Renowned musician, producer, and author Mark Rae announces the release of his highly anticipated multimedia project, New Town Ghosts, a blend of storytelling and music through both the novel ‘New Town Ghosts’ (April 11th) and the upcoming album ‘New Town Ghosts – Songs From The Novel By Mark Rae’ (due for release April 11th).
Starting their first single ‘The Place I Call My Home’ (January 17th). This ambitious endeavor combines music and storytelling into a unique creative vision born out of Mark’s restless creativity, creating an immersive experience that captures the themes of childhood friendship,spirits in the natural world, and the mysteries of growing up. With a career spanning decades and marked by innovation, Rae has reached a creative high point with this project.
Having had a hugely successful career, Mark has had a wide array of achievements in music and literature. Over his illustrious career, Mark has remixed and produced for over 100 artists, including legends including Dinah Washington, Jay Z, Texas, The Jungle Brothers, The Pharcyde, and M People to name just a few. As one half of Rae & Christian, gaining daily plays on national radio and press acclaim, Mark has released three acclaimed albums including Northern Sulphuric Soul and collaborations with legends such as Bobby Womack, Foster The People, and Jazzy Jeff. Rae’s work has been a cornerstone of the UK’s electronic, soul, and hip-hop scenes with over 50 million streams and multiple platinum records and past compositions featured on shows like Sex in the City and Six Feet Under.
Mark Rae describes New Town Ghosts as an innate personal project that unites his skills as a storyteller and musician. “This project represents a high-water mark in my creative output. I wanted to explore themes of childhood friendship, our relationship with nature, and the spirit world,” he says. “Set during the summer of 1976 in a Northumbrian new town, the story reflects the innocence and wonder of growing up during a unique time in history, intertwined with the emotional resonance of the music.”
The first single taken from the new album ‘The Place I Call My Home’ (January 17th) sets the buoyant yet whimsical tone which permeates through the album. Introducing the depth of the story telling across the album, the track manages to capture the youthful imagery of the book whilst delivering infectious melodies and inventive, danceable instrumentation.
Recorded across London, Tunbridge Wells, Manchester, and Liverpool, the track and the upcoming album features an array of over 40 world-class musicians. Mixed by Erik Miles at The Forum Tunbridge Wells, the songs incorporate strings, horns, choir vocals, and live instrumentation, resulting in a rich, cinematic soundscape. Each song mirrors the emotional journey of the book, deepening its themes and bringing its characters to life.
The themes explored in New Town Ghosts align with Mark Rae’s commitment to raising awareness of critical social issues, including neurodiversity, childhood poverty, environmental changes, and the importance of childhood freedom. These messages resonate through both the novel and the accompanying music, offering a poignant exploration of universal experiences.
Beyond music, Mark has authored three books: an autobiography chronicling his journey in the music industry, the novel The Caterpillar Club, and the upcoming New Town Ghosts, all accompanied by soundtracks he wrote and performed, a pioneering approach that brings his characters and scenes to life through music.
Mark Rae’s career is storied and influential, marked by his role as one half of the pioneering duo Rae & Christian, a founder of the iconic Fat City record shop and Grand Central Records. Mark’s career highlights are equally impressive, with over 50 million streams on Spotify, 10 platinum, one gold, and one silver certifications as a songwriter for Rae & Christian and Texas/Sharleen Spiteri. He has performed at major European festivals like Glastonbury, Roskilde, and North Sea Jazz, and even shared the stage with Madonna during her legendary Brixton comeback concert. Mark has recorded at the renowned D & D studio, known for iconic tracks like KRS-One’s Sound of Da Police. His work has received extensive radio play on BBC Radio 1, 2, and 6, including a live interview on Radio 6 with Chris Hawkins, and his music has been featured in shows like Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and So You Think You Can Dance USA. Among his many anecdotes, he has recorded songs with Robbie Williams, played football with members of the Sex Pistols, Superman, Rod Stewart, and Vinnie Jones, and holds a Guinness World Record as a DJ.
Plans are underway for a theatrical live performance of the album in Spring 2025 in Tunbridge Wells, incorporating dramatic interludes that further bring the story to life. Potential venues include The Forum and The Trinity Theatre, promising an unforgettable experience for audiences.
