NEW SINGLE
MISSING YOU
OUT SOON
on
NEW ALBUM
ALWAYS SOMEWHERE
OUT NOW
on Cherry Red Records
“So heartfelt with so much fun and darkness and experience in the mix too. All the good stuff! A brilliant record with great musicianship across the whole thing.”
Felix White
ALBUM REVIEW
It’s album three for former international cricketer Mark Butcher.
After Songs From The Sun House (2010) and Now Playing (2019), comes Always Somewhere. And it’s a bit of a departure.
Where past records were grounded in Paul Weller’s version of mod(ernism); some Free; and Eric Clapton’s take on the blues, Butcher now sounds more like his own thing. It makes for a more intimate listening experience without the distraction - and heft - of those previously-looming musical touchstones.
The instrumentation is completely different. More pop than blues. And the arrangements and song production find themselves grounded in their experimentation rather than being more straight-ahead. And most strikingly, there is a new confidence found in how the Londoner uses the full range of his voice.
Rather than it being up at the top of his register - and top of his lungs - he seems able to let the complexities of the music and the personal nature of the songs do much more of the heavy lifting. In that, it’s a 12-song collection with his soul-leaning voice set amongst it. Rather than three song-types played four times. With Butcher over the top.
Echoes of Crowded House emerge when listened to on repeat. At times more strident - particularly lyrically - but musically as universal and inclusive.
Reflective. Suggestive. Sensitively accompanied by the long-time collaborators that now form The Allusions, this is a piece of work of maturity and – say it again – confidence.
To steal from the singer-guitarist’s former life, the album sounds as if Butcher has, two decades deep, stopped vying for the Man of the Match Award. Content just to play his part in the win. And for all of us perennial losers out there - sporting or otherwise - I know which side of the ledger is preferable.
Always Somewhere is out on Cherry Red Records.
Andy Afford Editor, Pitch – Stories of Modern Sport
Editorial Director, Pitch – Stories of Modern Music
NEWS
September 2025
To commemorate the 1 year anniversary of the release of Always Somewhere, the boys and I - with the help of Cherry Red Records - will be releasing a brand new digital-only single, "Missing You" in the very near future!
Stay tuned for news of the release date and, in the meantime, order yourself a physical copy of the album here:
BUY NOW
ABOUT MARK
Mark Butcher is a celebrated musician and former international cricketer.
Since retiring from professional cricket, Butcher has established himself as a talented guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter.
His music has received praise from both fans and critics, including legendary guitarist Eric Clapton.
Butcher continues to blend his passion for music with his expertise in sports, making him a unique and inspiring artist.
Mark Butcher has seamlessly transitioned from the cricket field to the stage, earning acclaim for his previous albums "Songs From The Sun House" and "Now Playing." With "Always Somewhere," he continues to build on his profile through his poignant songwriting.
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