Wednesday, 30 July 2014

Interview: Sam Martin

 Chance is you don't know him, but Oxfordshire-based singer/songwriter Sam Martin is certainly someone to have you raising your eyebrows at, wondering why on earth this voice isn't already hitting the charts. Bring together the raw acoustics of 'Ed Sheeran' and a pinch of the illustrious intensity and emotion of American band 'Barcelona' and you just about touch on Martin's sound. Whilst I can notably name artist after artist, made in comparison with Martin's music, there is no sound out there that can quite define his style. The tone to his voice is undeniably unique, mesmerizing and exceptionally languid. I'll admit I can only say this for a few artists but there is something about listening to a song which will either have you immediately skipping it in frustration or deciding to wait a while and hear how the artist lets it grow into something majestic and enrapturing. Martin is one of those artists, able to use his voice to captivate the listener and beguile the senses in a way you feel utterly transfixed by this strange sensation. It's like walking into another world, or staring at the majesty of our landscape, such as water in the ocean; both dangerous and yet beautiful, you can either choose to be swept up with it or to resist it. Essentially, there are many people out there who would much rather sit at home, cramp up the volume on their iPod/Phone and rock out playing air guitar. Then there are those who would prefer to take their interests to clubs where they hang with their mates, drinking cocktails, beers and whatever selection of alcohol to delude the senses than admit a preference to listen to a soft acoustic tune. Inevitably, not every one will take to acoustic music like Martin's, with great fervour. Nevertheless this doesn't mean his music is any less important.

Whilst Martin's songs invariably differ in style, with some taking on a characteristic folk sound, Martin yet remains rooted in the acoustic genre, really revelling in the artistry of his guitar-playing and emotion to which he conveys through his voice. An artist with the power to subdue the senses into a state of repose, you do not want to miss this talented singer who is making his way to the top with one goal for success.

So there's a little context for you, I admit I digress; recently I caught up with Martin himself where i sent across some questions online which he replied to , detailing how his music career stands today and the influences behind his expressive music. Here's what he had to say:

Have you been enjoying playing shows, particularly with the festival season upon us?

Yeah it's been really great this year, i've been playing festivals all over, it's such a unique way of performing, every body just comes along to enjoy music and it's great to meet so many amazing and influential people and other artists. I've played some of my favourite festivals that i've been going along to for years. It's a beautiful time of year to experience music.

When did you decide you wanted to be a singer? Did you start learning guitar and got into music that way or was it something you've known you've always wanted to pursue?

I've been in love with singing from a really early age, I was always captured by amazing vocalists when I was growing up. My house was very musical, both of my parents raised us on such a diverse and eclectic array of genres, even as a kid I drew so much inspiration as well as aspiration from a very early age. I knew that it was something I would always be in love with, everything I listened to just made me want to write and create my own music to share with people and it's taken me on an amazing journey. I've been playing guitar since I was really young, we always had guitars around the house. My dad played when he was younger and showed me and my brother the basics, from there I was really captivated by guitar, as well as singing at the same time. From there I just wanted to learn and play everything, rhythm and lead guitarists like Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Clapton and these amazing blues guitarists my dad got me into really taught me of the dexterity and fluidity of guitar. The years went on and I started to play piano and other instruments to record with friends, it was really great getting into all kind stuff.

Do you think the area has influenced your music?

Definitely, I will always credit the growth and expansion of my music over the years to where I grew up. There's such a genuine love for music in the area and an amazing scene for anybody who wants to create and share their music. I've been really fortunate enough to work with some beautiful people who have shown me incredible support over the years. It's made everything so enjoyable and I'll always be grateful for that.

Are there are artists who you aspire to? Or have they acted purely as an inspiration to you?

Yeah absolutely, like I said I was listening to so much from such an early age I think in a lot of ways, everything I listened to inspired me even if it was in a subconscious way. I was always in love with great songwriting, artists like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Nick Drake have played a big part in the way I approach songwriting and I look up to them in that respect, the list of inspiration goes on for miles. I think there's an intangible beauty and human connection in songwriting. You're really exposing who you are through music and it's amazing when people can share it with the world. I always wanted to combine my love of guitar and singing to create something raw and personal I guess. Something I can express myself through.

What, personally, do you think is the best thing about singing?

The emotion behind it, the feeling of performing live is something I can never put into words, it's always been my favourite part of singing. It's an incredibly human experience, that sounds really cliché but for me it always has been, that connection with people is amazing. When I get to stand on stage and share that moment with people. I guess the feeling of excitement and passion to perform has always outweighed the worry of getting up on stage. Every week it's something I look forward to, you're sharing and conveying so much of who you are in such a real way. Like I said before, meeting new people, talking with them and being inspired by them really motivates me at every show.

Most of your songs are charged and emotional, what's your inspiration? Do you write them based on personal experiences? 

