"There are good people everywhere, in all countries and cultures."

Markus K: The Blues Looper Man 

Markus K born in Holland; 30 years in England; Now travels the world, playing on the street and connecting with people; Main instruments: guitar, vocal, percussion; Looper Master; Mostly originals; some drastic reworks of classics; Main influences: blues and anything with real soul, warts and all; Passionate about inner peace and conscious living; We Are All In This Together. Markus K new album titled LIVE with LOOPER No​.​2 (2024). Selected from over 50 busking sessions in over 15 countries, between October ‘22 and September ‘23. 13-tracks of new release are the best of the best of all the recorded tracks. Markus says: "My main influences are JJ Cale, Daniel Lanois, Tony Joe White, Eric Clapton and anyone who can play with real feel and do something exciting and new." Markus had a stable job, a family and a successful blues band called Giles and recorded 4 acclaimed albums. But the musician packed up his life and left England to become a globe-hopping busker in 2011, living out of a tent on an olive grove in Spain and touring the world as a street performer. Since 2015, Mark has jammed with Cobra Gypsies in India, written an album with a Spanish didgeridooist and performed to tourists in Prague as-well-as returning to his spiritual Lancashire home to play the odd gig.

(Markus K have been entertaining fans all over the world / Photo by Remigio Flammia)

Markus K (Mark Koehorst), says: "When you play on the street, you connect with people in a completely different way. People seem to snap out if their routine and open up. A beautiful experience. I guess my music is a reflection on my outlook on life. I look for the positive in everything." Markus K and Marga Fernandez, his partner in life and music, have been entertaining fans all over the world.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

When you play on the street, you connect with people in a completely different way. People seem to snap out if their routine and open up. A beautiful experience.

How do you describe your music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I guess my music is a reflection on my outlook on life. I look for the positive in everything.

What moment changed your music life the most? Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

I can’t actually think of one particular thing that might have influenced me most. It’s a constant flow of give and receive. The general direction has been one away from the intellectual and towards the intuitive. Music has taught me that this is where the rewards are.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I don’t miss anything. Music is constantly changing and evolving. There will always be great music and I can’t imagine this will ever stop. In the sixties and seventies, the change was promoted by record companies. Now it is a complete free for all. Record companies are not needed any more and I think they just get in way. Musicians are now directly in touch with their fans, which encourages change and fluidity. If I have a good busking session today, I could mix my favourite track in the evening and post it the same day, both as a video and a download. No interference from anyone. The fans will let me know if it’s any good. That’s as real as it gets.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Some people tell me my music makes them feel good, positive, calm, gives them energy. That’s an amazing feeling when people tell you that.

"Music is constantly changing and evolving. There will always be great music and I can’t imagine this will ever stop." (Markus K / Photo by Javier Rudman)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences as buskin musician around the world?

Stay rested, eat well, give the location a change to show you its magic, and the people to show you their goodness.

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music? What do you think is key to a life well lived?

I learned Transcendental Meditation when I was 18. I do my meditation twice a day. It keeps me rested, grounded and inspired. Everyone should do it. It’s my secret weapon.

You have traveled all around the world. What are your conclusions about the local folk, traditional music’s?

There are good people everywhere, in all countries and cultures.

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