Mark Cryle and the Civil Union – The Bug

Mark, of whom respected Courier Mail critic Noel Mengel once said; “Mark Cryle is one of the best songwriters in Australia”, has, over the last twenty years, won awards and built a reputation in Australian musical circles for high quality songs delivered with flair and subtlety. Mark was recently honoured by his musical colleagues with a “tribute” cd, I’ve Got a Heart on which other artists performed his songs. His latest project, Mark Cryle and The Civil Union continues the tradition of delivering musical gems polished to perfection with some of the country’s leading folk musicians. Something of a critic’s darling, since Spot the Dog’s inception in the early 90s, through to more recent releases Notches on the Wall (2006), House of Cards (2009), and Sideshow Alley (2011) Mark has incorporated elements of singer-songwriter, soul, bluegrass, rock, country and other roots forms in to his work. In recent times he tells us has been playing a lot of traditional Irish and Scottish music. “It’s a steep learning curve but a fun ride,” he says. The Civil Union includes Rebecca Wright, cello/vocals and Donald McKay bodhran/vocals and Bridget Masters, fiddle/vocals. Mark brings some of the aesthetic from those traditions to his songs, revisiting some material from his extensive back catalogue and introducing some new ones too. The focus is not just on Mark’s writing here however. The Civil Union also incorporates uplifting fiddle tunes and Rebecca’s and Donald’s beautiful voices which take over the leads from time to time. It is indeed something worth showing up and listening out for. Recent Performance Highlights Illawarra Folk Festival January 2013 Cygnet Folk Festival January 2013 National Folk Festival 2012 QUT Urban Country Music Festival 2011 Maldon Folk Festival 2010 Gympie Music Muster 2010 Woodford Folk Festival 2009

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