Mark Altekruse, Guitarist

02/12/2025

12/24/2024

To celebrate the Holidays I put together a montage of drawings and paintings by my father, Max Altekruse, along with music I recorded in 2006 with my brethren at Hex Orchestra at Earth Terminal Studios in Odiham, England. Happy Holidays to all and Strive for Peace in the coming years.

11/26/2024

https://open.substack.com/pub/markaltekruse/chat?r=46xlp&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=share

Join now in the Substack app

08/07/2024

I have become an optimistic opsimath.

08/03/2024

For several years now I’ve been exploring the complexity and richness of timbres - sounds individual and in combination - whether electric, electronic, or acoustic. I have not found a nirvana. There is no specific outcome. There never will be. But I have discovered something, or rather come to grips with the reality about sound and timbre. Electric and electronic instruments are capable of producing sounds from the simple sine wave to the harmonically rich and complex. And these sounds have been and continue to be inspiring.

That being said, there is nothing quite like playing an acoustic instrument. Especially one that is exquisitely built which allows the musician and the listener to discern every single note in a melodic line, simple triad, or a complex chord with multiple extensions. There is a different feeling of inspiration when that happens. And there is joy in that.

07/29/2024

😂😂

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/QLvLpdvizg6xmGCb/?mibextid=qDwCgo

05/21/2024

05/18/2024

I haven’t had this much fun playing since taking delivery of my two Keith Holland Guitars - the Strat and Tele (aka the Butterscotch Beast). I should also say that I’ve never owned a flat top acoustic that had the dynamic range of this remarkable instrument built by Aaron Davis. We’re sussing out the details of one he will build for yours truly. I promise to be patient. Maybe.

05/12/2024

On Monday, May 13, I'll be playing at the D18 Democratic Wine Event from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy fine wine, great food, and bid on silent auction items like a giclée print of one of my father's oil paintings. The event will be held at the Spring Creek Clubhouse (3450 S. Millspur Way, 83716), with tickets available at the door for $35 per person. Come join us and hear from the Democratic leadership team from the Idaho House and Senate.

01/10/2024

From one year ago.

My small contribution of the thousands made in memory of Jeff Beck.

12/14/2023

This is a TBT from a band I was a member of in Detroit in 1972. The band was (L to R) me on guitar, Don Thompson on bass, Kerry Burke on drums, Bugs Beddow on trombone, flute, and vocals, and Mick Turner on vocals and guitar.

It’s a bittersweet memory as Don, Bugs, and Mick have all passed away. I lost touch with Kerry many years ago so if anyone from the Detroit area knows him please tell him I said hello.