Marcus Turner

Marcus Turner is one of New Zealand's best-known folk musicians and songwriters, who has performed in most New Zealand folk festivals, as well as festivals in Australia, and in venues in other places overseas. He was also a presenter in the New Zealand children's television programmes Spot On, How's That and Play School.

Marcus Turner lives on the Otago Peninsula, near Dunedin, New Zealand. He began performing folk music at the Otago University Folk Music Club in 1973: a time when a folk music revival was underway. Marcus's repertoire, which initially concentrated on the music of popular singers such as Paul Simon and John Denver, soon expanded to include more traditional music. During the 1970s Marcus was an active member of the "Ginger Minge Binge Bush Band" and later "High Country Bluegrass".

Marcus began to write some of his own songs, achieving early success when EMI recorded and released "The Civil Service Song" as a single. A few years later he recorded his first album ("The Best is Yet to Come", released by Cityfolk) then made a tour of New Zealand folk clubs to promote it.

Marcus became widely known throughout the country as part of the trio who presented the popular children's TV programme Spot On. Following this, while training to become a television director, he acted as musical director for "A Drop of the Pure Stuff", a televised folk concert from Central Otago. A 20-month trip to Britain followed, where he tried his hand at becoming a professional folk musician, but found the lifestyle too demanding.

Since then, Marcus helped to form The Chaps, with fellow Dunedin folk musicians Mike Moroney (formerly of The Pioneer Pog 'n' Scroggin Bush Band), Hyram Ballard and John Dodd. The Chaps have recorded two albums and made two trips to Europe. In 2005 he released his second solo album Laid Down. His musical interests have expanded to include traditional music from many countries, and Marcus plays a wide variety of traditional musical instruments with other Dunedin musicians. Irish singer Andy Irvine, the Danish folk group Færd and the British singing group The Hen Party are among those who have recorded Marcus's compositions. He has composed for films, including the NHNZ documentary "Hotel Iguana".