Ian Martin has recently released his stunning album The Way. Although it follows the album One, Ian really considers The Way as his first solo project, because the spirit behind it was to make a CD, as he tells us in the jazz-not-jazz interview. If you want to know more about Ian, his new homeland USA and what he likes about Barry Manilow then continue on reading.
Q: The Way is your second solo album. Please tell me what’s different between this one and your debut, “One”. Also, where do you see your progress as a musician?
Ian Martin: The main difference is intent. “One” was never meant to be a formal CD release, and “The Way” was. “One” is a collection of student demos that I had originally intended to use to showcase my songwriting and overall musicality. But because of such positive responses from friends who heard it, I compiled them, and started to sell them to cover costs of putting it together. I really consider “The Way” as my first solo project, because the spirit behind it was to make a CD. When I listen back to “One” now, I can see just how far I’ve come.
As far as my musical progress, I see it all areas, producing, writing, and performing. And I think a lot of that is from just being more mature. I now have more life to share in my music-without putting your “life” in your music, its just notes. I also feel that I’m now comfortably finding my own voice as an artist. I’m less concerned with trying to categorize or, “fit in” musically. When producing my own projects, I write from my heart, and that’s very liberating. I also find that as I change and grow, the music is starting to change too. I have a strong feeling that the next album will be quite different than both “One” and “The Way”. I’m learning more now than I ever have, and I get excited because the music that’s coming out of me is better than I thought it ever could be!
Q: You were born and raised in Canada, studied at the Berklee College of Music and are now living in LA. What are the differences between the USA and Canada? Making comparisons, what do you and don’t you like?
Ian Martin: Wow, there are so many! I love the US for the opportunities that it offers, there are very few places on the planet that can allow someone to make a better life for themselves in almost anyway they see fit, if they work hard. Now of course, America is not nearly perfect, but you are free to pursue your dreams.
What I love most about Canada is the cosmopolitan flair that the country has. Generally people are more open-minded and are less dogmatic about their particular views. Social attitudes are so different than by comparison to America.
Musically, there’s a lot more to choose from in the US. However the irony is that only a small percentage gets supported in the mainstream, so you have to search it out. Radio isn’t very friendly to independents and people trying to do something innovative. I find it so interesting that even though the countries are attached, they are so different.
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