Hello everyone and welcome to my online home. My name is Mark Barker and as you can probably tell from my blog’s name – I love music. I actually own a small recording studio in Manchester, where we help a lot of new bands put demos and releases together.

My interest in music was first sparked by my older brother. He went to see the Sex Pistols at the Free Trade Hall in 1976 and upon his return home began to regale me with tales of the glory of punk, how it would dominate the music industry and ultimately change the world.

While that may never have happened, I still believe in the power of good music. I started working as a studio engineer after leaving college and worked my way up until I could afford to buy my own studio – a dream I finally realised.

Away from work I like to relax with my friends, and drink in low-key pubs around Manchester’s Northern Quarter or Chorlton. Listening to live music at The Deaf Institute is also a favourite night out for me.

Football is also a big part of my life, and I follow Manchester United with a passion. Saturday afternoons generally find me either at the Old Trafford ground cheering with my mates from a hospitality suite, or down my local watching on the big screen. I confess to driving the girl’s I date a little crazy with my obsession for the game, and the inevitable mood swings should we lose – fortunately, that doesn’t happen often!

As well as a hearty appetite for the game, I also enjoy a good curry, with Chinese following a close second. Rolling up in a taxi at Rusholme’s curry mile at 3am is not unheard of, but I’m equally content with a pile of poppadums, paratha and a chicken tikka masala delivered from my favourite local takeaway – the redder the sauce the better.

I’m a bit of a night owl even during the week, and enjoy an occasional flutter at online casinos during the evening. I’d say I’m blessed with a lucky streak.

I hope this blog will convey my love of music and inspire you all to explore new tracks, genres and lyrics and get you all feeling the beat.