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Todd Martin

Written by Bruce Moore

With the release of his newest CD ‘Time For Good’, singer/songwriter Todd Martin is taking his one man show on the road. I recently spoke with Todd in between shows about his songwriting process and his live performance.

When you write music do the words or melodies come first to you?

Usually I like to take a phrase and fit it with a melody at the same time but I don’t write all the words first. Some people write poetry and then find a melody to fit it to. I usually come up with a line I want to include and write a melody to it which usually inspires another line and then the rest of the song.

Along those same lines what benchmarks do you use to determine if a song is finished?

I have an interesting process…I am a tech head, I use a lot of effects on to loop and manipulate sound on stage and in the studio. I usually work with a Dictaphone and record the melody then revisit it in a day or two. Then if I still like it in a day or so I play it live to kind of test it out. I don’t have a real gauge to say that a song is complete I just have to test it out and see for sure.

Are there any tracks on your new CD that have good stories behind them or are personal favorites?

Yeah, 'Time for Good' is probably my favorite track. Mainly because it was kind of an experimental writing process that was different than the rest; I wrote it in the studio. The song does not really have pop structure or the classic song structure at all it kind of changes halfway through the song and moves into a different format, it is kind of weird because it is placed toward the end of the CD but the tracks are not placed by favorites.

What inspires you when you write?

A lot of times it starts with something personal or something near me that affects me. Maybe just talking with a friend about something they are dealing with, you know, a relationship or event or something like that. That usually is where a lot of the inspiration comes from.

Who were your influences when you were learning how to play?

When I was first learning guitar defiantly the strongest influence for me was Dave Mathews. I don’t think I write like him or even play like him but when I was first learning how to play the guitar he affected my desire to play. Who I am influenced by songwriting wise I really think someone like David Gray, I really like the Counting Crows and I see a lot of that in my writing style and of course my favorite is Ryan Adams. I think he really influences me by way of changing the way I think of songwriting in general.

How has Myspace changed the way you interact with your fan base?

That’s a really cool medium of getting music out there. I think maybe ten years ago…hell like five years ago it was unheard of for someone in California who started playing guitar a few months ago to have a song heard by someone in say Philadelphia. It is so easy now, I mean someone could record a song on their home computer and throw it on MY Space and people all over the world could be listening to it. I think it is awesome.

I know it has been successful for a lot of people, has it worked out for you?

Yeah it defiantly helps out a lot. I mean it soaks up a lot of my time but the concept is awesome. It could be streamlined a bit more but it is amazing how it has taken on a sort of musical life. I have a ridiculous amount friends in the friends category and I can’t say I know each one of them personally but at least I look to see what their about and check and see what their all about before I add them as friends. This is also why I have a description in my bio where I say ‘Hey listen bands, it’s all right if you send me your music but don’t just add me as a friend so I will add you to mine and download your music?

How do you think your live performances are different than your CDs?

I think a lot of songs have grown since I have recorded them I perform solo as well so if you hear a full band track it is going to be different right from the start. I do use loop samplers do live recording as I go along so as I am going along I will record a guitar part and then play it back somewhere else in the song while I am rolling along to a different part. A lot of people do it with guitar; I do it with both vocals and guitar.
I use it a lot to bring more dynamics to my live performance. For a while I was playing with another person and I miss having the harmonies from that other person there. So I feel this way it brings another level to my performances.

What was the most memorable moment of your career so far?

I think I kind of have to sum up a few. I think a friend or fan response means the most to me as a performer. Seeing someone come out for a second time knowing they liked the show so much they were willing to come back. Of all the places I’ve played that is what sticks out the most. The response of the people is what I will never forget. If I stopped playing today I would always remember the people who have come back to see me. It is very rewarding I guess being appreciated is the summation of all of that.

What Message if any do you want your fans to walk away with after hearing your record?

I am not sure I have a blanket message. I really just enjoy expressing myself and toying around with different stories. Classic songwriters out there do it a million times better than I do but I think growth is the thing you will see the most in my catalog. All I am really trying to do is get a feeling across and it could be different form song to song. I am not really trying to change the world.

What is next for Todd Martin?

My record has been selected by a national promoting group and my record has gone out to hundreds of radio stations. Next for me should be some radio play and then I am recording another album in September and then touring.

For more information check out the Official Website at http://www.toddmartinmusic.com

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