Just Mark is a band that, as the name implies, is “just” Mark Chokola. Mark is an artist from Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania whose first guitar came from a sickly family friend. His early music influences were classic rock, jazz, and country which then grew into a love of indie and electronic sounds. Meatloaf and Stone Temple Pilots were artists whose CDs he played on repeat as a child. The first instrument he learned to play was the drums and then became self-taught in guitar, bass, piano, bongos, harmonica, banjo, and ukulele. He was a founding member of several now dissolved bands, the earliest being in high school, where he developed a sound inspired by Modest Mouse and Weezer. Music is Mark’s safe place to turn after many traumatic events early in life including housing insecurity, unstable parents, and the death of several friends.  Mark’s work and dedication to his music is no small feat. His debut album, “Hoping for the Best”, took six years to complete, and includes themes that touch on depression, anxiety, heartbreak and loss and utilizes a plethora of genres including, but not limited to, folk, rock, indie, and jazz. Though Mark is one person, he includes samples and automation to give a full band experience while playing live. “Hoping for the best” is a result of years of work with four different recording studios and Mark’s studies in audio recording.  - Caroline Hayduk