Mark Corrin

The solo project of Mark Corrin, Liverpool born, Manchester based writer, producer & radio broadcaster. Formerly know as Shirokuma, and as a member of Octobuse and Poppycock. Currently presents a weekly radio show for Salford City Radio 94.4FM. Also plays bass for Rose & The Diamond Hand. Has also previously collaborated with the likes of Can's Damo Suzuki, The Fall / Blue Orchid's Una Baines, Max Tundra and Andy Votel and assists with the running of Manchester's Valentine Records. The songs presented here are generally downtempo, melodic and experimental with surrealist lyrics, catchy melodies and short song lengths. The playful and varied musical backings are woven from electronic and organic sound sources and are influenced by psychedelia, world music, cinema and folk. For a bit of history…Mark Corrin's early demo CDRs as Shirokuma made him a regular favourite on John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 Show for the final five years of its broadcast (1999 – 2004). Rob Da Bank and FloMotion’s Nick Luscombe continue to be radio supporters, whilst Shirokuma was made single of the week by both Steve Lamacq and Phil Jupitus during their time at BBC 6 Music. A debut album “Secret Moves At The Midnight Chess Club” was released via Manchester label Faith & Hope records in 2005, which yielded a joint NME single of the week, “Moonlight In The Afternoon”. The track, which the paper curiously confessed “makes us want to have sex in dressing-up clothes”, was also remixed by Max Tundra (Domino Records) and Andy Votel (Twisted Nerve \ B-Music \ Finders Keepers). An EP on Twisted Nerve records came next, before Shirokuma began working with the Manchester electronic & future rock label Valentine Records. Mark Corrin is also very active on the Manchester underground live music scene.