Miko Marks is one of the Bay Area’s most visible country music singers, but recently her role as a Black, woman country music pioneer has gained attention. Marks, who lives in Oakland, was named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country in 2022 and recently made her third appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The release of her third album, Our Country, in 2021, finally sent Marks through the glass ceiling in Nashville. With a blend of country music’s storytelling and elements of blues, gospel, soul, and Americana, the recording reveals Marks’ many influences. In 2019, Marks reconnected with two members of her live band, Justin Phipps and Steve Wyreman, founders of a community based recording business, Redtone Records, in East Palo Alto, and she and the Resurrectors recorded the songs of social protest and prayerful pleading that got rave reviews from Billboard and Rolling Stone.
With a blend of country music’s storytelling and elements of blues, gospel, roots and
Americana, Our Country has Marks stepping out as a genreless artist.”- Forbes
…the singer-songwriter returns to recording with a genre- and industry-defying mission…Our Country would make a bracing but pleasing addition to the playlist at your house.”- Wall Street Journal
Miko Marks… has reemerged as a supple, charismatic roots artist, and a hero to many musical heirs.”
- National Public Radio
With its percussive groove, funky piano part, and red-hot slide lick, “Ancestors” emphasizes Marks’ storytelling skills and soulful delivery while connecting the dots between Sharon Jones, The Allman Brothers Band, and Dolly Parton.”- Rolling Stone