I was terribly sad to hear today that Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse took his own life this weekend. His music has probably meant more to me over the years than that of any other; I first heard Hammering The Cramps on a free compilation CD as a 13 year old in 1996 and bought the first Sparklehorse album soon after. I had a burgeoning love for music but at the time the media was swamped by Britpop- I had ‘discovered’ REM but this was really the first album that not only introduced me to a world of alternative and alt-country music, but changed my life forever. It had its own internal world, sad and beautiful, which has helped me through sadnesses of my own. I was lucky enough to meet the man himself twice, in 1999 in Edinburgh and 2002 in Manchester- after a show he would tend to wander out after a show, shy and completely humble but happy to talk to his fans. He made no secret of his struggle with depression and addictions which he expressed through his lyrics. He almost died from an overdose in 1996, and was in a wheelchair when he wrote Good Morning Spider;
Every hair on your head is counted
you are worth hundreds of sparrows
the tree you planted has become fecund
with kamikaze hummingbirds
I’m so sorry
my spirit’s rarely in my body
it wanders through the dry country
looking for a good place to rest.
Rest in peace.
If you aren’t familiar with the music of Sparklehorse I strongly urge you to give it a listen. The good news for fans is that the Sparklehorse/Dangermouse compilation ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ which had been cancelled, should get an official release this summer. But here is a reminder of some of Mark’s songs under the Sparklehorse guise;
Homecoming Queen from Vivadixie… (1995).
Sick of Goodbyes from 1998 album Good Morning Spider.
It’s a Wonderful Life from 2001 album of the same name (video by awesome Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin)
Sparklehorse and Flaming Lips cover Daniel Johnston’s ‘Go’ (2005).
March 8th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I too am gutted to hear the sad news about Mark Linkous.
I was introduced to Sparklehorse (after much cajoling!) by Smiffy in late 1999. I was going through a period of depression myself and found such life, beauty and solace in Mark’s music. In it I found hope and felt a little less alone - I can’t tell you how much that helped.
At times introspective and heart breakingly sad, his songs were often also celebratory and always life affirming. This came through so clearly when seeing him perform live, as I was twice privileged to do. What blew me away on both of these occasions (apart from the phenomenal song craft and musicianship) was the love Mark clearly had for playing for his fans and the sheer weight of love his they felt towards him. I wish this past weekend he could have seen just how beautiful and loved and admired he was. The man was a gift to anyone who came across him.
If anyone out there is in a similar place please, before making any big decisions, talk with the people you love and who love you. If you are feeling totally alone give the good people at the Samaritans a call - http://www.samaritans.org - they are there to help. We live in a sad and beautiful world - life can seem so bleak at times but alongside saddness there is so much to live for.