Andy Martin is an Australian indie-rock musician that is currently making waves with his latest single ‘Heat Of It All’, which is now accompanied by an official music video. The single premiered via the renowned CLOUT Magazine. Andy only began his solo career at the beginning of 2020, and has already seen a flood of support from radio station Triple J as well stream rate spiking over 80 000 streams with his previous singles.
Andy adds his thoughts on his latest single release, “Most of the songs I write come together in a matter of hours. ‘Heat of it All’ was not one of those. I actually wrote the hook/chorus for this around 3/4 years ago. I had been playing around with progressions and some of the verse lyrics. That is why I am so proud of this song. It shows how I have evolved as a songwriter of the last few years. If you want to dance, cry, laugh or hold somebody, this ones for you (so everyone!).”
Inspired by a varied range of musicians, including Sam Fender, John Mayer and beloved Australian musician Gretta Ray. Andy provides similar invigorating energy like his inspirations in the new single.
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.
Carrying the torch from where melodic rock bands like Journey, Def Leppard, Styx and Heart left off, Toronto’s Walker’s Cay ushers those classic influences into the 21st Century with two new tracks. On April 10th, 2020, the four-man band featuring Gold and Platinum-status lead vocalist Gary LaBarr, guitarist Mike Swain, bassist Tim Morrissey, and drummer Dave Pistilli will release “Tell Me” and “Why Oh Why” (MTS Records.)
“These guys are right in my wheelhouse,” said Michael Stover of MTS. “Those classic tunes with the big vocals, powerful drums, screaming guitars…that’s what I grew up with. So, to be working with a talented band like Walker’s Cay makes total sense for us. They are taking the best parts of the past and bringing them forward in their own style. 2020 is going to be huge for Walker’s Cay!”
Walker’s Cay gets its name from an “out island” in the Bahamas. It was visited by Gary LaBarr, (a private pilot), and some friends back in the late 1990’s. Not only did this beautiful island stand out in Gary’s mind throughout his life, but the name of “Walker’s Cay” did as well. Gary LaBarr has gold and platinum record status for his work in various original band projects, working as a musician, producer, and arranger. Mike Swain is considered to be the “technical wizard” for the band, due to his 30-plus years as a licensed control technician at a nuclear power plant. Mike is also a professional recording engineer, specializing in the Pro-Tools recording platform. Tim Morrissey comes to Walker’s Cay with quite the resume as a professional bass player and recording artist. He is a “gear geek” in regards to his intense interest in achieving that “perfect” bass sound. With a rock/jazz style type of percussive education, David “Dave” Pistilli lays down the tasty “back-beat” that Walker’s Cay is known for.
Jamila & The Other Heroes, a psychedelic, funk-rock group released their new album Sit El Kon (The Grandmother of the Universe) via SPRINGSTOFFon the 31st of January 2020.
The entire group is based in Berlin but all have varied backgrounds and ethnicities such as Middle Eastern, Latin American and Eastern European. The group is based on the belief that anyone can be a hero hence the use of the word Heroes in the band name.
Jamila Al-Yousef, the vocalist of the group studied politics, history with a particular focus on the Middle East. Besides their music, the band is advocates for the empowerment of women of colour in the music industry through their music. Their music combines the English and the Arab language.
The group elaborates on the new album, “SIT EL KON is dedicated to the many unheard voices of our strong and funny grandmothers whose sacrifices paved the ground for our freedom today. A freedom that makes us feel lost sometimes. A freedom that shall not be selfish but in which we can expand an attitude of solidarity and unconditional love. We wish to take our listeners on a furious journey through unconscious galaxies which unite us with the experiences and spirits of our ancestors that continue to exist on this planet in the here and now. May our grandmothers be playing Backgammon and drinking Araq together while protecting us from outer space.”