Yeah, I think it's always been the way i've approached my own songwriting. Inspiration can come from anywhere whether it be be a particular emotion, a particular circumstance or something that's directly affecting my walk in life. It's my catharsis, an outlet of expression in a lot of ways. Sometimes it's emotionally challenging, I mean there are a few songs i've been recording with my band that really get me worked up about things that have happened this past year. But a lot of times it's a moment of relief, when I can finally get it out of my system and share it with people.

How do you go about writing a song? Is it a process of developing a combination of chords and then writing lyrics or is it much more than that?

I couldn't say I have a process to be completely honest. I'm always writing, whether it's lyrics, harmony and melody are always in my head. I'm constantly working away at songs and changing things as I go. Sometimes I'll just sit quietly and ideas will form from chords or melody and i'll start to bring them together. But I really think the passion for always wanting to write and change things keeps me intrigued and curious about new areas to move towards. I've been writing in a load of different styles while recording and working with people at college. I think it's echoed into my songwriting today.

Like I said I don't think I ever force it, if there is something in my mind that I really want to express or let out in the form of a song i'll just sit and play around with different ideas I guess. A lot of times i'll find I need to stop and let things sink in a bit more then i'll come back to those ideas and see how I feel about them, I'm really self-critical of anything i'm doing.

Do you find that social media has played to your advantage in building support for what you do?

In a lot of ways it has done for sure. There are a lot of things we can do right in the development and support for up and coming artists in any field. Art has been and forever will be about expression and personal emotive creation. I've always felt so strongly about these kinds of things, mostly because of my upbringing and my attitude towards the beauty in people i've always been really terrified and ultimately steered away from complete exploitation within music like "Those programmes". Things like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are something we have created as an ether of instantaneous connection.

I am endlessly grateful and completely humbled by the support I have had through my years of doing this. I will always love and cherish the things that are said and the people who join me on the journey whether it's online or whatever else. But I never let it cloud my motivation or distract me from my love of music on a human level. I feel that in recent years a lot of people are willing to expose their lives completely in exchange for what is essentially a virtual following of complete strangers. I've never believed in that aspect of social media but I could sit for days and ramble about it. What's important to me and really the reason i'm doing what I do is for my complete and unconditional love for music, I'm so thankful for the support I have received over the years, it really does mean the world to me.

Finally, will you be releasing an EP or album any time soon?

I'm working on a new EP at the moment actually. Last month I announced i'd be recording it with some really good friends of mine, amazing session musicians I met over the past few years. It's been a lot of fun bringing the ideas together, this is my third studio EP. I had battled with the idea and process of releasing an album with a friends label last year but I ultimately decided to wait. It's a huge statement to make. I mean it will always be your first album. The bodies of work i've released so far have been small but i've recorded them in a paced and comfortable way. I never wanted to feel like I "had" to release anything. It's been really great producing music on my own accord and time. I can't wait to share the new music with everybody.


You can check out Sam online here 


Saturday, 26 July 2014

Talent For Writing...

So i got this in the post today! I entered a competition where i had to write a 100-word monologue based on an inspiration of mine, so i took the point of view of Hazel Grace (from The Fault in Our Stars) talking about Augustus Waters and here's the certificate to say it will be published in a book alongside many other monologues! :D


Tuesday, 22 July 2014

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Review: Andreas Moe's New EP: Ocean


Here is a review i did of an incredible artist and it gives me great pleasure to have written it to which i'm so grateful to have been told that the record label personally praised my work on what they believed to be such a great review!

Saturday, 12 July 2014

Album Review: 5 Seconds of Summer

There is something about the moment you buy a new album and hold it in your arms, taking in the fact that what lies behind that plastic casing is the sweet sound of euphoria and enjoyment to come. A moment of bliss and satisfaction, you rip open the casing and play the CD, taking in the sound of what's beguiling to the senses. An album that has held such desires close to my heart is the brand-new, self-titled album by none other than Australian pop/rock band, 5 Seconds of Summer.

A debut album, collating the hard work of 4 guys over 2 years, this is 5 seconds of summer's latest release to have caused frenzy on the web. Edgier than Michael's hair, 5SOS throw out rock tunes which will have you on your feet in moments, contrasting with soft ballads like 'Amnesia' and 'Never Be' which stretch the music genre to different heights. The general theme is that many of the songs are based on relationships that are, if not sweet, rebellious, also appealing to their fan base of teenage girls. It is clear in how every song sounds that this band has developed their own style, different to the perception that they are another 'One Direction'. This is far from the truth. Whilst they have a relevant pop sound, there is an ingrown rock style that's rivetingly clear in the vocals, particularly of guitarist, Michael Clifford. Then we have the talent in the fact they play instruments which is something that many rock bands hold dearly, traditionally as something which defines a rock band.

There is really nothing not to like about this album. If you feel in the mood to jump around there are songs like 'Don't Stop', a party hit through and through. What about 'English Love Affair'? Rocky, raunchy and rustic it's sure to have you strumming air guitar and air-drumming like an idiot without a care in the world in a fragment of a moment. But if you're not into that, there's tracks like 'Amnesia' which has a melancholic, doleful sound that at the same time has you lulled into a relaxed state of mind. 'Long Way Home', although more energetic has a slightly westernised sound that is entrancing, providing an unwinding and quieting feeling.

