Dear Reader: Decades ago, I was a successful Fortune 500 Marketing & Communications VP. Eventually I realized I’d live longer outside of corporate life. Now I’m a freelance writer for today’s execs – speeches, editorials, videos, even books … anything except comedy! But back in the day, corporate sales meetings often had motivational theme songs to reinforce the main take-away message. So I found myself writing lyrics and loving it. That experience is what allowed me to meet and work with artists like Linda Marks – a singer, musician and composer I’d like to share with you about now. She’s a genuinely special lady!
Linda has an important new album out, in which I play a small part. Because of the steady way she works to contribute to the world, I thought it important to share her story with you.
So first – who is Linda Marks?
She’s a multi-award-winning Boston singer-songwriter. Having just released her 15th studio album, and starting production of her 16th, Marks is as prolific as she is mindful, using her music to touch upon current events and issues shaping our lives and the world.
A recent example of the good she does: in 2024 Marks curated The Sanctuary Project, tapping a global network of musicians to craft a song that supports — and includes the words of — domestic violence survivors. She’s also the founder of an artist-alliance group, the Women In Music Gathering. And the leader of the International Singer Songwriter Association’s Boston/Northeast Chapter, a Voting member of the Recording Academy (for the Grammys) and a member of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and Folk Alliance International.
Her newly released album, “The Silence Of The Stars,” I’m proud to say has two songs with my lyrics –– “Be The Change” and “Learn To Really See A Flower.” Linda seems forever committed to making a positive difference in the world and I thought it would be interesting to learn and share more about her than I’ve been able to do with simply with a few collaborations. So here is my interview that let me get to know her better AND introduce her to YOU ….
Mike: How did you get into writing, composing and singing to begin with? How old were you and how did it begin?
Linda: One could say I was literally born with music in my heart. As a child, I did not speak until I was 3. But even as a toddler, I was magnetically attracted to any piano I could find. And when I found one, I would start sounding out melodies to songs with my fingers. It came naturally. Music was my first language.
Mike: In our song, “Be The Change,” you encourage listeners to think of an issue that matters to them … and then to act on the issue and make a positive change in the world about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni2TOWWYi8I
When did you become, in that sense, an “activist”? With what issues did you begin, and what are some issues that especially matter to you today?
Linda: Community service and making the world a better place goes back to childhood as well. In 8th grade, I was forced to run for class president. I was a shy, introverted child, but had a natural ability to lead by building community and bringing people together. For my required “campaign speech,” I sat on the edge of the stage and spoke from my heart. I was elected unanimously.
Some issues that matter to me greatly today are the health care crisis and the invisibility of people struggling with mental health issues … the experience of our children in today’s chaotic world … care for cats and dogs who wind up in shelters due to human neglect and abandonment … and creating a safe world for all, including addressing the issue of domestic violence.
Mike: In “Learn To Really See A Flower” you encourage people to slow down and genuinely experience the beauty in the world around them. What was your inspiration for this particular song of ours?
https://youtu.be/ZLqpxK8fwCE
Linda: “Learn To Really See A Flower” was inspired by and is dedicated to Georgia O’Keeffe, the American modernist painter whose career spanned seven decades. Years ago I found a poster of one of her gorgeously vibrant poppies with the quote: “No one sees a flower really. Because to see takes time. Like to have a friend takes time.” That quote always struck a chord with me and clearly stayed with me. The song’s lyrics and message were shaped around that saying.
And during the pandemic as the gyms closed and as I started taking daily walks looking for beauty, I found myself slowing down and taking the time to really see the flowers that I encountered along my path. When you slow down and look for beauty, a treasure trove awaits you. The process brings balance and peace.
Mike: One reason songs are powerful is that they tell stories that other people can relate to. On this album, you have a number of autobiographical songs. What stories do they tell?
Linda: The title song, “The Silence Of The Stars,” is truly my autobiography as it relates to music and songwriting. It’s the story of a little girl’s love affair with music and the piano and her steadfast journey to pursue her passion against all odds. That little girl first had to save up the money to buy her own piano. Then she had to overcome her scared, angry father who delivered a constant message like a dagger into her heart: “Music is a waste of a good mind.”
“Motherless Daughters, Fatherless Sons” is another autobiographical song about what gets passed down through the generations in our DNA. It is quite humbling to see patterns repeat through generations, through no fault of those who are living the stories. “Shipwrecked” is the story of losing a house I held dear. I lived and worked in it for more than half my life until the coldest day in a century. That was in February, 2023. That’s when three pipes burst and flooded my house from ceiling to floor, much like a shipwreck. It was uncanny that as I researched the history of the house, I discovered it was built for a master mariner in 1883 who might have perished in a shipwreck.
Mike: You like to write anthemic songs that lend themselves to people singing together in groups for upliftment and inspiration. You and I have collaborated on two of these songs. Can you talk about what draws you to write anthemic songs?
Linda: You and I wrote “Let There Be Love,” which was on my 2023 “Everyday Legends” album. We also wrote “Be The Change” which is on my new album, “The Silence Of The Stars.” Both of these anthemic songs address the chaotic and scary times we’re living in. They bring messages of hope and empowerment. Music can bring people together in a powerful way that lets us connect heart-to-heart. And music can bring words of hope and possibility that people need to see and hear. I love sharing these songs at venues where the listener joins in and sings. The whole room feels lighter and more inspired, and people leave feeling that they got something more than just a concert!
Mike: So, with those accomplishments behind you, what’s next in your life?
Linda: I’m currently working with Nashville producer, Justine Blazer, on recording my 16th studio album, “Queen Of The Angels.” It takes about a year to produce an album, and every step of the way is a joyful creative journey. I’ve written all the songs and made “reference tracks.” That’s the term for a piano/vocal recording that can be used to build arrangements. And as I write these answers to you now, I’m about to go to Nashville to work with a group of studio musicians. Arranging is just as exciting as writing!