Mark Linkous

Mark Linkous is an American singer, songwriter and musian, best-known as the leader of Sparklehorse.

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Beyond Sparklehorse, he has also worked with such artists as Thom Yorke (on a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"), Nina Persson (on her solo project A Camp), Fennesz and Vic Chesnutt. Linkous produced and played on Daniel Johnston's Fear Yourself (2003); he had earlier covered several of Johnston's songs.

Related Topics:
Thom Yorke - Pink Floyd - Nina Persson - A Camp - Fennesz - Vic Chesnutt - Daniel Johnston

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Linkous cofounded the Dancing Hoods in the 1980's. They released two largely-forgotten records. Following their breakup, Linkous continued writing songs, eventually founding Sparklehorse, who have released three records since 1995.

Related Topics:
Dancing Hoods - Sparklehorse - 1995

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Linkous claims to have a chemical imbalance in his brain which results in the frequently introspective and downbeat nature of his music and lyrics (e.g. "The parasites will love you when you're dead").

Related Topics:
Brain - Introspective - Music - Lyrics - Parasite

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In 1990 Linkous tried to kill himself with a drug overdose. Six years later (while touring the United Kingdom with Tindersticks in support of the first Sparklehorse record), Linkous suffered anthother drug-related catastrophe. After mixing valium with prescription painkillers and alcohol, Linkous passed out in his hotel room and trapped his legs under his body, cutting off his circulation for fourteen hours until he was discovered unconscious. Linkous was for two minutes whilst being treated in hospital. He was temporarily paralysed, and was wheelchair-bound for 6 months.

Related Topics:
Drug overdose - United Kingdom - Tindersticks - Valium - Painkillers - Alcohol - Hotel - Legs - Circulation - Unconscious - Hospital - Paralysed - Wheelchair

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Output from Sparklehorse has been minimal of late, but the official website has recently been updated.

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