Boston-area singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Linda Marks, unveils a vision for a safer and more tender world with her forthcoming “Sanctuary” project, a multifaceted release that blends live performances and global collaboration with the lived experiences of domestic violence survivors.
The project – due out this summer – follows her award-winning 2024 album A Recipe For Hope with a testament to every individual’s inner strength and the healing power of vulnerability and understanding.
Stemming from Marks’ song “Sanctuary,” which interweaves firsthand accounts from domestic violence survivors with Marks’ gentle lyricism, the project spans multiple phases between June and October of 2024 for maximum impact across communities both near and far.
The rollout begins with a release show at The Burren in Somerville on June 23, where Marks will debut a collaborative music video created with images from local nonprofits Casa Myrna and RESPOND Inc.
These visuals – gifted from both organizations and used with permission – emphasize that the issue “transcends all boundaries: age, race, gender, socioeconomic background, and geography,” as Marks reflects.
Marks will later unveil the global version of “Sanctuary” on August 23, releasing the song across all digital platforms and revealing the full breadth of contributing performers. In addition to Marks’ work as a singer and lyricist, the track features seven more performers from around the world, tapping peers from Greece, India, Israel, Germany, and the U.S. to provide instrumentals and vocals that deliver Marks’ global message. A full list of performers and their contributions can be found below. To further bolster her support of domestic violence survivors, Marks will host a September 15 benefit show for Casa Myrna and RESPOND Inc. at One Broadway Collaborative in Lawrence. Joined by Americana act Randie O’Neil, the performance will raise money for both nonprofits to aid in their mission of providing survivors with resources for safety and recovery. In addition to the in-person show, fans will also be able to tune in online. The project culminates with a live streamed performance of “Sanctuary” on October 1 in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The final step in her multifaceted outreach broadcasts hope and support the world over, with the goal of inspiring understanding and strength in both survivors and their supporters. As a mind-body psychotherapist – and a witness to violence at home herself – Marks understands the lasting, often-hidden impact of domestic violence. But she also has witnessed the awe-inspiring fortitude that survivors tap into when healing from even the most intense traumas.
“Sanctuary” is a fusion of her expertise as both a psychotherapist and heartful musician, delivered in a way that’s both relatable on a global scale but deeply personal. “Domestic violence cuts closer to home than most of us realize,” Marks notes. “As I worked on this project, I became more deeply aware of the impact of growing up in a home where domestic violence was a dark shadow. At that time there were not the resources we have today, and there was a huge shroud of shame associated with admitting things were not ‘all okay’ at home. My mother would always keep the shades down, so ‘the neighbors would not know.’ Drawn window shades could not drown out the sounds of yelling and screaming. When I was a child, there was nowhere to turn. Today there are many great organizations whose mission is to help domestic violence survivors and their families. I am glad there are places to turn to like Casa Myrna, Respond, Inc and the many other organizations like them around the US and around the world.”
About Linda Marks
Linda Marks is a multi-award-winning Boston singer-songwriter, a healer at heart, and emotional alchemist whose music gracefully uplifts the spirit and transforms sorrow into gold. Currently preparing her 15th album, Marks is as prolific as she is mindful, using her music to touch upon the current events and issues shaping our reality. Her past releases have been featured in The Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, and NPR, among other outlets. Throughout her decades-spanning discography, Marks’ elegant voice and piano always tug at listeners’ heartstrings and inspire optimism. She released her 14th studio album A Recipe For Hope in January of 2024, which debuted at No.18 on the Roots Music Report Alternative Folk Chart.
A Recipe For Hope also won the Clouzine International Music Award for “Best Folk Album,” and produced two charting songs: “September Morn,” which appeared on the Cashbox Top 100, and “Love Always Wins,” which reached No. 1 on the UK Hot 100. “Love Always Wins” recently was named a Finalist in the Great American Song Contest and won the award for “Best Collaboration” at the World Songwriter Awards. Marks is currently nominated in eight categories for the 2024 ISSA Awards as well. Building community through music has been a lifelong pursuit for Marks, who has written songs for numerous nonprofit organizations and community causes, such as Upstage Lung Cancer, the Buddy Dog Humane Society, the Cotta Blue Project, and Light Up the Love. She’s also collaborated with saxophonist Willie Sordillo and singer-songwriter Kemp Harris on Songs At The Heart Of Our Times, performing timely music at benefit concerts for local non-profits. Most recently, Marks is the curator of the “Sanctuary” project, tapping a global network of musicians to craft a song that supports – and includes the words of – domestic violence survivors. Marks is the co-founder of Women In Music Gathering, the leader of the International Singer-Songwriter Association Boston/Northeast Chapter, and a Big Records artist. She also is a member of the Recording Academy, the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance, and Folk Alliance International.
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
