Marcus Turner
Encyclopedia
Marcus Turner is one of New Zealand
's best-known folk music
ians and songwriters, who has performed in most New Zealand folk festivals, as well as festivals in Australia
, and in venues in other places overseas. He was also a presenter in the New Zealand children's television programmes Spot On
, How's That and Play School.
Marcus Turner lives on the Otago Peninsula
, near Dunedin
, New Zealand. He began performing folk music at the Otago University Folk Music Club in 1973: a time when a folk music revival was underway. Marcus's repertoire, which initially concentrated on the music of popular singers such as Paul Simon
and John Denver
, soon expanded to include more traditional music. During the 1970s Marcus was an active member of the “Ginger Minge Binge Bush Band” and later “High Country Bluegrass”.
Marcus began to write some of his own songs, achieving early success when EMI recorded and released “The Civil Service Song” as a single. A few years later he recorded his first album (“The Best is Yet to Come”, released by Cityfolk) then made a tour of New Zealand folk clubs to promote it.
Marcus became widely known throughout the country as part of the trio who presented the popular children's TV programme Spot On
. Following this, while training to become a television director, he acted as musical director for “A Drop of the Pure Stuff”, a televised folk concert from Central Otago
. A 20-month trip to Britain followed, where he tried his hand at becoming a professional folk musician, but found the lifestyle too demanding.
Since then, Marcus helped to form The Chaps, alongside fellow Dunedin folk musicians Mike Moroney (formerly of The Pioneer Pog 'n' Scroggin Bush Band
) and Hyram Ballard. The Chaps have recorded two albums and made two trips to Europe. In 2005 he released his second solo album Laid Down. His musical interests have expanded to include traditional music from many countries, and Marcus plays a wide variety of traditional musical instruments with other Dunedin musicians. Irish singer Andy Irvine
, the Danish folk group Færd and the British singing group The Hen Party are among those who have recorded Marcus's compositions. He has composed for films, including the NHNZ documentary “Hotel Iguana”.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's best-known folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
ians and songwriters, who has performed in most New Zealand folk festivals, as well as festivals in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and in venues in other places overseas. He was also a presenter in the New Zealand children's television programmes Spot On
Spot On (New Zealand)
Spot On was a New Zealand Children's Television series which aired between in 1973 and 1988. The format was a weekly show with three presenters. Commonly one presenter was replaced each year...
, How's That and Play School.
Marcus Turner lives on the Otago Peninsula
Otago Peninsula
The Otago Peninsula is a long, hilly indented finger of land that forms the easternmost part of Dunedin, New Zealand. Volcanic in origin, it forms one wall of the eroded valley that now forms Otago Harbour. The peninsula lies south-east of Otago Harbour and runs parallel to the mainland for...
, near Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, New Zealand. He began performing folk music at the Otago University Folk Music Club in 1973: a time when a folk music revival was underway. Marcus's repertoire, which initially concentrated on the music of popular singers such as Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
and John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
, soon expanded to include more traditional music. During the 1970s Marcus was an active member of the “Ginger Minge Binge Bush Band” and later “High Country Bluegrass”.
Marcus began to write some of his own songs, achieving early success when EMI recorded and released “The Civil Service Song” as a single. A few years later he recorded his first album (“The Best is Yet to Come”, released by Cityfolk) then made a tour of New Zealand folk clubs to promote it.
Marcus became widely known throughout the country as part of the trio who presented the popular children's TV programme Spot On
Spot On (New Zealand)
Spot On was a New Zealand Children's Television series which aired between in 1973 and 1988. The format was a weekly show with three presenters. Commonly one presenter was replaced each year...
. Following this, while training to become a television director, he acted as musical director for “A Drop of the Pure Stuff”, a televised folk concert from Central Otago
Central Otago
Central Otago is the inland part of the New Zealand region of Otago in the South Island. The area commonly known as Central Otago includes both the Central Otago District and the Queenstown-Lakes District to the west....
. A 20-month trip to Britain followed, where he tried his hand at becoming a professional folk musician, but found the lifestyle too demanding.
Since then, Marcus helped to form The Chaps, alongside fellow Dunedin folk musicians Mike Moroney (formerly of The Pioneer Pog 'n' Scroggin Bush Band
The Pioneer Pog 'n' Scroggin Bush Band
The Pioneer Pog'n'Scroggin Bush Band was a bush band based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The band was one of the longest-surviving folk bands in New Zealand, being formed in 1980 and surviving until 2004. Some 40 people can claim to have been members of the band at one stage or another, though its...
) and Hyram Ballard. The Chaps have recorded two albums and made two trips to Europe. In 2005 he released his second solo album Laid Down. His musical interests have expanded to include traditional music from many countries, and Marcus plays a wide variety of traditional musical instruments with other Dunedin musicians. Irish singer Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine (musician)
Andrew Kennedy 'Andy' Irvine is a folk musician, singer, and songwriter, and a founding member of the popular band Planxty. He is an accomplished player of the mandolin, bouzouki, mandola, guitar-bouzouki, harmonica and hurdy-gurdy....
, the Danish folk group Færd and the British singing group The Hen Party are among those who have recorded Marcus's compositions. He has composed for films, including the NHNZ documentary “Hotel Iguana”.