MARK NORTHFIELD is a pianist, composer and singer/songwriter from Berkshire, England. He makes eclectic arty pop stuff with a prominent classical influence, frequently collaborating with vocalists drawn from a variety of genres. His trademarks are melodic songcraft, poetic wordplay and sumptuous piano/string arrangements.

Comparisons? Think the otherness of Kate Bush, the precision of Neils Tennant and Hannon, the balls of Rufus Wainwright and the wonder of Pink Martini, all balanced out by a gloomy sliver of Radiohead.

He has recorded several albums and EPs on his own label Substantive Recordings. The latest album - 'Alterations' - was released in early July 2012. It features five 'almost-pop' songs transformed into five 'almost-classical' ones through the cunning redeployment of riffs and themes. An in-depth guide to it can be found on his official website: www.marknorthfield.com

Like his previous album, Ascendant, it is available as both a CD and download from Bandcamp and CD Baby (Bandcamp gives full length track previews). The albums and EPs are also available as downloads through all the usual online places: iTunes, Amazon, emusic etc.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR ALTERATIONS

'complex arrangements and sharp songwriting... Northfield is an excellent composer with a firm grasp of what he wants to accomplish' ALTSOUNDS

'bursts with finely orchestrated beauty and piano-led melodicism' SKOPEMAG

'poignant and cryptic... an album of continued surprises' GREEN MAN MUSIC

'Northfield is a maverick genius' RHYTHM & BOOZE

FOR ASCENDANT

'Ever wondered what a Sondheim musical from his darker years would sound like if it was recorded by an indie pianist and some buds? Well, wait no longer!' SPUTNIK MUSIC

(Featured in Staff reviewer Adam Downer's Top 20 of 2008 and Top 100 of the decade.)

'like a Tim Burton movie for the ears - quirky, detailed, immaculately produced...'4/5 BLUESBUNNY

'flutters between Beatles-grade melody and esoteric dissonance. It introduces choir-like vocals or string ensembles without warning before just as easily returning to unnervingly intimate whispering vocals and beautifully played piano passages...' MUSIC ZEITGEIST