It could be said that music chose Marke Lester rather than that he chose music as his profession. From an early age he expressed a unique talent to make musical sounds out of household objects and to sing, whistle or play any line of notes he heard by ear. Marke(silent ‘e’)’s first instrument was the viola at age 8, followed later by the piano, drums, bass and guitar. He regularly sang in the church choir and became able to sight-read. Marke was recruited to be in his first band six months after acquiring his first drum set, and was recording demos with them two weeks later. In 1990 he helped form Spiney Norman, a progressive-psychedelic-jazz-rock combo. This band later became Mosquitohead, who became well-known in and around Chicago for their long improvised jams as well as their short, concise pop songs. Sadly their time here did not last. A few years later, in 1994, he co-founded Thunk with a few of Mosquitohead’s members and they too achieved notoriety around Chicago and its suburbs. Around this time Marke had seen enough guitar playing to pick it up himself and begin writing songs. With Thunk he was able to begin showcasing this new skill, only to be honed and refined over time. By the time Thunk called it quits in 2003, Marke had about 25 songs under his belt. He has been playing mostly solo acoustic shows in smaller venues but plans to put together a full band after recording his first album beginning in February of 2007. His writing showcases a profound melodic sense over several genres, including rock, folk, classical and blues, with irresistible hooks and soaring choruses providing the frosting on a poetic yet timely lyrical cake. All the while, the acoustic guitar, with its simultaneous ability to whisper as well as roar, has been Marke’s main instrument.