STATESIDE SENSATION
Winning over audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, singer songwriter Joe Martin from Chipping has just released his first solo EP
Fresh from a whirlwind trip to music city Nashville, Tennessee, the Ribble Valley’s Joe Martin has just released his debut EP ‘Small World’, affirming him as the one to watch in the blossoming Country and Americana UK music scene.
Before releasing his debut solo EP at Nashville’s world renowned Bluebird Cafe, Martin said: “You never know who’s going to be in the audience at the Bluebird, there may be just locals out to hear some live music and have a few drinks, or someone that could change your life. The Bluebird is in such high demand as a venue because it claims to be the place where artists like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were discovered. I’m not trying to think about that too much. I just want to play a good show.”
With the release of ‘Small World’ Martin is set to win over audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with his Americana/country-tinged five track EP. The effortlessly organic work encompasses the perfect mixture of fact and fiction from Joe’s own experiences of west-coast America: “My first trip to Nashville was incredibly inspiring and eye opening. It gave me clarity on bringing this EP together, the theme and how I was going to go about it. The title ‘Small World’ kept coming into my mind after having loads of random encounters with people who had mutual friends.”
The EP was recorded over two days at Eve Studios in Manchester as Martin explains: “It was a lot of fun because everything was really spontaneous and had a lot of energy. You couldn’t get too hung up on any little imperfections either, you had a time frame and you had to stick to it. I think that way of recording lends itself to the song and captures the emotion in the performance too as they are story songs.”
Martin has also recently recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium Studio which, over the years, has hosted country music royalty from the likes of Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and more recently the cast of America’s hit TV show Nashville – a show that coaxed him down the country route.
“Nashville feels like the place where your life could change in a week, the music industry is a very volatile business but that feels magnified there,” says the musician who also visited Muscle Shoals where he unexpectedly met with one of his idols John Paul White: “We had a long chat and I told him how he’s pretty much the reason why I started writing songs. I asked if I could play them a song and he handed me his 1950’s Martin (guitar) that has featured on mostly every recording he’s made. That was a pretty special moment – don’t think I’ll ever forget that!”
The rapid rise of Martin has also caught the attention of BBC2 country music talisman Bob Harris, who spun his song ‘The You You’re Gonna Be’, written in collaboration with Luke Yates and Kailey Swanson. Martin, with his band, has previously supported country duos The Shires and Ward Thomas as part of their UK tours. With appearances at Country to Country, The Great British Folk Festival, High and Lonesome Festival and Underneath the Stars Festival, it’s clear to see why the UK should claim ownership over the future country music icon before the Americans pinch him for themselves.
A former student at Leeds College of Music, Joe is no stranger to the world of entertainment – his dad is Phil Martin (better known as Phil Cool). Joe who lives in Chipping, began singing at the tender age of five and playing guitar when he was just 12.
With ‘Small World’ Martin allows his warm vocals and honest lyrics to shine, becoming the focal point of his artistry and song writing. Adding double bass and pedal steel guitar to create a subtle, yet welcomed sonic soundscape, the songsmith weaves waves of warmth and melancholy to craft his unique blend of poetic and musical imagery. ‘Small World’ is bound to strike the right chord with listeners both at home and stateside.
‘Small World’ is also being released as a PAYF (pay as you feel) through Joe’s bandcamp page, where fans can download the EP for free or make a small donation. ‘Small World’ will also be available to download or stream from all other online music platforms.
Joe Martin will play a selection of dates throughout the UK in May and June with UK country folk favourites Lisbee Stainton and Emma Stevens.
www.joemartinmusic.com
Watch the video on Youtube for the captivating ‘Silent Vow’ taken from ‘Small World’
