These days Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Mark Kraus just wants to make films. Cinematography by way of song that project haunting landscapes and character studies tucked into tree minute ballads. These musical shorts reflect a youth spent wandering an old New England mill town; where abandoned factories turned to strip malls and where any sense of place seemed misplaced. His latest release Studies for a Film is a compilation of unreleased tracks from his first band Jr. Corduroy; songs from a time when the suburban ennui that filled his teenage years still drove the narrative of his bittersweet songs.
Jr. Corduroy formed in Boston a few years before 2002’s I Don’t Want To Be Around When You’re Gone For Good was released to critical acclaim, such as a critic’s pick from The Boston Globe’s 10 best records of the year. The album charted in the CMJ top 10, but the band fell into obscurity after breaking up shortly after and Kraus moved to New York City. For close to the next decade he began experimenting with different ideas, bands, and projects, including Tsui with who he made two albums Half Man Army and Wreckage.
In 2015 Kraus released The Story of Everything. It was his first solo release, featuring songs about his life long relationship and recent marriage, family, and the journey from beginning to end. It was his first album funded by Kickstarter where he raised money through hand printed limited edition posters and artwork — marrying his passion for print making and music. After touring to support the album, Mark retired from playing live.
Kraus is currently working on a chapbook entitled Song Book which features lyrics and poetry. He and his wife recently bought a house in South County, RI.