacher, Marc  approached songwriting with literary care, crafting songs densely packed with evocative language, intelligent introspection, internal rhyme, and surprising imagery.  His songs dealt with longing, loneliness, and loss, but also with acceptance, courage, and renewal.  He became a regular on the open-mic scene in New York City and developed a reputation for insightful lyrics and soulful performances, unveiling a steady stream of  fragile ruminations on relationships and tough examinations of personal responsibility.

Marc's debut solo album, Blue Time, interspersed uptempo gems like "Brother Of Mine," "Smoke And Rattles," and "Tragedy In Coney Island" among contemplative ballads like "Already On My Way," "Wayfarer Of The Brine," and "All In My Own Good Time."  The CD was heralded as "an unusual and special collection" of "smart, emotional songs," and Marc was described as "one of the very best lyricists and songwriters around"  (see Press).  Several tracks from the CD became crowd favorites at Greenwich Village and Upper East and West Side cafes and remained staples of Marc's live performances even as he continued to debut popular new material like the much-requested "Women Of Sand."

Marc has frequently participated in the New York Singer-Songwriter Sessions, been chosen as a featured artist by Alloy Radio, performed at numerous venues (including CBGB, The Bitter End, The Listening Room at Caffe Vivaldi, DT-UT, The Psychic Cafe, The Underground Lounge, The Creek and the Cave, Vox Pop, The Four-Faced Liar, and The Baggot Inn), and been accompanied onstage by such artists as Jeff Jacobson and Casey Shea of The Undisputed Heavyweights, Paul Alexander, Rorie Kelly, Andrew Jimenez, Ed Purchla, Scotts Roger, Jon Berger, Joey Figgiani, Scott Barnhill, Debe Dalton, and Catherine Boyd.  He currently performs both solo and with his band, The Sorely Missed.

Marc lives in Astoria with his wife and children.