I didn’t realise Mark Hole was still making music until I stumbled across his Instagram profile a couple of weeks ago. Part of that is probably down to me no longer being on many platforms. Artists have a way of slipping out of sight when your digital habits change. But there he was. Still active. Still sharing songs. Still very much present. Theholeofmark.
What caught my attention wasn’t just the fact that he was releasing music, but the sense of continuity. Mark has been open about becoming sober and about holding himself accountable, often through poetry and songwriting. That openness doesn’t dominate the music, but it gives it depth. It made me listen more closely again.
According to Spotify, Mark released five EPs in 2025 alone. Five releases in a single year suggest commitment and momentum, a need to stay close to the music rather than stepping away from it. I’m currently listening to the most recent EP, released on November 25th, and what stands out immediately is the amount of soul it carries. This is music that feels lived rather than constructed.
His songs are danceable, driven by rhythm and groove, but they don’t stop at the surface. The lyrics tell stories taken from life. They feel observant, sometimes playful, sometimes reflective, always grounded.
One aspect of his work that feels particularly interesting is the way he revisits his own songs. He shares then and now versions side by side, allowing listeners to hear what time, experience and persistence do to a voice and a song. It’s not about correcting the past or polishing it into something else. It’s simply about letting evolution be audible.
And then there is the voice. Distinctive, expressive, emotionally alert. A voice you don’t easily forget or confuse with another. It carries warmth and honesty and holds intensity without forcing it.
If you’re curious where to begin, here are three songs that offer a way in:
I’m Not Dancing For You
Will you love again?
Dirty Base
If you want to follow what Mark is currently working on, he shares music and thoughts on Instagram under theholeofmark, and his catalogue, including the recent EPs and the then & now versions, can be found on Spotify.
I hope you enjoy discovering this artist as much as I do.
https://www.instagram.com/theholeofmark?igsh=MXM1Z2V2cXViN3N6cA==
reflections of an unquiet mind 
I like it! His music is dynamic and theatrical, with a colorful and highly emotive delivery in the style of Rufus Wainwright, though he doesn’t really sound like him.
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