“Runk’s soprano voice

is like honey

and her tunes are

full of hooks.”

-Tony Breed, CHIRP Radio

Marian Runk’s life-long fascination with storytelling evolved from book arts and comics to songwriting and performing.

A dancer, birdwatcher, visual artist, political activist, writer, and musician; the breadth of her creativity is felt in every aspect of her music. 

Two Wires and a Spark - out on September 13 - is filled with the powerful imagery you expect from someone with such a diverse artistic background. Often compared to Karen Dalton and Gillian Welch, Runk writes lyrics that cover an expanse of themes, including loneliness, (mis)communication, dealing with grief, living alongside addiction, and road trips through the Rust Belt.

New Album Two Wires and a Spark is out now!

“Marian Runk writes uncannily vivid lyrics. The lovely country- and folk-inflected songs on her debut album, A Few Feet From the Ground, make it easy to picture her characters: the undertaker with a bad toupee in the sparse, dusty "Crowell," for instance, and the lovelorn snow goose pining for a missing companion in the moving ballad "The Loneliest Birds."

-J.R. Nelson (Gossip Wolf), Chicago Reader

9/29/24
Two Wires and a Spark
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW with Joybird
Judson and Moore 8 pm
Chicago, IL
TICKETS

10/25/24
Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)
private showcase, Fri midnight (i.e. 12 am Sat)
Lisle, IL

11/16/24
Marian Runk, Jonas Friddle, & Joybird
Esquina 6:30 pm $20 suggested donation
4602 N Western Ave Chicago, IL

12/14/24
Marian Runk and Emily Nott
Arts + Literature Laboratory 7 pm
TICKETS ($10-15 advance, $20/door)
Madison, WI

1/11/2025
A Celebration of the Songs of Michael Smith
Evanston SPACE 2 pm
TICKETS
Evanston, IL

2/19-2/23/25
Folk Alliance International Conference
Montreal, Quebec details TBA

VIDEO PREMIERE, BROKEN & FREE (AMERICANA UK):
”an absorbing and timeless reflection on grief.” 

REVIEW (RAINBOW RODEO):
”Marian Runk makes oblivion sound sweet on her mischievous folk jazz-inspired Two Wires and a Spark”

THE GREAT AMERICAN FOLK SHOW: EPISODE 116

Listen at the top of the show to hear the premiere of “Luck” and “Making Light of the Devil” from Two Wires and a Spark. I also talk a little bit about my path to music, my intentions with songwriting, and why I think everyone should both take voice lessons and follow their gut to a creative pursuit.

RAINBOW RODEO premieres “POSSIBILITY,” the first single from Two Wires and a Spark

Photo by Gillian Fry

Photo by Gillian Fry

CHICAGO CROWD SURFER #53

I talked to Chicago Crowd Surfer ahead of my album release show, in March 2019. We discussed my debut album, “A Few Feet from the Ground,” what I love about songwriting, indie comics, and the country music scene in Chicago.