Mark Daniel Kuykendall, widely recognized by his creative moniker The New Honey Shade, is a multidisciplinary artist and producer based in Osage County, Oklahoma. Known for his deeply evocative and experimental approach, Kuykendall's work bridges the realms of sound, nature, and visual storytelling. His compositions are defined by the fusion of electronically manipulated field recordings, analog synthesizers, and vintage 8mm and 16mm film footage. This unique aesthetic results in immersive works that evoke nostalgia while exploring modern themes of connection and memory.

Kuykendall resides on Wild Mountain in Osage County, where the natural environment profoundly shapes his creative practice. Recent projects delve into biosonification, capturing the bioelectrical signals emitted by plants and translating them into music. This innovative method reflects his ongoing exploration of the relationship between the natural world and human creativity, blurring the lines between art, science, and technology.

Over the years, Kuykendall has become a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s experimental music scene. Through his work as founder and curator of Unknown Tone Records, he has fostered a global community of ambient and experimental musicians, producing and releasing over 60 albums from artists spanning 30 countries. His contributions extend beyond music to include designing album artwork, directing music videos, and composing original film scores.

The New Honey Shade's work has been featured in diverse contexts, from film festivals and gallery installations to live performances and collaborative art projects. Whether composing a biofeedback-driven score, creating soundscapes that transcend conventional structures, or integrating archival visuals into his performances, Kuykendall continues to push the boundaries of multimedia artistry, cementing his place as a pioneer in experimental electronic music.

ARTIST STATEMENT

ARTIST STATEMENT 

As The New Honey Shade, my work is a dialogue between the organic and the technological, the ephemeral and the permanent. I find inspiration in the subtle details of everyday life, the textures of forgotten stories, and the quiet rhythms of the natural world. By blending analog warmth with the precision of digital tools, I strive to create immersive experiences that invite listeners and viewers to slow down, reflect, and connect with a deeper sense of place.
Living on Wild Mountain, surrounded by the flora and fauna of Osage County, I’ve developed an intimate relationship with the environment that informs my practice. My recent explorations in biosonification allow me to uncover the hidden sounds of plants, revealing their vitality and transforming their bioelectrical signals into evolving musical compositions. These works are not only artistic expressions but also meditations on the interconnectedness of all life.
Film also plays a central role in my creative process. I collect and restore vintage 8mm and 16mm film, much of it sourced from estate sales and family archives. These visual fragments of the past become a canvas for storytelling, layered with soundscapes that echo memory and emotion.
Ultimately, my goal is to create art that exists between worlds—where nostalgia meets innovation, where science becomes poetry, and where the boundaries between human and natural creativity dissolve. Through this practice, I hope to inspire others to listen more deeply, see more clearly, and reconnect with the hidden beauty of the world around us.