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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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