Mark Gothard

Dive Bar Lawn hit and held the #1 spot on the KXRL and affiliated stations during the month of March! Berkshire Media Group collated the monthly chart data and reported that the number of spins, listener requests, and station tune-ins vaulted Dive Bar Lawn to the top! - Mark Gothard

With increasingly strong listener response after heavy rotation on numerous stations, Dive Bar Lawn has secured rotation on the Jam FM Radio Network! Stations in Philadelphia, Seattle, Moscow, Bangkok, and Sao Paulo will feature the song! Check the link for the Seattle station! - Mark Gothard

After high viewership of his Marquix feature story and rising popularity of his single Dive Bar Lawn, the Avastar Entertainment Network has picked up Mark's story! - Mark Gothard

Dive Bar Lawn has received nomination by the Hollywood Music and Media Awards in the Americana/Folk/Acoustic category. Another great honor for this song with awards ceremony in November and a chance to win the grand prize! - Mark Gothard

Honored to have my story presented on the Marquix Global Network! - Marquix Global Netqork

Very positive review of Fly The Coop....Jennifer Briggs states, "...I have been dying to listen to a CD like “Fly the Coop” by Mark Gothard for quite some time now. It’s subliminal, it’s epic, it’ a grand concept that’s sure to get your attention – yet it’s very simple and magical..." - Jennifer Briggs

So awesome to be interviewed by Isaac Davis Jr. for Junior's Cave Online Magazine....made me think and reflect on the past 25 years. Just gettin started! - Junior's Cave Online Magazine

Dive Bar Lawn has won the January 2015 Akademia Music Award for Best Folk/Americana Song! Couldn't be more proud and happy at this moment!

http://www.theakademia.com/january2015_bestsong_folkamericana.html - Mark Gothard

"Timbuktu" has just won the Directors' Award in the Nashville International Song & Lyric Contest for Valentine 2013! So Cool! - Mark Gothard

"Jesse James" from the CD "The Poet" has been nominated for an HMMA award in the folk/acoustic category. I am honored - thank you. - Mark Gothard

"Jesse James" from the CD "The Poet" has been nominated for an HMMA award in the folk/acoustic category. I am honored - thank you. - Mark Gothard

Newsflash: Mark Gothard just released his latest CD “The Poet” in 2012 – by Mindy McCall

Have you ever heard an artists that successfully took you back in time. Most modern artists are trying really hard to sound cutting edge and compatible to a mass audience. But every now and then you come across artist that breaks the mold and is could care less about this shallow marketability angles.Californiabased Singer/Songwriter Mark Gothard is one of those artists and is comparable to a musical time capsule.

“The Poet” is his latest of 5 releases to date and it has much to commend it. Admittedly, there is a whole lot of variety to these arrangements and performances. The result though is far from a self-indulgent ego trip for it, instead, is a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not a-typical Ramon Noodle Country-Folk-Pop. instead Mr. Gothard could be classed as a 4 genera artist: Alternative Rock, Folk, Country, Singer/Songwriter-Pop. He’s one writer that has way too much precision and clarity to live in the shadows with a poetic splendor. Indeed this is clearly evident in songs like “Here inMemphis” and “Let’s Take a Ride” which methodically ups the ante to a very respectable level of catchy-folk-earthy musical craftsmanship and impressive creativity. The music not so commercially viable, but amazing witty nonetheless with a unique sound that takes us back to the days of classic Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly. In a nutshell this is Johnny Cash meets Stan Ridgeway (wall of Voodoo). I might add not every square inch is filled with a vocal delivery under duress – but musical moments that allow the music to just breathe on its own. This is music that is not so easy to pin down during the first listen, but rather a CD blessed with a wide variety of taste and wise old musical exuberance.

I would imagine in time we will hear more from Gothard in the future. No doubt he has carved a very marketable niche for himself. I can honestly say this is one artist that clearly gives you a musical snapshot that is highly original, unique and dare I say takes us back a few years. In the end it’s “music you would hear gathered ’round a fire while hopping a boxcar on a Northbound train.” Need I say more.

