Mark Darvill

Session Guitarist / Songwriter

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1 Review
Mark Darvill on SoundBetter

I have more than 25 years of experience in songwriting, live performance, and recording electric, acoustic, and bass guitar tracks for a variety of bands (including rock, punk, metal, and funk outfits) across Asia and Europe. My versatility in style and sound has made me a top choice for many musicians seeking a collaborator.

As well as guitar work, I am also available for assistance with songwriting (both musical arrangement and lyrics).

Please see the following links as some examples of projects I have worked on:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7JxXBhhhZu08qvdcEQFT4F
https://theredcliff.bandcamp.com/album/why-we-all-drink-wine

Whether you're an experienced musician looking for a session player or someone hoping to find an expert to write a song from scratch, I will be able to communicate patiently and effectively in both English and Mandarin Chinese to meet your needs. I am easy to work with and value conversations and feedback during the writing process to help me create your desired track.

Hit the "Contact" button above to chat with me now!
你好! 我是馬克! 請聯繫我幫你錄或寫歌喔!

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

1 Reviews

Endorse Mark Darvill
  1. Review by Andy Goode
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    by Andy Goode

    Mark is a very talented and creative musician, with a great ear and a wealth of experience in multiple genres. This means he knows what's right for your songs, and is able to create tasteful arrangements that bring out the best in them. As well as being passionate about what he does, he's also extremely patient and supportive, which means he's ideal for beginners as well as seasoned pros. Highly recommended.

Interview with Mark Darvill

  1. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  2. A: Even when you think you have a solid, finished product, always seek feedback from others. Advice from other musical experts with a critical ear can prove invaluable in any production context.

  3. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  4. A: My musical focuses have shifted over the years, and I guess they tend to move in phases. At university, I played in a thrash punk band, for which I focussed heavily on improving my fast, heavy riffing and shredding capabilities. Then, in my 20s, I switched to playing primarily acoustic guitar and experimenting with alternate tunings, attempting to imitate the style of fingerstyle greats such as Thomas Leeb and Don Ross and building up a repertoire as a singer-songwriter. Now, I try to focus on both styles in equal measure.

  5. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  6. A: Although I consider myself a handy guitar and bass player, I would say that my strongest attributes in this respect are my ability to work harmoniously with others and my track record of never missing a deadline in any professional work I have ever completed. In other words, you don't just get a good guitar player; you also get someone who's receptive, easy to work with, and 100% reliable.

  7. Q: What's your typical work process?

  8. A: Throughout my career as a musician, I have always been a great believer in writing parts for songs in my head before picking up my instrument. When creating a guitar part for someone else's song, I like to listen to the song on repeat while formulating possible guitar lines either in my head or by humming out loud. I find that this method enables me to really tune into the feel of a song in an unrestricted manner (i.e., without the technical distraction of actually having to play). Once I have a form the basis for a guitar part on my head, I pick up my guitar and attempt to approximate my vision. This method has served me well for many years, particularly for writing solos.

  9. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  10. A: I work with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 recording interface and Reaper as my DAW. When recording electric guitar, I primarily use my Hotone Ampero amp modeler and multi-effects processor; however, I also own a number of individual effects pedals (including distortion, overdrive, reverb, delay, modulation, and compression), which can be added to the chain where necessary. I usually record acoustic guitar parts using a Focusrite Scarlett Studio CM25 MKII condenser mic positioned close to the soundhole and a Shure SM57 dynamic mic at the neck.

  11. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  12. A: I help my clients by writing and performing electric, acoustic, or bass guitar parts for their songs, paying close attention to their feedback throughout the process to help them achieve their musical vision.

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A Beautiful View by Mark Darvill

I was the perfomer of all guitar and bass parts, and also the singer and sole producer in this production

Terms Of Service

I work on an individual basis; the turnaround time of each project can be negotiated, but I am happy to work within quick turnaround times.

GenresSounds Like
  • Dawes
  • Frank Turner
  • Nada Surf
Gear Highlights
  • Electric guitars: Ibanez RG Prestige
  • Fender Stratocaster; Acoustic guitar: Taylor 314ce; Bass guitar: Fender Jazz; Amps and effects: Hotone Ampero amp modeler and multi-effects processor
  • Positive Grid Bias Amp 2
More Photos