Marqus Bobesich (aka PoorMarqus) is quickly gaining recognition as one of Canadas most prolific new artists. He has created a unique brand of music with his combination of intelligent songwriting and poignant lyrics. A pure singer-songwriter, Marqus draws from influences such as Sting, Counting Crows, and Jeff Buckley to inspire his own playing and writing. The result is a distinctive mix of bittersweet introspective pop that will touch your musical senses. After playing drums for 12 years, Marqus made the transition to vocalist while at university. Together with musician Shane Anthony, Marqus formed the group Woodrow, playing to folk-houses, coffee shops and university pubs. With the September 1998 release of In Brightness and Beauty, Woodrow was chosen as HMVs indie band of the month, giving them the opportunity to perform at the HMV superstore in Toronto, and open for Canadian group The Gandharvas. The band received airplay at campus stations across Canada, followed by interviews and live-to-air acoustic sets. Marqus songs from the album also appeared on various compilation albums, including Q107s Homegrown 18 CD and Rusted Roses, a tribute album for musician Jeff Buckley. Small Town Oceans, a five-song EP released in May 2001, marked the debut of Marqus as a solo artist. Together with 2-time Juno nominee Karen Kane, Marqus received a 2001 FACTOR Demo Award for recording. He has since performed material from this album to thousands of people, with showcases at the 2001 NOTA Music Conference and CIBCs Run for the Cure (at Torontos Nathan Philips Square). When it comes to penning the words behind his music, he cites more authors than vocalists for shaping his own perspective on the world. Marqus has received writing awards from Books in Canada, Vandoo Newsmagazine and McLaughlin Fellows. His lyrics have appeared in numerous publications across Canada, such as McGill Street Magazine, Poetry Canada, Lichen and Jones Avenue. He has also self-published four collections of poetry/lyrics, including Hire Fydrants and Stoopid Love (1994) and An Obscene Joy To Us Still (1999). Marqus has also appeared in over 40 television commercials airing in Canada, US, Europe and Australia. In 2002, Marqus teamed up with producer Brent Bodrug (Alanis Morissette, Jacksoul) for These Machines Are Perfect, a four song EP that was well received by Canadian A&R and garnered them a FACTOR demo award. He is currently in the studio with producer D'Arcy McGuire working towards a new release for Summer 2007.