Mark Linkous
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Mark Linkous is an American singer, songwriter and musician, best-known as leader of Sparklehorse. Linkous claims to have a chemical brain imbalance, causing his frequently introspective, downbeat music and lyrics. Originally from Virginia, Linkous now lives in North Carolina where he established the Static King Studio in Hayesville, NC. He is the first in his entire family to not be a coal miner.
Linkous cofounded indie band Dancing Hoods in the 1980s. Following their breakup, Linkous continued writing songs (notably "Sick of Goodbyes" with David Lowery, which appeared on Kerosene Hat by Cracker). Linkous founded Sparklehorse in 1995, who have since released four records.
In 1996, while supporting Tindersticks on the first Sparklehorse tour, Linkous overdosed on alcohol, Valium and antidepressants and possibly other substances in his London hotel room [1]. Unconscious and with his legs pinned beneath him for almost fourteen hours, the resulting potassium buildup caused his heart to stop for several minutes after his body was lifted up. The following surgeries nearly caused him to lose both legs and left him wheelchair-bound for six months.
Most recently, Linkous released Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain in September 2006 through Sparklehorse, and is said to working on an album with Danger Mouse (working title "Danger Horse"). [2]
[edit] Producing History
Aside from his own music, Linkous has also become a sought-after record producer, and has helmed works such as Nina Persson's solo record, A Camp, and Daniel Johnston's Fear Yourself. Linkous has been one of the most ardent supporters of Johnston, an outsider artist who has had a long battle with mental illness. In 2004, Linkous curated and produced The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered, a tribute album to the still-living Johnston featuring acts such as Beck, Death Cab for Cutie, Vic Chesnutt, Tom Waits and Bright Eyes. It also includes a collaboration between Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips on the track "Go".
