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Miko Marks Hell or High Water

Posted by on October 31, 2026 at 7:16 am

By Brian Rock

A lot has happened to Miko Marks since the 2022 release of her acclaimed album, Feel Like Going Home. She got a divorce and started her journey to sobriety. Deprived of the comfort of companionship and consumption, she had to face her personal demons alone and sober. The result is expressed in her new album, Hell or High Water. Marks is more focused, more intense, and more powerful than she’s ever been. Despite her diverse musical background, only blues could convey the depths of her journey; and she sings the blues like one who’s lived them up close and personal. Marks says the album is about, “resilience, healing, freedom, and choosing hope in the face of pain.” From pain to healing and from darkness to light, Marks leans heavily on Piedmont and Delta blues styles to explore her darkest depths and her struggles to overcome them.

“Ain’t Nobody Gonna Bring Me Down,” begins the album, but really marks the end of her journey. The Harmonica laced Delta blues create a gritty backbeat for her defiant declaration of triumph. Before she reveals the battles she’s fought, she let’s you know who won. With a Katie Webster snarl in her voice she sings, “Ain’t nobody, gonna bring me down. I’m feeling good, won’t let nothing turn me around.” Having conquered the darkness in her life, she now declares, “I’m gonna sing for the sunshine, gonna dance for the rain. As long as I’ve got blood running warm in my veins.” No longer weighed down by her demons, she is free to enjoy life on her own terms.

But before she found peace, there was trouble. “Bound to Roam,” notes the beginning of Marks’ travails. It’s not so much a catastrophic event, as it is a nagging feeling that something isn’t right. Gentle Piedmont blues rhythms mimic her urge to ramble as she feels the call to escape something she can’t quite put her finger on.  “I’ve Got A Feeling,” echoes the sentiment in a smoky blues moan. Singing, “I’ve got a feeling something just ain’t right,” Marks is unable to define the cause of her unease. Still, she feels darkness closing in as she continues, “Oh, the wicked keep hanging around my door. Give my holy water, and they won’t come around here no more.” “Reaper Blues,” picks up the pace with a bouncy, Jump blues rhythm. Evoking midnight crossroads imagery, Marks comes to realize that she may be somehow culpable for the ills befalling her. “Death Rolls Like Thunder,” imagines facing your demons even when you’re outnumbered. Inspired by the Battle of Little Bighorn, Marks finds inspiration to fight on despite the odds. “Hell Or High Water,” is a Delta blues commitment to continue the fight. Facing her fears, Marks declares, “I’ve been down in the valley, walked through the grave; been lost in the deep, and tossed by the waves. Oh Lord, I ain’t gonna let it stop me now. Come hell or high water, I’ll make it through somehow.” But to continue the fight, Marks learns to lean on her faith in the Texas blues of, “It’s Alright.” Realizing that she doesn’t need booze or a beau to face her demons, she finds some peace on, “Ease My Mind,” “Sweet Mama’s Blues,” is a reminder that there’s no better cure for the blues than a mother’s loving arms. She sings, “When you’re feeling low down, and you don’t know what to do; well, it might feel a little bit better with a taste of sweet mama’s blues.” Remembering her mother, and her grandmother before, Marks taps into the chain of love that extends back before she was born. With a new perspective and a new found strength, Marks is ready to reclaim her identity. The rollicking Piedmont blues of “Freedom,” finally dispel the dark cloud that has plagued her. She now declares, “You know I got to keep on walking, keep walking down that sunny road. Don’t ask me where I’m going, cuz Lord I just don’t know.” No longer fearful of outcomes, she has learned to enjoy the journey. With her indomitable spirit and electrifying vocals, Miko Marks gives us the Blues soaked inspiration we need to face our own troubles, come Hell or high water. 

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Brian Rock

Brian Rock

Brian was raised gypsy style, moving every other year until well after college. As friendships proved to be temporary, Brian found a constant companion in music, wearing the grooves off Beatles and Dylan albums before moving on to Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yokam. Living so often in flux, he has come to value music and lyrics of lasting quality. Not moved by trends or fashion, he is drawn to timeless lyrics and soulful rhythms. Although now settled down, Brian still expresses his gypsy spirit through his writing. He has co-written songs with musician friends he’s met along the way, including several contributions to the 2012 ICMA Album of the Year, Family Album. Brian also writes children’s books and poems, including the Children’s Book Council featured title, The Deductive Detective.
Brian Rock

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