Will Martin

[thomas]

grant said:

Now who else thinks this duet is going to be on Hayley's new album?

That would be a good idea to place a duet of Hayley and Will on Hayley's new album.
To be honest, I haven't spent much attention on Will so far until I visited his website and listened to the song snippets of his album. He's really got an incrdible voice. I like the quote: "How can I live with myself if I don't try?" He seems to be very focused on his music but if he wants to be successful he has to be.

Stephany, have fun on his concert! I'm sure you'll give us a detailed review. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Love,
Thomas

[Stephany]

thomas said:

Stephany, have fun on his concert! I'm sure you'll give us a detailed review. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hi Thomas,

I most definitely will. It's a bit strange going to a concert essentially for a guest artist (sorry Natasha!) but I guess it's not so unusual to do so because you all did it for Hayley in 2006 I can still dream but I would absolutely love it if Will could also be the support act of Hayley

Love,
Stephany

[Dori]

Hi All,
Will Martin is currently a second place in the NZ Official Music Charts, and his album has gone gold. From 26 to 2!! That's a huge jump!
He could be the next big NZ legend....like Hayley!! :2fun:

Dori

[Stephany]

Hi Dori,

Thanks for the excellent news. What a superb and well-deserved achievement for Will. The huge jump from week 1 to week 2 in the charts is easily explained by the massive amount of promotion he did in the past few days.

It won't be long until he takes the world by storm as well

Stephany

[Stephany]

Hi all,

Here is another article from Stuff.co.nz on Will Martin. Quite interesting to read about his conception of the classical crossover genre.

The next Kiwi singing sensation

Sunday, 18 November 2007
Twelve months ago Kiwi singer Will Martin was on a cruise ship in the United Kingdom working as a piano man, getting beer spilt on his piano. Today he is on the cusp of an international career, with his debut album A New World set to break into one of the fastest growing music genres in the world, classical cross-over.

Martin, 23, says he doesn't think even his record company knows what classical crossover actually is but he knows what it's not.

It's not opera and it's not pop, he says, so don't refer to it as Popera.

"I don't like the reference to Popera, there is nothing opera about what I do."

With his boyish looks he admits he may look like a pop star at times but he prefers to think of himself as an entertainer.

"My voice is suited to classical music because it has a ballad sound but I'm not an opera singer.

"I won't be singing the aria's like Pav but I think there is a niche market that I'm looking forward to playing with, which is classical music for the masses."

Martin is concerned about being true to the music and of how his audience views his image – not too hip to scare the pensioners and not too formal to put off the under-25 market.

"I've got to be really careful and that is part of the fun, that compromise, getting the balance right between the best parts of classical and the best parts of contemporary.

"I hope it succeeds because I would like to bring an entertainment element to classical music."

With his album climbing to No 2 in its second week, Martin says he is more concerned about people taking a chance and listening to a genre than about sales.

"The point of making the album was to sing for as many people as possible and this proves that people are buying it and enjoying it."

The album will be released in the UK early next year and then Asia at the end of the year and his record company have big plans for promoting what they see as a rising star.

"I think the next five years there's going to be a lot in them and as long as I stay true to the music that's the priority for me."

Auckland raised Martin says he was a late starter to singing, which he began in high school.

"Since then it's taken over.

"It was a concept of there's something I love more than anything else in the world and that is music and performing.

"To me to be able to do what you love and get paid for it, that's worth working very hard for."

Martin is aware that there are critics and purists who perceive his singing as a bubblegum version of the real thing but he has no time for the naysayers.

"The songs have been around for hundreds of years for a reason but perhaps they can be presented in a contemporary way with a modern edge.

"If a young person can listen to it and say "wow, who wrote that song?" and I say "Dvorak, and he's dead", then they'll be "wow" and that to me is part of the goal."

The flipside is not offending "my grandparents and aged people", he says.

"That goes down to how I dress, what songs, how they're sung, how I perform on stage.

"It's not about trying to keep everyone happy, it's about bringing the music to as many people as possible."

Martin spends "hours and hours" researching his songs in a bid to make his audience happy.

"In the process of recording the album, I would have spent more time learning about the songs, who wrote them, why and what they're about, than actually singing them."

It's important he says because as well as being a singer "I kinda think we're storytellers".

"To know what the story is about, instead of being able to say this is a sad song and then go, right sad face, if you know why it's sad it's important."

Martin says he is the only one in his family who has any singing, making him the "the black sheep" but he prefers it that way.