Rating: 4/5
- Terra Blogger

Newsflash: Mark Gothard just released his latest CD “The Poet” in 2012 – by Mindy McCall

Have you ever heard an artists that successfully took you back in time. Most modern artists are trying really hard to sound cutting edge and compatible to a mass audience. But every now and then you come across artist that breaks the mold and is could care less about this shallow marketability angles.Californiabased Singer/Songwriter Mark Gothard is one of those artists and is comparable to a musical time capsule.

“The Poet” is his latest of 5 releases to date and it has much to commend it. Admittedly, there is a whole lot of variety to these arrangements and performances. The result though is far from a self-indulgent ego trip for it, instead, is a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not a-typical Ramon Noodle Country-Folk-Pop. instead Mr. Gothard could be classed as a 4 genera artist: Alternative Rock, Folk, Country, Singer/Songwriter-Pop. He’s one writer that has way too much precision and clarity to live in the shadows with a poetic splendor. Indeed this is clearly evident in songs like “Here inMemphis” and “Let’s Take a Ride” which methodically ups the ante to a very respectable level of catchy-folk-earthy musical craftsmanship and impressive creativity. The music not so commercially viable, but amazing witty nonetheless with a unique sound that takes us back to the days of classic Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly. In a nutshell this is Johnny Cash meets Stan Ridgeway (wall of Voodoo). I might add not every square inch is filled with a vocal delivery under duress – but musical moments that allow the music to just breathe on its own. This is music that is not so easy to pin down during the first listen, but rather a CD blessed with a wide variety of taste and wise old musical exuberance.

I would imagine in time we will hear more from Gothard in the future. No doubt he has carved a very marketable niche for himself. I can honestly say this is one artist that clearly gives you a musical snapshot that is highly original, unique and dare I say takes us back a few years. In the end it’s “music you would hear gathered ’round a fire while hopping a boxcar on a Northbound train.” Need I say more.

Rating: 4/5
- Terra Blogger

The Artist I recently checked out the latest CD from California based Singer/Songwriter/Composer Mark Gothard entitled "The Poet" (2012). This is his 5th release to date. I normally put information on any band members involved her but there is no information provided anywhere on the CD.



The band Gothard plays guitar and sings throughout the musical presentation. His playing abilities are solid across the board. I would say he possesses intermediate playing abilities with advance songwriting skills. Timing seems to be spot on within the trippy-psychobilly grooves. Gothard manages to hold his head above water vocally. This format matches the trippy sometimes mysterious music perfectly. The music The music possesses a highly original, alternative-country, folksy edge. Lyrical content is a big mystery wrapped up inside an eccentric enigma - highly entertaining to say the least. The songs The songs themselves are clearly above average even flirt with brilliant. The vibe simply put - this CD will keep you guessing, scratching your head but highly entertained all at the same time. The songs are fascinating yet captivating delivering up dark, unpredictable, melancholy overtones. The production The production is lacking and falls short of the professional grade bar. The good Honorable mentions go out to Gothard and company for not being afraid to let it all hang out musically. Gothard is highly creative artist and is not trying to be some popish artist striving for mass appeal, instead he is clearly being himself musically. In this world of overly corporate entertainment MArk Gothard definitely stands out from other artists in a good way. My favorite track on the CD is "Timbuktu" The bad Overall sound quality is a bit foggy and simply doesn't stack up to other top flight releases within the genera. CD also spreads itself way to thin musically. To many different styles of music, to many directions pulling at you simultaneously. The ugly Nothing to report.



The verdict This latest release from Mark Gothard is very entertaining - end of subject. For the record this is a step in the right direction from his lat effort. The songwriting - clearly above average and strongly personifies the mysteries of the human spirit. Like I said earlier, i really enjoyed the tripped-out musical eccentricity of Gothard. Fans of Alternative Rock with s psychedelic twist will love this one. The Bottom Line If you are looking for dark, psychedelic and trippy music to push you even further into the abyss - look no further you found Mark Gothard.



