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‘A musical mind that knows exactly what it wants to say, and how to say it.’ - Edward Cowie
MAT MARTIN has earnt a reputation both in the UK and on the European mainland as an understated and sensitive accompanist through his work both live and in the studio. He has made many guest appearances alongside artists including Karine Polwart, Boo Hewerdine and The Brute Chorus, and his subtle and gentle playing style became established on the scene through being a core element of Kirsty McGee‘s distinctive sound (example above). His adoption of unusual instruments, such as tenor guitar, fretless banjo and cigar box reflects his interest in experimenting with sounds and textures in accompaniment.
Recently he has been playing full-time with Joanna Chapman-Smith, developing further his approach to experimental accompaniment. As a producer he has worked recently on Kirsty McGee & The Hobopop Collective’s two 2010 releases (the live album No.5 and the single Wife) (Hobopop Recordings) and on Quiet Loner‘s Spectrology album (Little Red Rabbit, 2010). He is currently working as co-producer on Chapman-Smith’s forthcoming album Love Me Deeply, due for a 2012 release.
In 2010 recordings produced by and featuring the playing of Mat Martin were awarded four-star reviews in national publications such as Q (Kirsty McGee), Uncut and the Daily Mirror (Quiet Loner). In 2011 Kirsty McGee’s ‘No.5′ album (Martin produced and played Banjo & Tenor Guitar) won the 10th annual Independent Music Vox Pop Award for ‘Best Live Performance Album’.
Mat is also a composer of experimental music, having had pieces performed internationally, including at the London Jazz Festival in 2008. Performers have included Pete Wareham (Acoustic Ladyland) and Fyfe Hutchins / Christopher Cundy (Guillemots) He was included in Sound & Music’s shortlist of emerging composers from 2007 to 2010 for his guitar quartet Shadow Musics.
Mat’s Small Clawhammer Banjo Book was published by Flatpack Music early in 2011, and he is an official endorsee of Deering Banjos of California. He is interested in hearing about projects requiring players and producers.
‘Mat’s playing is as incisive as it is insightful.’ - James Steel, The Brute Chorus
‘Perfect understatement.’ - Karine Polwart
‘Lovely playing.’ - Ralph McTell
‘Pure, uninhibited and playful musicality.’ - Kirsty McGee
UK contact – Mat Martin - email | +44(0)7880607043
Canada & North America contact – Katheryn Petersen – email
