Interview with Ian Martin


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.

Q: You've worked with numerous guest musicians on your latest album. Please tell me why you've ended up with such a large number of guest musicians, this doesn't happen very often with independent releases.

Ian Martin: I didn't plan to have so many different guests on this project, but it just worked out that way. Some of those choices were made for me, logistically speaking, but most were conscious decisions because I knew what that person brought to a song. For example, I couldn't imagine anyone other that Gavin Christopher on "Brother", or Jill Zadeh on "You Are" US Version. I would think that most artists don't have as many guests because in most cases, the artist is usually the singer or the lead instrument. Additionally, how many times have you listened to a CD and by the 7th track, you're tired of listening to the same thing? With my CD, that doesn't happen (at least I hope it doesn't!) because of so many great singers on one CD. My CD's are like mini compilations!

Q: Which of the songs on The Way is your favorite and why?

Ian Martin: I can't pick a favorite; it's like picking a favorite child! No seriously, I like different songs for different reasons. "Let Me Give You More", comes to mind now because it documents my growth poignantly. I wrote it about 10 years ago, but I didn't have the maturity, or life experience to produce it. I needed to personally grow to convey what that song could be. When I listen to this recording by comparing it to what I wrote those years ago, I see things have been moving in the right direction.

Q: Do you plan to produce anyone of your guest musicians?

Ian Martin: I'll be working with Kes Stanton, Jason Joseph for their projects. I would love to write/produce with Sy Smith; I think she's incredibly gifted.

Q: Please tell me how you've teamed up with Expansion who released your album in the UK.

Ian Martin: I teamed up with Expansion through a DJ in Amsterdam, Andreas Hellingh. I have to give Andreas a lot of credit and thanks because if it wasn't for him, I don't think there would have been a second follow up to "One". Andreas contacted me through "MP3.com" back in 2000, and he did a lot to promote that CD. Expansion wanted to release "One", but I turned them down. However this time, I thought that building a relationship with Expansion could he a good thing, so here we are.
I look back now and can't believe how things have changed. I had no plans to ever do a follow up, but now I can't ever see myself not recording.

Q: The funny thing in your bio for me was the part when you mentioned that you wanted to go to culinary school to open a dessert store in the Bahamas with your aunt. Were you really serious about that?

Ian Martin: Serious as a heart attack! By the time I was 18, I had sold everything from water purifiers to real estate. My parents were concerned with my drifting and feared that I wouldn't settle into anything. They weren't exactly thrilled about music, but they knew it was the 1 constant when everything else was changing. Plus they would support music only if I got a degree so I could teach. I've always said, that if I could get into another line of work, it would be in food. I love good food.

Q: You've shared the stage with many musicians so far like Amel Larrieux, Roy Ayers, Will Downing, Angela Bofill, Jean Carne, Julie Dexter, Maxwell, En Vogue but also with pop acts like Taylor Dane or Barry Manilow. Which of these musicians had influenced you as musician and/or human being?

Ian Martin: Barry has greatly influenced me musically. He is a gifted songwriter/producer, and there are few artist who can put a show together better than he can. He knows how to take his audience on a journey, and pays attention to the smallest detail. He really is the consummate showman. I once asked him how he approaches crafting a song, he simply said, "clarity". He's an original.

Q: Level 42 and their album A Physical Presence were very crucial for you and your musical career. Who keeps influencing you today?

Ian Martin: I keep my ears open to everything. I like everything from "Esthero", to "Israel and New Breed". I've been checking out a lot of independent and music from all over the world. I hardly listen to commercial radio; it's rarely creative enough for my taste.

Q: What can we expect from Ian Martin in the future?

Ian Martin: I'd like to write and produce with other artists/singers. Also get into writing for movies. As far as solo projects are concerned, you can always expect honesty. I will always make music that comes from my heart.

For more infos visit ianmartinmusic.com, cdbaby.com and read my review of The Way.