Mark Shepherd + barDe

Mark Shepherd is a singer-songwriter from Cambridge with a strong, distinctive baritone and a dark brand of folky, thought provoking acoustic rock/Americana that explores the stygian side of life with a rough warmth sure to stay with you long after you finish listening. 

“Americana, as you'd expect, is pretty much the preserve of the Americans. Mark Shepherd, a very clever Englishman indeed, provides a glorious, emotional and insistent offering of the highest standard.” - Fireworks Magazine 

Mark has featured on BBC Introducing and a host of radio stations and blogs. Performances all over the UK and USA have included The Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambridge Rock Festival, Camp Bestival, London: 02 Academy Islington, Camden Assembly, 229 the venue, The Dublin Castle, The Spice of Life... New York: Rockwood Music Hall, The Bitter End, Pianos, Arlene's Grocery and many more. 

A musical omnivore, Mark grew up listening to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Jimi Hendrix as well as Miles Davis and Kraftwerk, Devo and Gary Numan. School bands led to a recording deal with a label that went bust before the band’s music was released.   Mark played in local rock bands for several years and in 2017 released his first solo acoustic album, “Bad Man”.  He followed it up with a string of releases: The Grand Scheme of Things EP (2019), and singles She Didn't Answer (2019), The Grand Scheme of Things (2019), Driving (2020), Devil in The Mirror (2021).   I Wish I Knew and World on Fire were released in 2022 on The Animal Farm label followed by Would You Help Me and Don't Stop Walking in 2023 and Something Going On in 2024.  

The music was enthusiastically received on BBC Introducing and BBC Cambridge who invited Mark for sessions. 

“Awesome!” - Tom Simkins, BBC Introducing 

Pre-Covid, Mark made trips to the US twice a year, performing a host of gigs in small venues from New York to Austin and the Bay area, recording a session for Radio Free Brooklyn and drawing favourable comparisons to artists as different as Paul Weller, Garth Brooks and Danny Vaughn. 

Mark's music is on most digital platforms - just search Mark Shepherd.   

barDe is an Irish American singer-songwriter who has claimed Manchester as her home.  Her musical style is described as soulful, quirky folk with a darker edge. Known for tackling raw themes like grief and isolation, always with a humorous twist, her emotive storytelling takes people on heartfelt yet fun journey. Currently working on her debut album, barDe creates unpretentious music with a fearless, unapologetic approach.