In conversation with rising indie-rock singer Andy Martin

Image credit: Ali Rasoul – Animal House Reference

Inspired by the likes of John Mayer and Sam Fender to name a few, rising musical prodigy Andy Martin has just shared his latest single ‘Heat Of It All’. The single premiered via the acclaimed CLOUT Magazine and was recorded at the renowned Airlock Studios owned by rocker Ian Haug (Powderfinger and The Church). Born in Australia, Andy is currently based in Brisbane where he is working on his debut EP via Arts Queensland. His previous single releases have received a jaw-dropping stream count of over 80 000 on Spotify alone.

We find out what makes Martin tick in this exclusive.

Were there specific artists that inspired you when you were working on the chord progressions for your new release?

In regards to the actual chord progressions… I don’t think any artists directly influence my movements of chords. I am definitely influenced by the sounds and melodies of other artists, but in regards to chord progressions I kind of write the chords around the melodies in the voice and instruments that I hear in my head. Sometimes it’s just natural, sometimes there’s a longer thought process that goes into it, but all of the time it is something that reflects/highlights the melodies.

Describe the experience of recording your latest release at Ian Haug’s studio.

I have recorded all of my upcoming tracks out Airlock and the experience is surreal. Not only is the facility state of the art and gear out of this world, but the history embedded in the studio is amazing. Every time I go out there, I see another piece of amazing musical history that has come out of Airlock. To see the artists that have recorded out there and the amazing musical memorabilia on display is just surreal and inspiring in itself. I have been recording with James See and him and I seem to have forged quite a formidable relationship and the process is just getting better and better. I plan to record future releases out at Airlock also.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?

Indie Rock, with a touch of Pop!

Which three albums have influenced you the most creatively?

This one might surprise some people. A lot of the time it is in fact folk/singer-songwriter music that inspires my songwriting. Here are three albums that got the creative juices flowing for my EP. Over the last few years, it has been.

Ben Howard – “I Forget Where We Were”

Sam Fender – “Hypersonic Missles”

John Mayer – “Born & Raised”

Describe the experience of recording your latest release at Ian Haug’s studio.

I have recorded all of my upcoming tracks out of Airlock and the experience is surreal. Not only is the facility state of the art and gear out of this world, but the history embedded in the studio is amazing. Every time I go out there, I see another piece of amazing musical history that has come out of Airlock. To see the artists that have recorded out there and the amazing musical memorabilia on display is just surreal and inspiring in itself. I have been recording with James See, and he and I seem to have forged quite a formidable relationship and the process is just getting better and better. I plan to record future releases out at Airlock also.

Tell us about the key pieces of equipment that you use to define your sound?

Firstly, brass instruments. In every single track on the upcoming EP, I am playing either Trumpet/s or Flugelhorn. This really, well to me, fills out the sound of the chords and adds a touch of sweetness/brightness to the tracks. If you listen hard enough, in most parts of the tracks, you will be able to hear the horns.

Also, the pedals I use/sounds I try and get out of the guitars to add variety to the song. A lot of the time on the upcoming tracks, I am playing multiple guitars with sounds that you wouldn’t expect to work together. Whether it be a tube screamer/chorus/hall reverb combo on one guitar (on the bridge pickup) and then an Overdrive/Delay/Tremelo combo on another guitar (on the neck pickup)… I believe the sounds that are coming out are familiar to the listener, but interesting. I love playing around with different sounds because sometimes it can just add

another element to the music.

Were there specific artists that inspired you when you were working on the chord progressions for your new release?

In regards to the actual chord progressions… I don’t think any artists directly influence my movements of chords. I am definitely influenced by the sounds and melodies of other artists. But in regards to chord progressions, I kind of write the chords around the melodies in the voice and instruments that I hear in my head. Sometimes it’s just natural, sometimes there’s a longer thought process that goes into it, but all of the time it is something that reflects/highlights the melodies.

Is there any “non-musical” ingredient that is essential to crafting your sound?

Inspiration. I never stop getting inspired… I think that is the key ingredient. I listen to a lot of folk music, pop, jazz, fusion, rock, punk, electronic music…. just a whole lot of everything and I appreciate and love them all for so many different reasons. I only hope the listener/creatives will get inspired by my music as I do theirs.

Studio work and music creation, or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

BOTH! In the studio, as I am working on my own with a producer, it means that I have all creative licensing to try out weird and wonderful sounds, which sometimes stems new ideas to get the wheels in motion.

But… and I think (well I’d hope) this would be the same answer for many artists, but nothing beats playing live on stage, interacting with the audience and just genuinely having a good time. Sometimes you can go to a free gig and have one of the most amazing experiences of your life… you can’t get that out of many (if any) industries in the world. I love music and feel a sense of pride and love performing it to people. That’s why COVID has been so hard on so many artists.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?

Playing a headline shows to a max capacity venue (around 350 people) without even having any music released. That was pretty special.

This was after 3 straight days in a studio and all of us were knackered… but this really capped the recording.

To see that many people at your own personal gig, without any music out in the world, is something that I believe is pretty special.

And which performance would you prefer to forget?

Once we played a gig down the Gold Coast and our guitarist’s amp wasn’t working.

We played out first song (which ended up being more of a stripped down version of the song) and then had to stop to sort it out. Half an hour later, with nearly half the crowd leaving the show, it was because the amp wasn’t switched on. The gig was fine from there on and you’re never gonna have the ‘perfect’ set, but I remember that gig vividly.

Any new or emerging artists on your radar?

Hope D & Sycco out of Brisbane… definitely check them both out. I can’t wait to see what’s next for these two because their latest singles have been on repeat every day for me.

Also, High Tropics from up the Sunshine Coast. Their new tracks rock and I have been listening to ‘Wait For You’ since the day it came out and still can’t stop listening!!

If you could collaborate with, or perform alongside any artist, who would it be? And why?

John Mayer. Since I was about 10/11 he has been my favourite musician.

I am in awe of his songwriting, phrasing, and melodic structure. Every album of his has resonated with me for different reasons and I genuinely don’t think I would’ve picked up a guitar in the first place if it wasn’t for him.

To sit down and pick his brain about music and life would be amazing. To collaborate would be even better. To perform alongside would just be surreal.

If you weren’t a musician what would you be?

Cafe Owner. I love the hospitality industry and always have. I would love to run my own cafe if this whole music thing doesn’t work out.

However, I am so stubborn and have always known in my head, from a very young age, that I would do great things and it is amazing that the pieces of the puzzle are finally falling into place!

Tell us about any upcoming shows or releases you have in the pipeline. I have an EP out in November of this year and am planning shows around this. I have been working hard in the studio and can’t wait to share this music with the world.

In regards to live shows, I haven’t announced anything at this stage but there are definitely bookings in place. With COVID-19 it has taken a toll on venues and artists so I just feel blessed that venues are showing interest in having me perform at their venues in these tough times.