"My parents stopped driving me to singing lessons at 16, it was about then I started taking the reigns myself."

The most difficult aspect for Martin has been being told No

"When you first get told no, it's a horrible situation especially if you've been told yes a lot leading up to it, and it really hurts.

"Then you get told no again, and again, and again.

"You've got a few choices at that point, that sort of process at that time was the hardest in my life.

"I think how I came out of that making a decision, the alternative to not doing this is giving up and nothing else could compare.

"I'll just keep going. That was the decision I came to. In some ways that has just pushed me and accelerated me through to being in the incredible position I'm in now."

When he's not singing he likes to cook, especially for his mother who he lives with when he is in Auckland.

"She's a hoarder, she's got a cupboard filled with cans that have been there since the war.

"I've got this rule, I take one thing that needs to be used, it might be a can of beetroot and I incorporate it into a meal.

"So I'm achieving because I'm cooking dinner but I'm also getting rid of mum's excess hoarded food."

Martin says despite his self-assured manner he is not certain about how his album will fare overseas.

"I don't know if this album is gonna be massive, I don't know if it's going to succeed in the UK but I'm not going to stop until I get a real answer on that.

"I don't have any regrets at this point in time, I know I'm still young, but I would like to think in 20 years, 40 years from now I'll still look back and say `I did pretty much everything I could'."

Will Martin, whose album A New World is out now, will perform at Christchurch's Christmas in the Park on November 24.

Stephany

[Natasha]

My sister and I really like Will's voice! And it doesn't hurt that he's not bad to look at either.

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that Will will be featured in the upcoming issue of Pure Talent. The lady I communicated to arrange the interview with from his management team was really lovely and she was actually reminding me and Will responded to the questions so quickly that I was just really impressed with them.

I will post links as soon as they are available, so I hope you'll enjoy!

[meagan]

Natasha,

Thanks for the great news! I can't wait to read the article with Will! Keep up the good work. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Stephany]

Same here.
I look forward to reading the Will interview. Thanks for your efforts, Natasha!

Stephany

[Stephany]

Hi everyone,

Will Martin's CD 'A new world' UK release date has been pushed back to June 2, 2008 according to Amazon.co.uk. The cover is different from the NZ one but the tracklisting is exactly the same. To those of you who intend to go and see Will on his UK Christmas tour, there will be promotional material to take away, with details of the UK launch, and how to order from NZ. I cannot wait i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Stephany

[Dori]

Hello all,
I just got Will Martin's new ablum....i think i'm in love....
His voice is so beautiful, it's not overpowered, it has that lovely tone to it. He is truly unlike any other male vocalist i have ever heard. His rendition of Into the West and Last Rose of Summer is priceless, but my all time favorite is Over the Hills and Far Away. It's just so beautiful. I love it. His version of Hine e Hine is also one of the best i have heard (i've heard quite a few).
I can't WAIT for Will to duet with Hayley - i am certain they will one day. And to add to that, my mom wishes he will marry Hayley one day!!
Won't they make a fine couple??
Don't take that too seriously people. Hayley, if you're reading this, i apologize, i just had a bit of fun.

Dori

[Belinda]

Wow,
Christmas in the park is on tonight and i thought we were getting Elizabeth Marvelly as one of the singers
But Will Martin is there i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
will be great to see him sing live.
He is singing The First Nowell and Going Home There are lots lots of people Hayley will know plus the Barrett Twins and Stig Eldrid from (Rush)

Belinda

[Stephany]

Hi Belinda,

As you said, Will Martin is at the Christchurch Christmas at the Park whereas Elizabeth Marvelly is at the Auckland edition. Hehe I hope you have a great time. Can't wait to read your feedback on his singing!

Lots of love,
Stephany

[Belinda]

Hi Stephany ,
Some artists go to both
I'm happy with their choice and it was lucky i looked in the paper as i did not know if i really felt like going but i'll force myself .

Belinda

[Stephany]

belinda said:

Some artists go to both

wow! can they actually teleport or are the shows on two different days?

belinda said:

I'm happy with their choice and it was lucky i looked in the paper as i did not know if i really felt like going but i'll force myself .

gaaah! Belinda, it's Will Martin!! You gotta go!! Haha. Hope you can take a picture or two for me? i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Enjoy the show!
Stephany

[Belinda]

Hi Stephany,

Sorry in the end i could not force my self to go
I guess the christmas spirit hasn't arrived yet
and yes two different shows on two different days the auckland one they usually show on TV around mid december
with hi lites from christchurch
which will of course be Will Martin


belinda