Tag: Daniel Markham

A Bigger BlueLight

Found myself back at the ol’ Bluelight in Lubbock tonight. I hadn’t been in since the recent remodel. The place got a whole lot bigger with the same old vibe. The expansion took place as a wall was removed from the South end of the building- the adjoining wall between the light and what used to be the Tom’s daiquiri bar. Toms is still a thing don’t worry, it’s now however located on the North side of the Bluelight instead. The patio in the back of the Bluelight now joins the two and creates an amazing atmosphere. The remodel created much more space for patrons and gave the artists their own green room as well as a bigger stage.

Blaze Butler the Bass player for Mason and the Gin Line who opened the show tonight said that playing the new stage was weird but he liked it.

Mason Server and his band Mason and the Gin Line played for a little over an hour. They played much of the old music that their fans know and love. Songs like Pipeliner, Loose Tonight , and Portales brought the fans to their feet and onto the dance floor.

Next up was Daniel Markham to put on a rock show. In Daniel’s own words “an Alternative Rock Show.” I had heard many of the songs that he played as they were off his newest album, Just Like a Dream, an album i listen to regularly. Daniel brought a whole different feel and vibe with him to the establishment. Hearing his songs live , the tones and changes in his rhythm and the amazing lyrics behind the sounds made me love him even more.

Markham who began his career in music in the Lubbock scene has since moved to Dallas. He brought in the old school crowd tonight as well as several other musicians who came just to see him perform.

Singer/ Songwriter Stephen St Clair told me that Markham was one of his best friends. He said the drummer that Daniel was using tonight was actually part of the band Brandon Adams , another longtime Lubbock favorite.

Mason Server told me in his opinion Daniel Markham was a genius.

Drummer Matt Newsom and I discussd the matter – Newsom went on to tell me that Markham is the kind of songwriter and musician that after someone had listened for ten minutes or so, would contemplate later- “man that guy really had something magical happening tonight.”

Magic was what i saw on that big old Bluelight stage. I am just grateful that I had a front row seat.

Pancho.

Daniel Markham
Mason and the Gin Line

Just Like A Dream

The full album release of Just Like A Dream is a sensational piece of art, from the 3 dimensional cover to the original songs that are pressed into each turn of the vinyl.

By a chance engagement at the Blue Light in Lubbock I first met Daniel Markham. I was introduced to him by Thomas Mooney an avid music fan and published author. Thomas pointed out today on X that the album even comes with a pair of 3D glasses however they may not be suitable for viewing the upcoming eclipse. To Thomas thanks for the advice, and also thanks for writing one of the greatest pieces of literature on the Caprock Music Scene in your book titled, The Lubbock Way.

Markham’s genre is sort of a gritty mix of rock and roll and gets quite heavy at times, a few of the songs on this album took me back to some of those elements of an 80’s hair band. The bass lines punch hard and the guitar gets hot. Daniel Markham’s lyrics are powerful and painful and leave you with the feeling of having heard what you were supposed to hear. I love the way a song can pull me completely into a laugh or a cry.

Daniel Has left the caprock for a time and now calls the DFW his home, y’all go check him out and pick up a record in your local music store. Don’t forget to stream his stuff on all the major services.

I’ve got the feeling he’s gonna be a big star sooner than later.

Pancho.