Music Q&A:
Joe Martin

What informs your music and songwriting?
I’d say the stories people come out with, whether good, bad or crazy, as well as my own experiences.

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
I have developed long-range sight, as well as half an octave range in my voice.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I’m still figuring things out, in a sense. I feel I have a strong set of original songs, but maybe not enough to record a cohesive album. Or an album with a thread r theme. I’m working on it though.

What’s it like to operate in the music industry today?
Difficult! Pretty much every role a label would take on for an emerging artist back in the day, the artist has to deal with themselves now – everything from branding to landing their own gigs to promotion. There’s a lot more involved in being an artist today. Myself as well as others wish it were as easy as stepping on a stage and singing, but there’s so much more to it.

What’s on your rider?
Depends how fancy the venue is. If it were a small pub, maybe a few beers. If it were the O2, I’d ask for champagne on ice, with a straw.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
I’d say the most surreal experience was being pulled over by the cops within my first hour of driving in the States. Because I was nervous I just automatically started speaking the Queen’s English to the cop and he didn’t know what to do and told me to carry on and drive safe.

What song do you wish you’d written?
That’s a tough one because there are so many! I’d say American Pie by Don Mclean, just because everyone joins in with that song, every time.

What’s your worst lyric?
“I’m dreaming of going to California, so I guess that means I’m California dreaming.”Tthought I was being clever making a reference to the Mamas and Papas but looking at it now it ain’t good!

Joe Martin plays the Engine Room Sessions at Clitheroe’s Bowland Brewery, 1 June, Manchester’s Castle Hotel, 9 June and more. For full live dates visit joemartinmusic.com