Recently, I was lucky enough to interview neo soul artist Martin Luther. I wasn’t too familiar with his music besides a song I heard & saw the music video for one day on VH1 Soul titled “Daily Bread”. A friend of mine asked me “Hey! Do you want to interview Martin Luther?” and I said “Sure!” – so then I began to do my research. Man… have I been missing out! I’m a total 100% Martin Luther fan now. Not because I did the interview, but because of the music he makes. I’m so in love with it. Martin’s music is so mellow and soulful – the type I can vibe to. His voice is soothing, it just makes you melt.
“My music is just soul music, but I attach “rebel” to it because my music is revolutionary. I want you to evolve from your day-to-day thinking that most music being played on the radio doesn’t encourage or inspire you to do. Therefore my music has some sort of rebellious attitude about it.” – Martin Luther
Being a San Francisco native, are you excited to be back in the bay area?
I’m always in San Francisco even when I live in other cities. I have too much family and professional business happening in the City to ever be gone so I’m excited to be here just as
much as I’m excited to have places to go. Work is slower here for me than other places
but I get to be at home enough to keep things together.
When will you be releasing your next album? Any special features/producers you got to work with?
I plan on releasing the new album ‘Love Is The Hero’ this summer of 2010.
I never look to feature other artists other than friends and Rebel Soul Family
so there are no features from outsiders but the late/great Dewey Tucker recorded
with me as well as a short list of remarkably talented folks like D’eantoi Parks
Steve Wyreman. i keep the bay alive in my music and I also honor the contributions
of folks beyond our borders. I make music the best way I know how…we go into a room
and turn on the record button and let the magic happen.
When did you first fall in love with music?
I have been singing since birth. There has always been music from the church to the gospel of the streets. We are one.
I feel in love with the guitar in the 80s and started to play in the early 90′s.
Funkadelic and Prince and Van Halen had a lot to do with it. Later it became all about Hendrix and before him, Albert King and before…..I am before.
What & who inspires you to keep going and making music?
Life is my main source of inspiration. I don’t watch cable so much and I do enjoy hanging out relaxing with good people in my neighborhood and or choppin it up with good friends and loved ones. I get inspiration from all of these places and many more so as long as life produces moments, I’ll continue to be inspired. I don’t write happy uplifting music only. I write from all sides..from the jealous or covetous angle..from the I’m going to get even angle.. from the sexually provocative space..to a random acts of kindness space.. I don’t have a border on subject matter so there is always something to write about or chronicle.
Good bad or ugly, I’m somewhere with a pen and pad…or a cell phone with an audio application.
Do you see yourself doing anything other than music? Such as acting and whatnot?
I act. I have appeared in small films to major motion pictures and TV Shows. I will continue as long as there is a place for me on the set. I want to start a health culture shopturant… a headquarters for self rejuvenation and daily nourishment of the mind body and soul.
Out of all of your songs, which one is your favorite?
No favorite songs. My songs are prayers. No one prayer is more important than another. They are my life’s work and I have been blessed, thanks to the fans, to still have a career and I’m still being discovered everyday by new people so things are cool. It gives me fuel to keep on going.
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Wow- some very exciting things coming up for Martin. I can’t wait to hear! Also, check out www.rebelsoulmusic.com -also his website, with music, pictures, info, and much more.
