Mark Wilkinson

Life never follows a linear road. Rather, it often forks as we do our best to keep pace in the middle. Mark Wilkinson treads this path in his music. He acknowledges hardship and darkness, only to step into the embrace of the light. The Sydney-based singer and songwriter acutely details this journey through relatable storytelling and hummable songcraft. By considering and understanding life’s extremes from the middle, he gets closer to himself on his new EP, Golden Afternoons, due out in 2024. [Nettwerk Music Group].

“The EP explores the fine line between light and dark as well as confidence and uncertainty, which are the two states I’m constantly between as an artist and songwriter,” he admits. “Each song touches on these themes as they float through this body of work. It’s a reflection of the balancing act.”

After building an international profile by bringing his music directly to the people as a popular busker, he has creatively leveled up with each successive release. He captivated audiences with the likes of Let The River Run [2013], Hand Picked, Vol. 2 [2015], Wasted Hours [2018], and Blue Eyed Girls [2019]. Along the way, he catapulted to #1 on the Australian Independent Charts and sold in excess of 80,000 units. Since the release of 2022’s Mariposa EP, he’s impressively racked up over 1-million monthly listeners on Spotify and garnered support from Americana Highways, The Bluegrass Situation, and The Wild Is Calling who said, “We see star power and mainstream potential in the spirit of Mumford and Sons, Mt. Joy, or the Lumineers.” Standout single “Grafton St” also found fans at SiriusXM Coffeehouse.

This time around, he changed up the process. Mark decamped to Nashville, TN where he recorded what would become Golden Afternoons with producer Owen Lewis (Snow Patrol, Paris Paloma, Old Sea Brigade) in just two weeks.

“It was my first time making a project in Nashville,” he reveals. “It was exciting to see the whole thing come together over a short period and work with some amazing musicians. It progresses from the previous EP—which was made in a space of the end of the Pandemic and not knowing anything about what was going to happen. This music comes out of that period with confidence, trying to trust yourself and looking forward to a brighter tomorrow.” He heralded the EP with the sentimental “Time Floats Away,” a reflective song of wanting to grasp hold of life’s special moments, setting the stage for Golden Afternoons.

Co-written with Ben Cramer aka Old Sea Brigade, the single “Taking Our Time” threads together finger-picked acoustic guitar with vivid imagery of “coffee a little stronger after laying out your cards” and “the hole in the kitchen we never bothered fixing.” Meanwhile, the chorus confesses, “We always wait for better days.”

“It’s about trying not to get locked down in the past and letting yourself move forward,” he says. “Memories can be beautiful things to reflect on, but sometimes they can anchor you down. You’re trying to cut the historical emotional baggage and allow yourself to focus on the future.”

“Fair Weather Friend” grafts open-hearted lyrics onto soft instrumentation in the form of a pledge. “You have a deep connection with someone, and you’re just saying you’ll be with that person through thick or thin,” he goes on. “No matter where life takes you both, you’ll be there.”

Another co-write with Cramer, “Promises” shares a message of empowerment in the face of doubt with upbeat electric guitar. “You can’t be driven by fear,” he exclaims. “You’ve got to be okay with taking risks and allowing yourself to fail. Good things come from taking yourself out of your comfort zone even though it’s a scary place. Say, ‘Fuck it,’ and give your dream a shot.”

Then, there’s “Movie Scene.” His wish for a friendship to be something more plays out dramatically in widescreen over intimate production.

“It discusses having feelings for a friend and hoping the relationship will turn into something more,” he sighs. “You don’t have the confidence to air those feelings out to that person. Instead, you just play out these imaginary movie scenes in your head because you’re afraid those feelings won’t be reciprocated.”

Ultimately, Mark might just communicate how you’re feeling with Golden Afternoons.

“In my recordings, I hope to tap into something you’ve personally experienced too,” he leaves off. “It’s an outpour of emotion from me. Maybe it will do the same for you. After I finished it, I was really excited about what’s next and the creative space I’m in. I look forward to you hearing this.”