We were lucky to catch up with Joshua Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is my latest single, “Sol y Chela.” The song has a special backstory. I wrote it after visiting Jalisco for the first time, the state where my father was born and raised. My significant other and I fell in love with the culture and the people, which inspired me deeply.

During the creative process, I came up with so many different melodies and choruses that I ended up recording two versions of the song. I released the first version which is available on Spotify and Apple Music and now I’m trying to decide how to release the second version. I’m not sure whether to introduce it as a remix or as “version 2.”

Fun fact about version 2: One year before releasing version 1, I had sent version 2 to Aterciopelados, hoping they would cut it because I thought it would fit them perfectly. When that didn’t work out, I decided to release the first version. Now, I’m planning to release version 2 very soon.

Joshua , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello everyone, my name is Joshua Martin, and I am a Mexican American singer-songwriter who releases music independently. Born and raised in Southern California, and heavily influenced by 80’s and 90’s music, it translates in my music.

What sets me apart is my distinct styles of my music. I’m not afraid to limit myself to one genre nor one language. If you listen to a playlist of all of my songs, you may listen to an English song called, “High Go Down” and really enjoy the vibe and the next song can be a reggaeton Spanish song called, “Sol y Chela”. Ultimately, I write music that inspires me and as I’m in the creative zone, the song informs me what language it wants to be in. I make music about my life that makes me happy and I hope that others enjoy it.

I also release music that I self-produce, self-mix, as well as music that I’ve collaborated with revered producers, sound engineers, and other artists. My English songs are predominantly 80s infused, with occasional reggae elements, my Spanish music spans various genres like pop, dance, rock, cumbia, and reggaeton. Although I’m not a technically great singer, my voice has a distinctive quality that resonates with listeners. In addition to writing music for myself, I also write for other artists, both established and independent. I’m working on two albums/EP’s at the moment, an all English album that is heavily influenced by new wave and dark wave. I’m also working on all Spanish album that spans multiple genres such as cumbia, reggae, pop, rock, and son.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part about being a creative is the spiritual and magical experience of writing music. It’s something I can’t fully explain—one moment, there’s nothing, and the next, I’m building something that evolves into a fully realized song. There’s a unique thrill in enjoying that creation privately, like listening to it in the car on the way to Starbucks, before anyone else even knows it exists.

I love the process of creating something out of nothing. There’s a high I get from releasing a song and receiving feedback from listeners. It’s a beautiful thing to tap into the ideas for melodies and lyrics, even if I can’t exactly define how it happens. If I could do just one thing in life, it would be writing songs. While I do have to produce much of my own music due to the high costs, which is enjoyable, my true passion lies in crafting melodies and lyrics.

I’ve always said I’m not a singer—singing is just something I do. But I’ve found immense joy in singing, whether it’s performing my own songs or trying to sing other artists’ songs in the shower or car. This has also given me a newfound appreciation for those artists who can hit certain notes that I strive for. Ultimately, being a creative allows me to express myself, connect with others, and continually find new sources of inspiration and fulfillment.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, there’s a definite mission driving my creative journey. I want to connect with my audience on a meaningful level and find my people—those who resonate with my music. My ultimate goal is to become a full-time songwriter, similar to icons like Justin Tranter and Linda Perry. Just four years ago, I decided to get out of my own way and truly pursue my dreams. While it feels like I’m late to the party, I’m committed to giving it my all.

My journey has been a rollercoaster, with streams fluctuating rapidly. At times, I have less than 100 listeners, and at others, I’ve reached up to 25,000. It’s fascinating to see the analytics and discover that people from specific countries are enjoying my music. For instance, my song, “High Go Down” got over 40,000 streams, with the majority of plays coming from Finland, which was an unexpected delight because I dont know anyone from there nor do I have any connection with Finland. It’s interesting to note that often listeners don’t necessarily look up the artist on social media or try to find out more—they just enjoy the song until the next shiny thing comes along. Again, finding my tribe – my people and eventually playing live to them. Outside of a few charity shows I have performed at, have never considered myself a live artist similar to how Santigold got started. She definitely tours now and I think that will also be my trajectory but I have to work towards that.

It’s really exciting that a Mexican-American gay boy can reach people in India, Finland, and other countries all over the world. It’s crazy and I bet if I were to walk passed any of my listeners on the street they would have no idea lol

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuamartin.music/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaMartin
• Other: https://linktr.ee/joshuamartinmusic

Image Credits

Roberto Chavez