Markus Druery

Indieshark Music Critic
- Indieshark.com

The Artist I recently checked out the latest CD from California based Singer/Songwriter/Composer Mark Gothard entitled "The Poet" (2012). This is his 5th release to date. I normally put information on any band members involved her but there is no information provided anywhere on the CD.



The band Gothard plays guitar and sings throughout the musical presentation. His playing abilities are solid across the board. I would say he possesses intermediate playing abilities with advance songwriting skills. Timing seems to be spot on within the trippy-psychobilly grooves. Gothard manages to hold his head above water vocally. This format matches the trippy sometimes mysterious music perfectly. The music The music possesses a highly original, alternative-country, folksy edge. Lyrical content is a big mystery wrapped up inside an eccentric enigma - highly entertaining to say the least. The songs The songs themselves are clearly above average even flirt with brilliant. The vibe simply put - this CD will keep you guessing, scratching your head but highly entertained all at the same time. The songs are fascinating yet captivating delivering up dark, unpredictable, melancholy overtones. The production The production is lacking and falls short of the professional grade bar. The good Honorable mentions go out to Gothard and company for not being afraid to let it all hang out musically. Gothard is highly creative artist and is not trying to be some popish artist striving for mass appeal, instead he is clearly being himself musically. In this world of overly corporate entertainment MArk Gothard definitely stands out from other artists in a good way. My favorite track on the CD is "Timbuktu" The bad Overall sound quality is a bit foggy and simply doesn't stack up to other top flight releases within the genera. CD also spreads itself way to thin musically. To many different styles of music, to many directions pulling at you simultaneously. The ugly Nothing to report.



The verdict This latest release from Mark Gothard is very entertaining - end of subject. For the record this is a step in the right direction from his lat effort. The songwriting - clearly above average and strongly personifies the mysteries of the human spirit. Like I said earlier, i really enjoyed the tripped-out musical eccentricity of Gothard. Fans of Alternative Rock with s psychedelic twist will love this one. The Bottom Line If you are looking for dark, psychedelic and trippy music to push you even further into the abyss - look no further you found Mark Gothard.



Markus Druery

Indieshark Music Critic
- Indieshark.com

From Wildy Haskell of Wildy's World music blog: Mark Gothard's "Timbuktu" is a highly symbolic and deeply personal love song. The imagery here may not mean a lot to those not "in the know", but there's a simple beauty in his words and in the warm, sweet melody he crafts for them. The gently non-descript arrangement falls somewhere between adult pop and Americana without ever fully defining itself, but the end result is exceedingly pleasant to the ears. - Wildy Haskell of Wildy's World Music Blog

From Wildy Haskell of Wildy's World music blog: Mark Gothard's "Timbuktu" is a highly symbolic and deeply personal love song. The imagery here may not mean a lot to those not "in the know", but there's a simple beauty in his words and in the warm, sweet melody he crafts for them. The gently non-descript arrangement falls somewhere between adult pop and Americana without ever fully defining itself, but the end result is exceedingly pleasant to the ears. - Wildy Haskell of Wildy's World Music Blog

Artist: Mark Gothard
Album: Vault Songs
Review by Melissa Nastasi


Vault Songs lets us dive head first into folk singer/songwriter Mark Gothard’s past. This seems weird, yes, but Gothard has a story to tell of lost friendships and found tapes. Spending his time in California, he is about to branch out to the world and share his songs. With three albums already under his belt, he takes us on a journey of songs that were written in college. Ah, a young musician at work; there is nothing like it, right?

Kicking off the album is the twangy “Cigarettes.” With heavily strummed guitars and an emphasis on country vocals, Gothard will already have you intrigued and wondering what is about to come next. One thing you must remember about this record upon listening is that it is not perfect nor is it meant to be. These songs from Gothard‘s college past are untouched and left in their original form. They are mixed well but not polished as the listener will be able to tell that some of these songs were just demos.

