In a world of teenage American Idol winners, Mark Radcliffe is a bit of a late-bloomer. Maybe that’s what the music world could use a little more of. 　　 　　As a former English teacher on the coast of Maine, Mark Radcliffe spent years working with words in a classroom before ever fashioning them into songs. And these years spent in other pursuits provided life experiences that would pay off in time, translating to introspective songs of love, loss and the search for self that fans everywhere could embrace as personal anthems. 　　 　　Radcliffe was raised on an eclectic diet of U2, Marc Cohn, the Indigo Girls, Crowded House, and Martin Sexton, developed a deep affection for melody and harmony. 　　 　　Radcliffe knew his full musical message would be best expressed using layered and atmospheric sound, so he joined up with LA producing team of Rob Giles (The Rescues) and Rich Jacques (RightTheStars) to produce his first full-studio release, “The Sea Before Us” in 2009. “The Sea Before Us” is a lush, atmospheric collage of California acoustic pop-rock, oozing with catch hooks, infectious melodies, and lyrics that beg to be sung over an open highway. 　　 　　The album found radio success with the lead single “In the Sun”, climbing to #45 on the A/C charts. The press embraced Mark as well, describing him as “an undeniable talent, a singer/songwriter in the mold of Duncan Sheik, David Gray or Kenny Loggins” by PowerPopaholic. Radcliffe has drawn further comparisons to John Mayer, Chris Isaac and even The Eagles, with crafted songs that “spin tails of love and loss in easy, cultured pop arrangements that are hard not to like.” (Wildy’s World) But ask an average fan, and they’ll offer simpler testimonials like, “his album hasn’t left my car’s CD changer in six months.” 　　 　　Through a strategic partnership with Hyundai, Mark has been touring nationally in support of “The Sea Before Us”. Hyundai gave him a brand new 2011 Sonata to use as his tour bus and paired him with cinematographer Liam Finn to capture the adventure. To help bring the car to the people, Mark put together a Hyundai House Concert Tour all up and down the West coast, all of which culminated in a 5 minute tour video that became featured content on Hyundai’s website and part of their 2010 “Hyundai Uncensored” campaign. 　　 　　Currently, Radcliffe is back in New York, playing around the city and steadily working away on new songs. ”The Sea Before Us” is in stores and online now.