Mark & Brenda - the duo

Mark Laurent play’s the blues like his life depends on it! His guitar is just about as expressive as his vocals and confirms the guitar hero status that he earned several decades ago when his professional music career kicked off in the 1970’s.

“The highlight of the entire evening took place when Mark launched into some blues during which he played blistering, brilliant acoustic guitar licks, while voice-mimicking lead guitar sounds note for note, nuance for nuance in a masterful display of technique and taste that stands as one of our clubs most memorable performances to this day. He almost brought the house down.”

Brendan Hanley, Byron Vista Social Club, Byron Bay, NSW

His wife and performance partner Brenda Liddiard has a voice born of true folk, protest and alt country sentiments. Brenda has been greatly influenced by English and American acoustic music and found her niche as a songwriter during her passionate involvement with environmental and anti-nuclear issues dating from the 70’s and 80’s. Her album, Box of Memories, was a finalist in the 2013 Tui Awards for Best Folk Album.

“Thank you, Brenda, for an evening of amazing music. You made us think, cry and laugh with your wonderful heartfelt songs. This was an evening of music never to be forgotten”

Rafters Music Club, Auckland

“Mark and Brenda are astute and seasoned performers. They are very well known on the acoustic music scene and between them have recorded. or contributed to, over 30 albums. It is very cool that we can host musicians of this calibre.”

Mark Raffills, poet, MC, Live @ Little & Local

Video - Mark Video - Brenda Bookings House Concerts

We now both have Bandcamp profiles (Mark; Brenda) where you can buy digital albums & some single tracks. Our back catalogue of albums is also available to buy on USB memory stick (including extra live tracks and videos), as well as compilation CDs of favourite tracks

Contact us for details

Photo: Joel Hildebrand

“This fantastic duo never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of their songs, music and poetry ... sublime guitar and mandolin textures, and soulful harmonies”.

Mike Moroney - Dunedin Folk Club

“Mark and Brenda are artists who come from the heart. Their music speaks a universal language which seems to touch every audience they play to. The atmosphere they create is intimate, warm, playful and rich with meaning and a wise knowing of shared experience which bathes their audience with a sense of belonging”.

Rex McCann, Author & Event Organiser

For more than three decades Mark Laurent and Brenda Liddiard have been playing music together, part of that secret army of ‘indie’ musicians who fly just below the commercial radar, playing grass-roots, mostly un-plugged music throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

What they enjoy most is to connect with audiences on an intimate level. They love playing acoustic clubs, small theatres, house concerts, churches - wherever people want to come close and really listen. But they can also be found jamming in a crowded cafe/bar, or filling large open spaces, like city squares or festival marquees, with the sound of guitars, mandolin, ukulele, Rowan lute and harmonies.

They’re both songwriters, with their own styles, so they’ve become each others’ backing band. Mark has a penchant for acoustic rock, blues & reggae, whereas Brenda’s songs lean more towards new folk & alt. country. So what you get is an eclectic mix of material, that can be ‘pin drop’ delicate, or sound like a 4-piece band! They often also pepper their shows with short bursts of poetry, just to keep things interesting.

“I guess at every gig there is someone who is hearing you for the first time, so as a first-timer, thank you both for an awesome evening of discovery, enjoyment and appreciation. Their is a welcome in your presence that invites every listener into every song and poem. You present your works in an atmosphere of inclusiveness which draws your audience into sharing rather than being at ‘a performance’. And your songs are lovely - a beautiful purity of melody and themes of wisdom so often hidden and overlooked in the ordinary things of life. So refreshing!

Suzie McCarthy - (Auckland – ‘Poetry Live’ gig, Grand Central, Ponsonby, 2006 )

“When this duo appeared on the scene, everyone took notice. Mark's brilliance on guitar is matched by Brenda's instinctive mandolin accompaniments. Their songs are contemporary, self-penned, and echo issues which touch the lives of us all – and they are sung from the heart. No-one should miss this!”

Devonport Folk Club

“Two of New Zealand's finest singer/songwriters ... amazing guitar work ... punchy mandolin ... tongue in cheek humour ... plenty of feeling”
Wellington Folk Festival

“They sing powerful songs gently and gentle songs with such power”

Photo: Paul Restall