Marcus Mumford

Marcus Mumford: biography

Marcus Mumford is a British musician, singer, and songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Grammy Award-winning folk-rock band Mumford & Sons.

Childhood and youth

Marcus Mumford was born on January 31, 1987, in Yorba Linda, California, but was raised in Wimbledon, London, England. His parents, John and Eleanor Mumford, are both Christian leaders and founded the Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland, a network of Christian churches.

Growing up, Mumford was exposed to music from a young age, as his parents were also involved in the worship music scene. He learned to play the drums at a young age and began playing in bands when he was a teenager. He attended King's College School in Wimbledon and then went on to study at the University of Edinburgh.

Overall, Mumford's childhood and youth were heavily influenced by his parents' Christian faith and their involvement in the worship music scene. He was exposed to music from a young age and began playing in bands during his teenage years, which ultimately led him to form Mumford & Sons with his friends.

Music career

Marcus Mumford's music career started when he was a teenager playing in various bands. He attended university in Edinburgh and formed a band with Laura Marling called Laura Marling and the Dharohar Project, which blended British folk with Indian classical music. However, his biggest success would come with Mumford & Sons, which he formed in 2007 with some of his friends.

Mumford & Sons' debut album, "Sigh No More," was released in 2009 and became an instant success. The album featured hit singles such as "Little Lion Man" and "The Cave" and showcased the band's unique blend of folk, rock, and bluegrass. Mumford's distinctive voice and the band's energetic live performances quickly garnered a large following and critical acclaim.

The band's second album, "Babel," was released in 2012 and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The album featured hit singles such as "I Will Wait" and "Lover of the Light" and continued the band's success.

In 2015, Mumford & Sons released their third album, "Wilder Mind," which marked a departure from their traditional sound. The album featured a more electric and rock-oriented sound and showcased the band's versatility. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200.

In 2016, Mumford & Sons collaborated with Senegalese singer Baaba Maal, American folk-rock band The Very Best, and South African pop group Beatenberg to create the album "Johannesburg." The album was inspired by the band's trip to South Africa and showcased their willingness to experiment with new sounds and genres.

Mumford has also collaborated with other musicians outside of Mumford & Sons. In 2013, he was part of the supergroup The New Basement Tapes, which consisted of Mumford, Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Taylor Goldsmith, and Jim James. The group created an album of unreleased Bob Dylan lyrics called "Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes."

In July, 2022 Marcus Mumford announced his first solo album titled Self-Titled, which was set to release in September 2022. Produced by Blake Mills, the album includes collaborations with Brandi Carlile, Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, and Monica Martin. The album features the track "Cannibal", which Mumford wrote in January 2021, inspired by his personal struggles. The music video for "Cannibal" was directed by the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg and was shot on 3 July in a high school gym in New York.

Aside from his music career, Mumford has also dabbled in acting. He played a minor role in the Coen Brothers' film "Inside Llewyn Davis" in 2013 and had a cameo in the Apple TV+ series "Ted Lasso" in 2020.

Overall, Marcus Mumford's music career has been marked by his distinctive voice and his band's unique blend of folk, rock, and bluegrass. Mumford & Sons have won several awards and accolades and have shown their willingness to experiment with new sounds and genres.

Personal life

Marcus Mumford married actress Carey Mulligan in 2012, after meeting her at a Mumford & Sons concert in Nashville. The couple has two children together, a daughter born in 2015 and a son born in 2017. They keep their personal life relatively private, rarely speaking about their relationship in interviews or on social media.

Mumford is known for his philanthropic work and involvement in various charitable organizations. He has been a longtime supporter of War Child UK, an organization that helps children affected by war, and has performed at several of their fundraising events. He has also been involved with the Waterkeeper Alliance, a group that works to protect and preserve water resources around the world.

In 2020, Mumford and Mulligan hosted a virtual charity concert called "Folk Together" to raise money for War Child UK and Save the Children's coronavirus response. The concert featured performances from several artists including Mumford & Sons, Dolly Parton, and Ed Sheeran.

Mumford is also an advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about his own struggles with anxiety and depression. He has spoken about how his music and writing have helped him cope with these issues and has encouraged others to seek help if they are struggling with their mental health.

Despite his success in the music industry, Mumford remains grounded and has spoken about the importance of staying connected to his roots. He has credited his upbringing in a musical family and his time playing in small pubs and clubs as a teenager for shaping his musical style and approach.

Discography

• Love Your Ground EP (2008) - as a solo artist
• The Cave and the Open Sea EP (2009) - with Laura Marling and Dharohar Project
• Sigh No More (2009) - with Mumford & Sons
• The Basement Sessions EP (2010) - with Mumford & Sons
• Babel (2012) - with Mumford & Sons
• Wilder Mind (2015) - with Mumford & Sons
• Johannesburg EP (2016) - with Mumford & Sons and Baaba Maal, The Very Best, and Beatenberg
• Delta (2018) - with Mumford & Sons
• Self-Titled (2022) - as a solo artist

It's worth noting that Marcus Mumford has primarily been known for his work with Mumford & Sons, but he has also released solo material and collaborated with other artists over the years. The above list includes all of his major releases to date, with the most recent being his debut solo album, Self-Titled, which was released in September 2022.