Arts
Men In Love and Loss
Men in Love and Loss
Mark Weigle Plays Out and Proud Country-Folk Music
It is rare to find a gay male musician who is open and forthright about who he is. Sadly, so many musicians and actors feel they must dodge, hide and hint at their sexuality when they could do much more of a service by being honest.
Californian singer/songwriter Mark Weigle is one of the courageous few to sing about same-sex love, loss and joy among men. His three CDs, including the most recent release, Out of the Loop are testimony to all the emotions that two men in love go through. Add to that commentary on coming out of the closet, body image and making a difference and you have a good idea of what Weigle is all about.
Mark started playing music early. At the age of five he played piano and later sang in school choruses. The influence of country music was all around; his parents and brothers listened to Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. His sisters turned him on to the early 70’s country rock of Dan Fogelberg and Jackson Browne. After high school Mark lived in Montana, and not having a piano available bought a guitar and taught himself to play and write his own songs. Those early musical influences spill over to his music today and his CD’s, while not being strictly country music, are a happy mix of folk, rock, and country.
“Have I Told You in the last 5 Minutes ...” Opens Out of the Loop with a bouncy, country, acoustic guitar hook that would be at home on a Jerry Garcia album. It is a straightforward declaration of love from one man to another. “I Remember” may be the CDs most beautiful and bittersweet song. Russ Gautier’s violin playing on this cut is outstanding, adding to it a haunting Appalachian Mountain sound. Its lyrics deal with the loss of friends and loved ones and the inevitability of change:
Gramma’s the only one back home / Who really understands / We’ve both lost a husband now / And so many friends / But it’s looking like I might have a lifetime / Still ahead of me / A life I never dreamed I’d see.
“Bears” is a rollicking country tune driven by banjo and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about bears. Lyle Lovett also covered this tune, written by Steven Fromholz, although not with same slyness that Weigle does.
This is a CD of mostly country-folk tunes, but one standout tune “Love Your Body” is a major departure from the rest. Mark explains the title “Out of the Loop” comes from being “fed up with the hype and who’s hipper.” “The ‘gaystream’ seems particularly to hinge their identity on being the latest fashion. I am so happy to just be doing my thing, being real with myself.” “Love Your Body” deals directly with this subject and has a trance-like, electronic sound. The lyrics deal with loving yourself the way you are and not falling into the trap of plastic surgery, drugs, or body enhancement to find happiness: “My brother you are not your muscles, tattoos, piercings, liposuction or collagen injection.” Mark’s friend, singer Lonnie Tuck from San Francisco, lends a distinct R&B vocal to the track. “Love your body like it is” goes the refrain over and over, sending forth a good positive message backed by a funky dance beat.
Anyone looking for folksy, country music by an out, gay male singer this CD is for you. “I’m inspired by stories that are new, that haven’t been told in a song before,” says Mark. “There are a lot of gay experiences that haven’t been told.”
Mark Weigle has made three very consistent CDs of gay affirming, thoughtful and melodic songs. He tours mostly in the west and southwest region of the country, playing bars, Bear events, pride and folk festivals. Out of the Loop is available at Burlington’s Peace and Justice store or get it through Mark’s website: www.markweigle.com.
Tim Evans listens to “Bears” and other countrified folk in Burlington.