Bio
Redefining Soundscapes
FROM ALPINE SYMPHONIES TO SONIC METAMORPHOSIS
Markus Mars is a visionary sonic artist reshaping musical landscapes and defying conventions within the industry. Originating from the picturesque Austrian Alps, Markus embarked on a musical journey in the 1980s, starting with classical training that evolved into a diverse exploration of jazz, rock, blues, and world fusion. At age 12, they began composing for and conducting symphonic orchestras, infusing electronic music elements into traditional ensembles.
In the early 2000s, Markus fused their love for electronic music with the mastery of the electric violin and drums, creating a distinctive style characterized by percussive beats generated on the violin's body. As part of the award-winning progressive rock IDM duo Fatmagic, they achieved notable success in the 2010s, releasing multiple albums and gaining recognition on international charts.
Live Violin Psychedelia
Crafting Sonic Alchemy
In 2015, after enriching their artistry by performing in over 30 countries and collaborating with numerous bands and orchestras, Markus found a new home in the volcanic landscapes of Hawai'i Island.
Under the alter ego, Son of Mars, Markus explored DJing and produced their debut IDM album, "Interdimensional," blending electronic world music with synthesizers and live instruments. This vibrant musical journey showcased symphonic elements interwoven within a warm synthetic soundscape, accompanied by bass-heavy beats and the unique addition of a telescopic didgeridoo and a 5-string electric violin.
In 2018, Markus transformed their approach to music creation, eschewing pre-composed pieces and embracing live improvisation. Crafting intricate effects chains, they began composing entire concerts - psychedelic symphonies - from scratch, recording and mixing them in real-time with an audience present. Esteemed artists like Adham Shaikh, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Reich, Pauline Anna Tuell Strom, Darol Anger, and Andrew Bird influenced this evolution.
Guided by their lifelong devotion to music and spirituality, Markus made a profound discovery. "Markus," meaning "dedicated to Mars," resonated deeply with their musical essence of the destruction of the status quo to make room for new paths of creation. Drawing inspiration from Hawaiian mythology and their newfound connection to Buddhism, they realized that the Hawaiian god Kū held the equivalent role to Mars, and, interestingly, "ku" also signified emptiness in Buddhism. Reflecting on this revelation, they embraced the essence of their artistic identity of pushing the boundaries of spirituality while staying rooted in rationality — and vice versa - and Markus Mars was born.
Embodying a non-binary perspective within the artistic expression, each performance by Markus Mars is a one-of-a-kind auditory masterpiece, a live composition influenced by their metamorphic musical journey and shaped by the vibrations of the present moment, inviting listeners to indulge in a sonic superfood crafted with care and passion.
Beyond The Music
A World of Stories
In 2020, Markus Mars started offering meditative live-streaming sound baths and sound-guided meditations under the name Audible Peace during the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering a harmonious world and delving deep into the wisdom of nature, spirituality, kindness, mindfulness, and gratitude, crafting an open space for deep listening, respect, and peaceful complex problem-solving.
Beyond the music, there's a world of stories, reflections, and poems that inspire these sonic creations. On Medium and Substack, Markus dives into the depths of their artistic journey, exploring the origins, influences, and emotions that shape their compositions, an interdimensional realm where sound and words collide.
Continuing to create Zen-sational live-looping performances and eclectic sound designs that resonate with audiences worldwide, Markus Mars breaks barriers not only from a gender perspective but also within the realm of a non-binary environment.
