Calamity Strikes

Releasing his debut solo album under his given name, Mark Charles delivered Calamity Strikes in 2022, after a two year recording process in Louisville, KY and Brooklyn, NY. Best known as the lead singer of longtime indie folk band Vandaveer, Charles at times channels Bob Dylan, The War On Drugs and Bruce Springsteen in this album full of throwback instrumentation and (at times) melody-light vocals. Listening to the 10 track project, one get’s the immediate impression that this is the work of a group of musically mature and developed artists and producers who’s craft for songwriting is up there with the best. The second track Gratitude could comfortably sit alongside the biggest Folk and Country hits out today and the album never makes a misstep or overstays its welcome. It’s not hard to hear why reviewers of Calamity Strikes have been so positive towards the album.

For the vinyl edition, Charles selected Partly Cloudy (MD131) from our PPR Deluxe Blends, which combines O5 (Sky Blue) with a White marble. The effect perfectly compliments the crisp blue and white cover artwork and comes together with a printed insert to create an excellently-designed package.