Route is delighted to announce the acquisition of Mark Hoyle’s memoir, Swerve – an evocative insider’s account of post-punk Manchester.
Swerve provides intimate, eye-witness access to all the haunts and people associated with the golden era of Manchester music, both the icons and the ones less celebrated, from the early days of punk to the frenzy of Madchester. Mark Hoyle is in the middle of it all, telling us his story. Plunged into the UK Care system aged nine following the death of his mother, Mark escaped aged sixteen, alone in the world, and found a surrogate family in the wider musical community that was exploding on his doorstep. Whether as a dedicated participant in the Manchester Musician’s Collective, working at the Hacienda, or living amongst the creative chaos of Hulme’s notorious crescents, we witness an artist developing in the raw. Against this backdrop, Mark’s band Dub Sex emerge, into which everything flows.
On the acquisition:
Mark Hoyle: ‘I have been an admirer of Route for many years, and I am delighted to be a part of their roster of authors. I was originally attracted by their excellent music catalogue, but it was the company’s dedication to human stories that really swung it for me. I was confident that the delicate story of my early life would be treated with respect and care, and that their specialist knowledge of music meant that they would understand the unique musical times I have been a part of and contributed to. Working on Swerve so far has been a revelation. Route have the editing skills to turn my life story into a compelling and life-changing book, and seeing it come to life before my eyes has been both amazing and uplifting.’
Route Editor Ian Daley: ‘One glance at Mark’s manuscript and we knew we were the right home for it. The Manchester music backdrop is the obvious attraction, but it is Mark’s unique life story that really grips. It’s the portrait of an artist as a young man, Manchester style. Mark has established a reputation for intelligent and honest song-writing, and all that and more is on display here. The opening chapter is the most potent advocacy for the power of books and reading that I’ve ever read. It’s an honour to help Mark share his story with the world.’
Swerve is slated for release in 2024. The book will be made available as a collector’s signed and numbered edition exclusively from Route before it goes on general release. Sign up to our newsletter to be amongst the first to receive pre-order notification.
For more on Dub Sex visit dubsex.net
Watch Dub Sex perform 'Swerve', the song from which Mark's memoir takes its name.