Mark Boone isn’t here to follow trends or fit neatly into a genre. He’s been making music long enough to know that chasing the next big thing is a dead end. His latest album, Xavier Machina, is something else entirely—a project that’s bold, reflective, and refuses to play by anyone else’s rules. It’s not just an album; it’s a deep dive into the big questions we’re all wrestling with.
For Boone, it all started early. Growing up in a family of theatre performers, storytelling was just part of life. Touring across Ontario as a kid, Boone wasn’t drawn to the stage but to the music behind it—the soundtracks that made every story feel bigger. By the time most kids were figuring out what they wanted to do, Boone was already recording tracks for theatre and radio.
“I always gravitated to the creative side,” Boone says. “I liked building things from scratch—figuring out how it all fit together.”
That instinct carried him through decades in the music world. First with his band Wired Skies, releasing albums and working with artists like Alanis Morissette and Eight Seconds in Ottawa. Then at Fanshawe College, where he studied with iconic producer Jack Richardson and collaborated with dozens of up-and-coming bands. Later, in Toronto, Boone stepped into the producer’s role, helping artists like rapper D.O. and R&B singer Marla Berman find their sound.
But somewhere along the way, life pulled him in a different direction.
“I took a break to focus on family,” Boone shares. “But I never stopped writing.”
That creative itch never went away. After years of quietly building songs in his home studio, Boone was sitting on hundreds of unfinished ideas. Out of 200 sketches, he shaped Xavier Machina—16 songs that work together to tell one big story.
The concept? A futuristic character travels back to the present day to try and change history before it’s too late. But Boone didn’t just slap together a sci-fi narrative. The real heart of the album lies in its themes—asking questions like who can you trust? and what’s really worth fighting for?
What sets Xavier Machina apart is how personal it feels. Boone played every instrument, sang every harmony, and produced the whole thing himself in his home studio. He wanted the songs to feel like they flowed naturally, so he waited until the music was done before writing the lyrics—letting the sound guide the story.
“It’s a different way of writing,” Boone admits. “But it felt right for this project.”
While Boone thought his audience would be mostly Gen Xers who grew up on Bowie and Floyd, something surprising happened. The largest group listening on Spotify is 18- to 35-year-olds. Maybe it’s the big, layered sound. Or maybe it’s because Boone’s music doesn’t try to give easy answers. It asks questions that resonate no matter how old you are.
“I think people are looking for something real,” Boone reflects. “The reaction so far has been amazing. It’s been great to see these songs connect with a new audience.”
With Xavier Machina, Boone isn’t trying to reinvent himself—he’s just doing what he’s always done: making music that means something. For him, it’s not about sales or streams. It’s about connection. It’s about telling stories that feel honest, messy, and true.
And if you’re up for it, Xavier Machina just might be your new favorite story.
Check out Xavier Machina on Spotify: Mark Boone – Xavier Machina
Learn more at: www.markboone.com
Instagram: @mark_aubrey_boone
