hurdling with martin luke brown: producer, songwriter + artist
on being true to yourself, the music industry's problem with tiktok and the importance of slowing down
Martin Luke Brown is a producer, songwriter and artist from Leicester, currently living in west (aka, best) London. Since starting his musical career back in 2014, Martin’s own soulful, emotive music has clocked up millions of streams on Spotify (‘Opalite’ is frequently in my own On Repeat playlist) – as have the songs he’s written and produced for the likes of Orla Gartland, James Blunt, BTS, Lizzy McApline and many more.
Here, Martin answers my questions on being true to yourself, the music industry's problem with TikTok and the importance of slowing down.
Q: Give us a brief overview of your CV.
I’m a producer, songwriter and artist from Leicester. I’ve worked on a hilariously wide range of stuff (James Blunt, BTS, Orla Gartland, Lizzy McAlpine, Jacob Banks and loads more). I love everything for different reasons – everyone brings out a different part of me and I enjoy constantly re-defining what I think I am.
I’m mostly working on my own project again after 5 years away from it. It’s kind of lo-fi, chill vibes. I’m working on other projects too - Dylan, Sam Tompkins, Victoria Canal and Jack Kane are all people I’ve been keeping busy with the last few months! Outside of work, I’m pretty simple really. I like big walks, watching football and being very into coffee. Oh yeah, and I’ve just started training to become a therapist!
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?Â
A footballer. Classic.
Q: Tell me about your first job.
I worked in a calendar shop. I was 14, so it was technically illegal but they paid me in cash. I learned how to use a till, I got way better at talking to strangers, and it, err, cemented my understanding of which months have 31 days and which have 30. I also learned that people really love cats (understandable) and Cliff Richard (less so).
Q: Tell me about your worst job.
I worked at Zara as a cashier when I was 18 after House of Fraser (my previous retail adventure) shut down. My boss seemed to pride herself on making sure everyone was having as stressful a time as possible. And I had to wear a suit – not for me. I found it so uncomfortable to have to have a ‘professional’ persona, and I feel really lucky that today, I’m doing something that actively encourages me to be as authentic as possible.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made at work?
At that same Zara job, I argued with my boss in front of a customer. The customer agreed with me so I won the battle, but lost the war when I eventually got fired. Honestly I don’t think I learnt anything, I’d probably do the same now. Bless her man, I hope that boss got therapy and figured things out.
Q: Is there anything you wish you’d done differently over your career? If so, what?
I wish I’d always followed my intuition and not been so easily swayed by people with more ‘experience’ than me. I think especially in a career as subjective as music, your intuition is the only thing you can truly trust and I’m often frustrated at myself for the times I didn’t always wholeheartedly embrace what just felt right.
Q: You left being your own artist behind (which FYI, always felt wild to me, considering how incredible you are on stage!) for a while. What made you press pause?
Aw man that’s so nice, thank you. Honestly, I think being a modern day artist is taxing beyond belief. It’s not just writing songs and going on tour - it’s social media, being stuck on and never truly being able to relax or turn off your phone. That’s only been accelerated now with the emergence of Tik Tok etc. It’s bonkers the hours artists are putting in just to create content that’s almost instantly forgotten about online. All for the promise of getting a few streams that they’re already not being paid enough for! It’s wild.
I signed a record deal when I was 22 and I just didn’t really fully understand what it meant to be an artist. It was a really hard time. When I eventually got dropped, it felt both liberating and terrifying. Ultimately, slowing down and escaping the environment where I was being rushed to create and release stuff I never really felt comfortable with was really good for me. The music industry is a lot. I think taking time away is really important to put everything into perspective. I think I’m always going to need to take time from being in ‘artist mode’ - it’s just so all consuming that I forget how to be a functioning human being.
Q: How important is it for you to create music and art that’s authentic?
For my artist project it’s absolutely THE reason why I do it! I’d be lying if I said that everything I’ve ever done is totally pure and authentic – I think that’s why it’s so important to me now. Almost every aspect of the music industry is set up to dilute authenticity. Most of my past releases I really hate now, because I can hear the compromises I made to appease the people around me in them.
I’m constantly learning the art of listening and making people feel heard and valued even if I disagree, but ‘fuck off it’s my project’ can be very necessary at times. That’s my advice to most artists I’m working with now. Just believe in yourself and trust your intuition and if anyone around you is trying to sway you in another direction, then just sack them off.
Q: What’s the most satisfying kind of writing session you can have with an artist?
Just running around playing and being childlike. I think creating anything should always be about the process and not results-orientated. I love meeting people who just want to explore and have fun. That’s why we all do it at the end of the day, innit?
Q: What do you think the next five years look like for you?
I actually recently deferred a place at the Minster Centre to do a 3 year Integrative Therapy course. I’ve struggled with mental health (as almost everyone in the music industry has) for most of my adult life and it’s now something I’ve become super passionate about.
I could talk for hours and hours about it – there are so many aspects of it that I find infinitely fascinating. I’d love to be a qualified therapist in 5 years time, and to then find a way to integrate that into my life.
I’ll always love music and I’m sure I’ll always be doing it in some capacity – but I’ve got one eye on the future and I’d love to have a more settled lifestyle for when it comes to settling down and having a family. Also life is long. There’s loads of chapters. I wanna do loads of things!
Q: Anything to get off your chest?
Fuck Tik Tok.Â
QUICKFIRE
Q: One work-related object you can’t live without?Â
A piano. But I’ll take a keyboard if piano isn’t available. Haha.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Whatever you’re feeling, especially if it’s negative, lean in, be curious and ask what you can learn from it.
Q: Worst advice you’ve ever been given?
Fake it til you make it. Such bollocks, those people are the worst.
Q: Your dream artist to collaborate with?
I would love to work with Kanye. What the hell would that be like.
Q: The person you admire the most?
Recently I’ve got a lot of love for Miley Cyrus. She’s so cool. Just does what she wants, seems super chill and authentic. Big into it. I know it seems easy, but it’s rare isn’t it?Â
Q: Ever faked being sick to get off work?
Still do. I reckon about 5 times a year.
Q: Any last words?
Live laugh love.
Martin’s latest release, ‘damn, look at the view!’ is out now.
*immediately searches on spotify*