However this is a band, that many people choose to avoid, whether it be because their music taste is different or purely because the hysteria around the band, sourcing from teenage girls, causes them to distaste the attention the band receives. It's something i can't see to understand but is certainly a relevant reason why the appeal to 5SOS' music is not completely widespread. Despite this, i would definitely recommend this album because not only has it got the mainstream potential of pop songs but the rock sound engages a wider audience where those that would dislike bands such as 'One Direction', can turn to finding something such as this, bearable and very secretly, enjoyable and congenial.

'5 Seconds of Summer' is out now, available on iTunes and from local retailers

Book Review: The Mortal Instruments

Is it hot in here or is it just the heavenly fire?


What makes a book successful, in my opinion, is its ability to engage you in the text and make you feel emotionally compromised and utterly wrecked. Obviously feeling at a loss isn't the greatest feeling you could have and is by no means a way of defining happiness. But by feeling sadness from reading a book you also feel euphoria that cannot be put into words. But where am i going with this? No book is more worthy by this definition of success than City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare.

In this novel Clary, Jace, Simon, Alec and Isabelle face opposition from Clary's vindictive step-brother, Sebastian, who won't stop until he gets what he desires the most. The final instalment of The Mortal Instruments' series had me in tears even before the end of the book. As a last token to the characters it was obviously a book that's stood out for me, but Cassandra, when you think she can't write anything more disastrous and terrifying in the lives of the characters, builds tension on a phenomenal scale. Full of treachery, battles and moral judgement, there is never a dull moment, with action packed on every page. This is a book that is gripping through and through, one that i would sit reading, clutching my copy at 3am in the morning.

If you are a fan of dystopian literature then you will definitely enjoy this series. There is no doubt that if you have read the precursory 5 books, you will buy this novel because this is a series like no other, tantalising and unforgettable. I don't see how anyone, ANYONE would put down this copy and dismiss the unfolding interactions of such paramount characters. The best advice i could give is to head down to your local book store, library or closest internet source and get this book! But what if you haven't read the preceding novels? There is nothing more important to you now, in this moment, than to buy those books! I'm incredibly enthusiastic about it and of course this gives leads to bias, but on a personal level i say that this will have you fangirling harder than a directioner watching Niall's hip thrusts, and that's saying something!

The first 5 are available here for just over £10- now there's no reason you can't afford the series :P

Saturday, 5 July 2014

New Blog

Hey guys i've created a new blog which will be dedicated to my A2 media coursework and during the course of the year i'll be creating a trailer! But for the time being i'm beginning with the preliminary task of creating a teaser trailer so you can check out my progress here. Enjoy!

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Album Review: Ed Sheeran 'Multiply'

Emotive, lyrical and sensational


The British singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, has just released his second smash hit album 'Multiply: X' and it is no doubt one of the best pieces of music that will bless your ears. The album has already topped the Radio 1 album charts, doing so within the first week of release. Not only that, not just one, but several of the songs featured have made it into Radio 1's top 10 chart already; a phenomenal degree of success, Ed's rise to musical prosperity is by far only going up.

Now, there is more to this album than you might expect. Where his former debut album '+' promoted a sound of soft acoustics with the interjection of the 'rap' song, 'You Need Me I Don't Need You', Ed has upped his game not only touching on the characteristic sound of his acoustic brilliance but also creating songs such as 'rap', ballads and tracks that sound very much like a Bruno Mars jazz track.

But it's not just Ed's sound that has been further developed but also the way in which he has still been able to write upon his experiences and the evocative memories that bring deeper, more personal meanings to the songs. What makes Ed such a good singer is that he is able to take these feelings on board and express these emotions so passionately you hear them through how he sings. If i were to give you some examples, 'Afire Love' is a deeply poignant song, based on the passing of his grandfather. 'Don't' is based on Ed's ex-girlfriend who cheated on him by sleeping with his friend. I See Fire was written for 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' and whilst it seems to be a relaxing song sanctifying the Dwarfs, it is closer to being a passionate song of brotherhood and war...well what do you expect, it is The Hobbit after all. Then we have All Of The Stars; what can i say about this song. Literally words beseech me. This song is incredibly emotive and there is no one who could have sung it with the justice it deserves better than Ed himself.

So all i've written about in this review is about how good the album is. In fairness there will be people who may not like Ed's music, maybe because they aren't appealed by the rhythmic acoustic or as they purely don't like his voice. But if you are a fan of Ed and just really enjoy his music then this will definitely appeal to you! As quirky as his ginger hair Ed's album is definitely one i would recommend buying. The album is out now so why don't you head down to your local HMV or supermarket and pick up a copy? Better still at the click of a button you will receive it on iTunes!

Want the vinyl? What about some tops to go with that? Click here