Hardrock Haven E-Interview Andy Martin

John: Andy thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. I have had your CD in my car CD player since you sent it in for a review at HRH. It certainly contains tasteful and emotional compositions. Is this your first CD release?
Andy: "First off, thank you John for your inviting me to do this interview and for the kind words. "Brother from Another Mother" (BFAM) is my first full length CD release. I did have an EP title "Just A Dream," which was released in 1999."

John: You have described yourself as a loner. You took up guitar at an early age and put everything into the instrument. Can you say after all these years that your playing meets your expectations?
Andy: "Yes I would say my playing has met my expectations. I'm always learning, reading, writing, composing and studying music. I just love music. I love to learn and explore the many different avenues in our universal language, I just love music and I love the guitar, for it is my first love, sent to me from my angel above!"

John: Listening to your playing, I can hear influences of Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Yngwie and most certainly a strong influence in classical music. Not to say that you sound like them, you certainly have your own style. Who are influences?
Andy: "I have so many influences. my main influence in music was my mother! She was an amazing classical pianist. I have plenty of other influences like Yngwie Malmsteen, Satriani, Ted Nugent, Steve Vai, Shawn Lane and George Lynch. The list just goes on and on. I love all genres of music. Just because a certain genre doesn't appeal to you , doesn't mean you can't learn from it!"

John: I especially like the track “Brother From Another Mother,” featuring Scott Childress on vocals. Is has a groovy, bluesy feel along with your expressive guitar playing. What prompted you to put that song on the CD?
Andy: "Scott and I have known each other for about 17 years. I wanted to put a vocal track on the record, Scott and I had several great songs. I chose "BFAM" because it is our lives. That song is a roof raising track. It just slams you! Scott sang his ass off as well as I played my ass off on that track!"

John: You have had some rough years emotionally with you mother having cancer. She seems to have had a strong impact on you as a musician. Can you put into words what gift she gave you that remains in your heart and drives you on your quest?
Andy: "My mother gave me the gift of music! To get a gift from someone special that no money can buy is priceless. Money can't buy you talent. See when all is said and done, when we leave this place, the type of car you had, how big your home was or how much money you had will be meaningless. What you leave behind is what is important. I am fortunate enough to be given a gift of music and I feel blessed. It's like this...We all have a gift with in us, once we find that gift and what we do with that gift is how we pay back the ones who gave that gift to us! No matter what your gift is you should never waste it. Life is way too short. You should share the passion of your gift."

John: How did you find the tapes of her (your mother) playing piano that eventually became the song “Guided by Grace?”
Andy: "When I was relocating from CT to Los Angeles, I was going threw a bunch of boxes. One box had about 300 cassette tapes in it. As I was cleaning house, I was listening to all the tapes. That is when I came accross a tape that was 30 years old of my mother playing piano. I always wanted to do a duet with my mother. So I took the tape into the studio, cleaned it up as much as possible, then once it was cleaned as good as we could get it, I improvised on my classical guitar. It was a pretty airy moment but a true blessing. It was a dream come true to do a duet with my mother and her piano part was recorded 30 years before."

John: When did you leave Bridgeport, CT and head out to Los Angeles?
Andy: "I left CT in 1999 to reside in Los Angeles, CA. I was born in Bridgeport, CT, I grew up in Stratford, CT. After my mothers' death, I moved back to Bridgeport and afterwards I decided to move on and chase a dream in southern California.

John: Going from a practicing music to working and performing musician, did you find the change a culture shock?
Andy: Not really. I just love playing guitar. I love playing more than ever. My love just grows for the instrument. I don't care if I'm playing is my room for myself or playing for others. I put 110% into my playing no mater when or where I play. Music is a feeling and I feel complete when I have my guitar! I also constantly learning more and more, studying the instrument religiously. I'm going to my grave with my guitar around my neck!"

John: You have managed to land some major endorsement deals. The Ibanez deal really had to boost your self confidence. How did that come about?
Andy: "First off when you endorse Ibanez your in a family! Now, this is a true but funny story. I have been with Ibanez for about 6 years now. I tried to get my press kit to artist relations for years. I had no luck. Then one year I was sending out Christmas cards, for business. My wife at the time said "why don't you put your CD in a Christmas card and send it to the head of Artist relations", and the rest is history. I have build a priceless relationship with Ibanez, which I treasure. So I owe it to my ex-wife (Judy who kidnapped my cat Cloud, ha ha, just kidding) on helping me get my foot in the door to land an endorsement with Ibanez."

