In a way, the songs on this album describe the beginnings of my journey as a songwriter: I didn't know what I was doing, or where I was going in life, so I started searching for meaning by writing music and recording my thoughts. I found a purpose in life with music, but then lost my way, and my love for music died.
It all started when I moved to Los Angeles to become a professional songwriter. I was naïve, full of dreams, and unprepared for the trappings of big city life, having grown up in a very small town.
I enjoyed the process of writing and recording music. I thought deeply about lyrics and how the music made me feel. I was discovering who I was as a person. I sent my songs to music publishers in hopes of selling them, but only heard rejection in their responses. “Keep at it, but it's not what we are looking for at this time”.
So I started writing what I thought the music business wanted to hear, but eventually that drained all the joy and personality out of my music. Writing songs had became frustrating and depressing, so I quit music. I didn't just quit writing and recording music, I quit listening to it as well. My dream of becoming a professional songwriter was dead, and my love for music and life had died as well.
After a few years, I started to listen to music again. Musical ideas began to grow in my head. Rhythm started flowing through my veins. A new melody entered my heart. Once again, I had a sense of purpose!
This album contains songs I wrote after exiting that lonely, deserted highway. Some songs express the joy and happiness I felt after finding music again, some songs recall a vacant, depressed past.
I've learned over the years, and from making this album, that I should write what I hear in my head, and feel in my heart. I must be true to myself, in my music. I've enjoyed the whole process of writing and recording Deserted Highway, and releasing it for you to hear. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
Music and lyrics: Mark Herrick
Recording and mixing: Mark Herrick
Mastering: cdbaby.com
Album cover artwork: Bryan Gallo
Read more...