A Little More Heart with Collin Marks
On his sophomore album, A Little More Heart, Chicago singer-songwriter Collin Marks embraces tradition without compromising his own authentic voice. Mixed and Mastered by Mystery Street owner and senior engineer Joe Tessone, A Little More Heart incorporates blues, country, R&B, and classic rock and showcases Marks’ mature, evocative songwriting. The result is rootsy, eclectic, and soulful. We sat down with Collin to ask him a little more about his music and the process behind A Little More Heart.
You were already a seasoned songwriter by the time you began A Little More Heart. How does this release fit in with the rest of your work–did it feel like a departure, or an expansion of certain ideas?
I’m always exploring and trying to grow as an artist. When writing this collection of songs, I was inspired by a lot of classic country songwriters, people like Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall, and Loretta Lynn. Being able to drop the listener right into the essence of a story in an impactful way. Both powerful and economic songwriting.
Additionally, I was thinking a lot about artists like John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen. These are writers that are very near and dear to my heart, and I was trying to give these songs the type of energy that their greatest 80s records have, both musically and thematically. “A Little More Heart” was trying to strike this balance of powerful, almost anthemic rock songs that also deal with some heavy topics lyrically. They are songs about people who are struggling in very real ways, how that affects their life, and asking if it’s possible to carry on despite that struggle.
A Little More Heart was mixed and mastered by Mystery Street owner Joe Tessone. What was the experience of working together like?
I’ve been working with Joe since I was a teenager, he taught me so much about what goes into making a record, and I’m forever grateful for that. Since we have such an established rapport, mixing these tracks was just a continuation of our working relationship over the years. Lots of reference points, discussion, and trying stuff out and seeing what sticks.
Having that kind of working relationship between artist and engineer is such an advantage. Do you have any advice for artists choosing a mix engineer?
I think having a clear vision is essential. Articulating that vision, then finding someone who aligns with that musical vision rather than getting lost in technical jargon. Listen to their previous work to ensure a stylistic match and then just prioritize communication. It’s okay not to be fluent in the technical side – what matters most is the vision, and that the engineer understands and therefore enhances that artistic vision. Also trust: trusting your own instincts, and trusting your engineers’ choices as well.
What does being a Chicago artist mean to you?
Chicago is a deep part of my musical DNA. Its blue collar ethos, its community, and its rich history as a Blues mecca all had a profound effect on me as an artist. As a kid, all I listened to was the Chess records catalog, and all I wanted to do was get down to Rosa’s and Legend’s and Kingston Mines to play live. But the city is also so much more than that. It’s a cosmopolitan city, and therefore it’s full of music of all kinds from all over the world. Exploring that and having access to that is crucial to the development of any artist, and Chicago has so much to take in!
What are the best places to find your music and upcoming shows?
I always like to point folks to my website, www.CollinMarksMusic.com, as well as my Bandcamp page at www.collinmarks.bandcamp.com. The record is also available on all streaming platforms, Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
