Review Text
New York based singer-songwriter Mark Shock grew up in St. Clair Shores, MI, spending most of his youth dreaming of being an actor, writer and singer. His love of performing led him to Wayne State University in Detroit where he received a degree in acting. Mark then spent three years in the Detroit area acting in plays, musicals, films and commercials, as well as performing in a musical revue at Casino Windsor in Ontario. In 2004, Mark moved from Michigan to New York City to pursue his acting career. For the next five years he continually auditioned and took as many acting jobs as he was offered. Then in 2009, Mark was cast in the Barrow Street Theater's off-Broadway production of the play, 'Our Town'. During the run of the show, Mark's house manager found an old acoustic guitar backstage and left it out for the actors to play. Mark had wanted to learn to play guitar for some time, so he and a couple of other cast mates spent the next year and a half teaching themselves to play guitar while they were backstage. Eventually, Mark began getting ideas for songs, and he decided to spend more of his time writing music. What began to emerge over the next four years was a strong storytelling style of songwriting, with themes focusing on individuality, hope and a sense of adventure. By early 2013, Mark knew that he was ready to begin recording his music. While visiting family in Michigan, Mark learned about The Audio Cafe recording studio in Eastpointe. After visiting the studio he knew it was a good fit for him, and over the next year Mark flew from New York to Detroit as often as he could to record. The time in the studio has led to the upcoming release of Mark's debut album of all original music, Far From The End, in October 2014. Mark currently spends his time between New York City and Michigan, playing his music and continuing to act in plays and films.
