Martin Wardley Exclusive first interview

The Folk singer-songwriter & poet Martin Wardley discusses his music, performing and what the rest of the year holds in an exclsuive interview with us at MarkMeets

Martin Wardley draws inspiration from the likes of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Bon Iver, as well as an eclectic mix of punk, folk, electronic and surf rock, to name a few.

After the singles ‘Resurrecting The Show’ and ‘Make This Count’, Folk singer-songwriter & poet Martin Wardley set to release the new album ‘Naked To The Elements’ with Thrice Times’ as the lead single. 

The project explores life in a pursuit of hope and positivity even in the darkest of times. This album is Martin Wardley’s honest and intimate reflection on tales of life, love, hope and loss, wrapped in his signature poetic style and folk compositions. 

A complete body of work that needs to be experienced as a whole, the album ‘Naked To The Elements’ is a somewhat conceptual collection of real-life stories, written against the backdrop of 2020’s chaotic events and shared struggles, but carrying a dominant theme of positivity. Martin Wardley shares an insight on his upcoming album ‘Naked To The Elements’ and a story that challenges people’s perception of death and loss in the lead single ‘Thrice Times’. 

We caught up with Martin Wardley to find out more… 

Hey Martin. How have you been? 

Hi, all good here thanks. It feels like we’re coming out of the other end of a cloud, starting to live a little and regaining some essential freedoms. It feels like a long 2 years and I’m feeling a little beaten up if I’m honest – but I equally feel ready and excited for whatever comes next. 

After the singles ‘Resurrecting The Show’ and ‘Make This Count’, it’s time for the third single ‘Thrice Times’. Tell us everything about your new single. 

Trice times is a tune about losing the fight for life. But it is about finding the positives and all that has been done and achieved in that life – both from the point of view of those leaving and those who are left. In short it is a celebration of life at the point it ceases to be. 

When I disappeared into the hills to write and arrange the album this tune didn’t exist and was born and developed over the 2 weekends I spent creating the album. If I’m being honest, it was as much about dealing with my own awareness of our mortality as it was the mortality of others. I then added the backing vocals and Ben Matravers did his thing. 

Why did you choose ‘Thrice Times’ as the lead single of the album? 

Interestingly I always struggle to know which tune to put out when I have a collection. Invariably I think a certain song is best and that rarely correlates with the views of others. I’ve therefore stopped trying to make the choice. Instead, I seek the views of others – some close, some in the business, some random. That said, Thrice times almost chose itself due to the tempo being different from the previous two releases and the need to release something a little different. Once the decision was made there are some very close to me who think this may be my best song. Who knew!?

We really liked the music video. What’s the story behind it? 

I always wanted to do the video near the sea. Without it being too literal the chorus is about “drinking up the ocean”. That said I was never sure where. At the time we were filming both the Videographer and I were struggling to find a time to meet and thus finding somewhere further afield would have proved difficult. We therefore stayed close to home and chose the beach at St Annes, south of Blackpool. I’m not sure either was convinced of the location but as we started to film and view the footage it became clear it would work. We’re both pleased with the outcome. 

Can you tell us what‘Naked To The Elements’ will entail? 

The album will include the previous 2 singles, “Thrice times” and 7 other tracks. All tunes were written and arranged in 2 sessions in a small, converted farm building deep in a Cumbrian Vale during 2019/20. They were then produced by Ben Matravers in Leeds. Ben and I met while producing a co-write with another artist. Restrictions were in place at that point which also meant me recording the vocals in my home studio – with guidance. 

We tried to keep the whole feel of the album low key with more than a hint of folk but wanted to add surprises and keep the whole thing fresh. I also wanted a little variety from guitars to beats, different tempos, with sparse and full orchestration. 

At the time we started production both Ben and I were listening to Folklore by Taylor Swift and both loved the production on the album. There is more than a nod to that. Hopefully Taylor will “nod” back with her next low-key output… 

When did you start writing music and performing? 

I started performing around the age of 7 while at school but probably didn’t start writing until into my teens when I bought my first guitar. That then progressed and developed as I worked my way through education. I joined my first band following my move to London. I have written ever since and performed sporadically and when I can. 

How would you describe your music style? 

I really don’t know the answer to that – I acknowledge that’s not the answer you want. And not an answer that particularly helps me. It has been described as Folk, Indie, Pop and on the occasion I’ve had a full band it has been described as Rock. Sounds-like a range of Tom Waits to Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave to Mark Lanegan. Does that help? Maybe not but I’d like to know your thoughts. My music is the output of a very eclectic input. Again, I’m aware that doesn’t help!

Which artists are you listening to right now? 

Along with the aforementioned Taylor Swift album I find myself drifting back in time and trawling through genres not previously investigated. Drifting back in time finds me in the 70s and listening to some of the singer/songwriters of that era – Carole King, Sly Stone, Neil Young . The new genre is Jazz. I know nothing about this at all but there are some quite brilliant playlists out there. I will get back to searching for something more contemporary but this, for now at least, fits the bill. 

What does the rest of 2021 hold for you? 

We appear to be rapidly running out of 2021 but aside from the release of the album I will be spending time outdoors, continuing to release my weekly poetry – Words on Wednesday – and starting to pull together a set to rehearse in readiness for gigging… 

Any plans to gig in the near future? 

Not at the moment but I do want to start again next year so as I said, I’ll pull together a set of material spanning my catalogue and think about what that might need in terms of collaborators. I’ll then start reaching out and rehearsing. It’s a very exciting prospect. 

Martin thanks for the interview. 

Many thanks for the opportunity, It’s been a pleasure. Take care and all the very best! Martin

Watch the music video for ‘Thrice Times’ HERE: 

A complete body of work that needs to be experienced as a whole, the album ‘Naked To The Elements’ is a somewhat conceptual collection of real-life stories, written against the backdrop of 2020’s chaotic events and shared struggles, but carrying a dominant theme of positivity. Martin Wardley shares insight on his upcoming album ‘Naked To The Elements’ and a story that challenges people’s perception of death and loss in the lead single ‘Thrice Times’.

Album tracklisting:

Tracklisting.

1: RESURRECTING THE SHOW

2: BEAUTIFUL LOST AFTERNOON

3: MAKE THIS COUNT

4. ON BROKEN GLASS

5. OUT BEYOND THE STARS 6: SHE WALKS ALONE

7: THRICE TIMES

8: DIAMONDS

9: NO DOUBT

10: NO ONE WATCHING