When a young man in a hoodie and mask gunned down United Health CEO Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024, musician and psychotherapist Linda Marks began to write.
The Greater Boston singer and pianist has honed a knack for swiftly responding to global and national events - not only with compassion, but with song. Her 35-plus years as a mind-body psychotherapist shaped her response to the shooting.
Written from the perspective of the suspected gunman - Luigi Mangione - "Pain Changes Everything" is a heartfelt but critical assessment of the United States' mental health crisis and failing healthcare system, cutting through the media and internet sensationalism to earnestly ask "What could have led a bright, educated young man to the breaking point where he would be capable of shooting another human being?" The song is a riveting capture of the vulnerability created by a lifetime of fighting debilitation pain, and the grave and unfortunate consequences that follow when pain breaks the psyche and soul. Pain does change everything.
"Marks' songwriting skills have reached a point where she is among the best of them, famous or local..."
— Bill Copeland Music News
"The songs are lyrically compelling and well executed... nicely flowing compositions from start to finish"
— Luke Wolk
In the Silence of the Stars, her 15th studio album, Linda Marks takes a deep dive into her lived experience and illustrates the relationship between the personal and the universal. The title song, one of several autobiographical songs on the album, tells the story of a little girl whose innate passion for music was quashed by her angry father, petrified that his daughter could never make a living by following the music in her heart. This album and its songs represent a heroine's journey the little girl and later woman embraced overcoming a litany of obstacles (including several decades away from her music career to raise her now young adult son as a single mom while caring for a mom with Alzheimer's) to write songs at the heart of our times that can touch the heart, heal our wounds, and inspire us to live a purpose inspired life.
Boston area multi-award winning singer songwriter Linda Marks emanates a warm, intimate presence that mirrors her musical style. Her voice is bright, tender and soothing, with silky smooth and graceful renderings of songs that are heartfelt, conversational and emotionally direct. Her lyrical piano-driven compositions and heartfelt delivery echo the warmth and intimacy of Carole King's classic singer songwriter style, flavored with mellow jazz-pop undertones. smooth phrasing and soothing tone reminiscent of Norah Jones' gentle, soulful approach, with the kind of nuanced touch in phrasing and emotional expression of Joni Mitchell, though more understated. Marks' tender vocal stance and folk sensibility parallel James Taylor's warm, introspective style in his storytelling through song. Marks has been covered by the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and NPR.
