Mark Sinnis – Cemetery & Western Storyteller

Mark Sinnis is a seasoned music veteran whose dark, haunting blend of Rock, Country Americana, and Alternative has earned him a unique place in the American music landscape. Described by writer Doktor John as “Cemetery & Western,” Sinnis’s sound fuses traditional country roots with a gothic sensibility and a modern edge.

Born and raised in New York and now based in Wilmington, North Carolina since 2016, Sinnis possesses a voice often compared to legends like Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison—deep, emotive, and unmistakably his own. His music captures themes of longing, mortality, and redemption, delivered with cinematic flair and Southern Gothic undertones.

After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Sinnis launched his music career alongside his brother Francis Xavier on drums. He co-founded Apostates, a Long Island punk band that evolved into a gothic rock fixture in the NYC underground scene. From 1988 to 1998, Apostates released two full-length albums and two singles, making their mark during a decade of lineup changes and underground acclaim.

By 1998, living in New York City, Sinnis transitioned into a new era by forming Ninth House, again with his brother on drums. As the band’s sole songwriter, he steered Ninth House through four full-length albums, pushing the boundaries of gothic Americana and alternative rock.

In 2001, Sinnis began performing solo acoustic sets, bringing a raw intimacy to his storytelling. He also began working with a rotating cast of musicians under the name 825. 8-25 the day he was born.

A milestone in his career came in 2019, when he recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee—following in the footsteps of music giants like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and B.B. King. This session would be the first of five Sun Sessions, the most recent recorded in August 2025, cementing his connection to the roots of rock and country music.

With a career spanning over three decades, multiple bands, and an unmistakable signature sound, Mark Sinnis continues to explore the darker edges of Americana, offering songs that echo from the graveyards of the past into the soul of the present.

All of Mark Sinnis’s music is available on iTunes, Spotify, and most major streaming platforms.