“You,” takes a bit of an unexpected turn, but not in a bad way. The track sits on the border between folk and lo-fi. With pounding drums and guitars making room for soft vocals, this is an unforgettable track. “True Romance” is a sultry song, yet innocent at the same time. The listener will be able to tell this was written in college, and though that is not necessarily a bad thing, it is something that will strike you right off the bat. “Down Here” has the same sort of vibe to it, though also beautifully written. The true beauty lies in the guitar tones. Each and every strum seems to tell a story on it’s own.

“To Heaven We’ll Go” features more amazing guitar work with a plucking guitar sound and whimsical tone. Gothard’s vocals get a bit deeper and scratchier here as if he is trying to find his own voice. This continues through to the next track, “Here We Go,” as his sound changes a bit again and adds some howl. His true voice that he should stick to is found up next on the song, “Baby.” It’s soft, fitting the delicate guitar and tambourine and adding a bit of soul to the record. “Blue Tomatoes” takes a completely different turn and makes things a bit more interesting as Gothard becomes a bit of a folk crooner.

Up next is “Potato,” one of the standout tracks on the record. Despite referencing an actual potato, it is genuinely heartfelt and poetic. He again uses soft vocals to evoke so much emotion, even in this awkward lyrical setting. Closing the album is the instrumental “Blue,” which features an accordion and allows for a peaceful and surprising ending.

Mark Gothard is an amazing talent with a real knack for songwriting. Vault Songs is a piece of work to be proud of, and though it is not perfect, it tells the tale of a promising songwriter on the rise. Listening to Gothard’s previous work, you can tell that he has come a long way, but has always kept true to himself and the music that he creates. Vault Songs is a fantastic listen that will have you craving his studio records. Take a chance on it.


Review by Melissa Nastasi
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

- Ariel Publicity

“Poppy Fields & Pearls” is the second disc released by Los Angeles’ own Mark Gothard. For being in one of the largest urban cities in the United State, the fact that “Poppy Fields & Pearls” starts out with a folksy track in “The Skywalker Blues” is interesting. The unique style of Gothard’s vocals provides a little bit of richness to the traditional and typical acoustic guitar that is present. Despite the goofy nature of “The Skywalker Blues” (Star Wars), the fact is that “The Skywalker Blues” is a catchy and compelling song that will stick with listeners for a while after they put down “Poppy Fields & Pearls”.

“The Skywalker Blues’ is followed up by “Ode To Jack”, a slower track that touches upon R.E.M. just as much as it does Johnny Cash and the a post-Ziggy Stardust David Bowie. “Whispered In Your Ear” is a bold step forward for Gothard in that it is the longest track on “Poppy Fields & Pearls”, at a place where ey could gain or lose a tremendous amount of listeners. However, the compelling emotional intensity of the track allows listeners to easily make it through this five and a half minute mini-epic unscathed. In fact, the soft tones of the acoustic during this track may be the reason why listeners are able to make it to the disc’s two bonus tracks, “Blaze” and “300 Miles”. Instead of merely front-loading “Poppy Fields & Pearls” with the strongest tracks, the quality of songs on the latter half of the disc is equivalent to the first half.

This means that a song like “Something To Me” showcases the same type of honesty that first was heard during the opening strains of the disc. The music on “Poppy Fields & Pearls” is simple: there is little more here than an acoustic and a set of vocals. However, where the disc is complex is in Gothard’s ability to arrange the different compositions into things that are decidedly more than their constituent parts. While Gothard has been playing around the Los Angeles area the last few years, it should only be a matter of time before ey is coming up with a nationwide tour. Make sure to pick up a copy of “Poppy Fields & Pearls” to see the magic, the allure of Gothard, and familiarize yourself with these tracks before any tour comes to your town.

Top Tracks: Sleep, Yard Sale

Rating: 8.0/10

- Neufutur Magazine