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Slipper Rock
Settle in with an Irish crooner, lots of booze, and college kids.
By Max Rivlin-Nadler
Break out your hoodie and slippers for singer-songwriter Marcus Dirk's performance at the Case Western Reserve hang the Barking Spider tonight. "I want the audience to feel at home, like I'm playing in your living room by the fire," says Dirk, who also performs with the local jam band Cuyuga. "I try to interact with the audience more when I'm playin' solo, to explain the history of a song or just to chat a bit." His Irish-influenced compositions are both haunting and simple, matched with a voice that exudes gruff Ohio weariness. "Clevelanders know what they like, which can be tough at times," he says. "But if you're in the right venue, it can be great because they are also great listeners." Influenced by acts as disparate as Gordon Lightfoot and Peter Tosh, Dirk's music has a narrative drive that keeps the listener's attention. Give him a listen on Friday, April 25, at 8 p.m. at the Barking Spider, 11310 Juniper Road. Call 216-421-2863 or visit www.barkingspidertavern.com. - Cleveland Scene Magazine
Discography
Cuyuga- The Euc - 1999
Cuyuga- Orange Stone Groove - 2001
Marcus Dirk- Thistle Hill - 2009
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Bio
Marcus Dirk is a singer/songwriter who has a love for Irish and American folk music. Born and raised on the east side of Cleveland, hes grown up with a variety of music, musicians and surroundings to influence his songwriting along the way. He started writing music as another creative outlet, being an
artist who has always drawn and painted, more of his creative energies go toward writing music now and have been for a while.
Trying to tell a good story in a song or convey a feeling that was had in a certain point in time, he wants everyone to feel at home like hes playing in your living room by the fire. As a member of the Cleveland based folk rock group Cuyuga he has shared the stage with the likes of Fairport Convention, David Nelson Band, Leftover Salmon, and Vince Welnick of The Grateful Dead. You are likely to hear Marcus play alot of originals influenced by Irish, Maritime, Reggae, Jazz, Old-Tyme & Bluegrass as well as some choice covers and traditional music.
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