John: What is preference a seven string or six string guitar? I assume you play Ibanez guitars exclusively. What pickups are you using?
Andy: "These days my prefrence is a 6 string. I guess you can say I went back to my roots. As for my pickups...I proudly endorse Dimarzio pickups. I chose to use a Fast Track 1, Fast Track 2 and the Air Norton."

John: You have a friendship with Steve Vai. How did you meet Steve? Has he been involved with development of your career?
Andy: "When I was writing my book "7 String Guitar," published by Hal Leonard. I wanted someone to quote my book. So I went to go see a true brutha of mine Neil Zlozower, the legendary photographer. I told him I would like Steve to quote it. Zloz picked up the phone called Steve and Steve said he would love to check it out and put a quote on it. So Zlozower is the man who hooked me up, as he always does. I have know Zloz for about 17 years and I would do anything for him as he would for me. Basically that is Steve's involvement in my career, we email each other to keep in touch. I'm thankful for his endorsement for my book and his respect on my playing and composing."

John: It appears that you have released your CD under your moniker. Have you had interest from any labels? Are pursuing a recording contract?
Andy: "I sent my CD to everyone, no one wanted to jump on it right away, so I released it on my own. I'm glad I released it on my own. Being an artist we are very particular. I know what I want. Later on several distribution companies came forward to distribute my CD, which I work with now."

John: What projects can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Andy: "I'm currently writing and composing for a new CD. This CD is going to be 90% vocal hard rock, hair swinging music with over charge guitar, fret board gymnastic, guitar wizardry. I'm going to have Scott Childress do a few songs with me. I'm going to have my mentors Chris Risola from Steel Heart and Ted Greene, the legendary guitar guru, do a track with me. I waiting to hear from TM Stevens to see if he has the time to play bass and I will have few guest guitarists playing on the CD as well. This CD is going to blow the balls off a charging rhino by 30 paces. It's going to be hard and fast with grooves to die for."

John: What is your opinion of main stream music? Do you see the return of 80s style rock to the main stream scene?
Andy: "I would say main stream music is anything that is on the radio. I honestly think the labels are hurting pretty bad. They only seem to put out music to touch a certain age group. Years ago they used to saturate the market. I remember when Madonna, Motley Crue, MC Hammer, Ozzy where all huge at the same time. It is a shame they are just focusing on a certain age group and the bands aren't that good. There are plenty of great bands out there who deserve to be in the lime light. Thats when people like yourself John, come into play. You people keep it alive!! thank you for that!"

John: How do you feel about the band the Darkness? Is it a gimmick or are these guys for real?
Andy: "The Darkness......They have the old school heavy guitars (AC / DC , so to speak) but man.........the vocals have to go in my opinion."

John: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring musicians?
Andy: "When the elements in life, seem not to be going your way, hold your ground and walk strong through the valley of darkness. Don't quit, stay focused, see that dream and go get it. Mostly play your music or what ever you do, do it for yourself. Play your music to make you happy and impress yourself, not others and I promise the reward will be worth the wait."

John: On a personal note, have you settled down and had children of your own? If so, how has this affected you musically?
Andy: "Have I settled down....... Hell No. Do I have Children.....Hell No. All I ever wanted to do with my life was to play guitar! I love the guitar more than ever! My love for guitar only grows. I can't say or express how complete I feel with guitar. If I didn't have guitar or music in my life, I really wouldn't be happy or want to live."

John: Anything you like to say that I may not have asked?
Andy: "We all should strive to be the best we can be at what ever we do. Hard times don't last, strong people do! Keep the smile and the rest will be easy. I would love to make new friends as well, so email me and I promise I will reply to you all andy@andymartinmusic.com."

John: Thanks again for taking time out for me. It is always great to talk with musicians whose music has something to say to the listener. I appreciate you giving up your time to make this interview possible. Please keep in touch.
Andy: "Thank you John and thank you Hardrock Haven. To all you Hard rock hair whippers feel free to email me andy@andymartinmusic.com I would love to hear from you all. Also, check out my website for frequent updates,contests, give aways and much more www.andymartinmusic.com"