Le Cheile 2004

Richard Martin

With few alternatives at hand today, taking the independent route in the current music industry is often a difficult and constantly uphill battle. Dublin based musician Richard Martin began his career scouting Dublin's notorious music landscape in an effort to see how others achieved success in an industry that was feeling the blows of a virtual revolution, and the domino effect of a manufactured pop takeover.

He drew inspiration from the likes of Damien Rice and the late Mic Christopher, burgeoning talents beginning to make their mark at that time as solo artists. Richard decided to follow suit, and began to get a backing band together, and a well planned promotional campaign under way to launch his debut EP "Late Night Songs". The result was a modest success. One that Richard has improved upon with his latest release, the ambitious follow up "Don't Take Your Eyes / Holding On". Richard credits his skillful backing musicians with helping him to refine and create his specific sound; an element so necessary to any solo musician launching themselves into an already saturated market of singer/songwriters.

Richard admires the craft of artists such as Ryan Adams and Paddy Casey, and their ability to make music suitable for rock, folk, pop and indie fans alike. The tracks chosen for this release have been favoured over others to give the listener a more complete picture of what Richard Martin's music is all about. Form the pure pop, radio friendly tone of "Don't Take Your Eyes" to the soulful, huge sound of "Holding On", Richard Martin's latest offering should hopefully leave you feeling pleased, moved and, most importantly, waiting for more.

Richard released this cd with a packed out launch gig in Whelans, Wexford Street on April 7th, and enters the singer songwriter fray "in impressive form, making more thatn a passing impression with this cd" (Hot Press). With the gig bringing in a large crowd, and getting hotly tipped by Dave Fanning and Tom Dunne as one to watch, Richard has been promoting the release with notable supports over the summer months including The Chapters (April 23rd), Franklin (May 24th), Albert Niland (July 12th), Mickey Harte (August 7th) Eleanor McEvoy (August 21st) and The Voyeurs (August 29th). Richard and his full backing band play their 3rd Whelan's headliner on August 16th.

Further details available from the official Richard Martin Website

 

Richard Martin will be playing on Sunday 1st August in Caffreys