THE MUSIC OF MITCHELL MARTIN .
written by Leah Rando .
es around notes , chords and beats ; all of which we can hear and feel , yet cannot see .
Some people are born with an innate love of music and have the natural ability to present this skill through movement and dance , playing an instrument or adding words and meaning to notes , becoming a work of art that adds to that universal language . Meet Mitchell Martin , a 20 year old with a passion and talent for his music , that some say , is beyond his years . I feel compelled to write this article as a mother of a 20 year old son , who is also musically talented , as this is the next generation leading us into the future with new ways of thinking about and approaching not only music , but life in general .
Mitchell , local to Bunbury , but currently studying Music at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts ( WAAPA ), in Perth , was first exposed to music through his primary school choir and school musicals , however , the real passion was discovered during Year 9 at Bunbury Catholic College when he decided to learn the guitar . usic has the inexplicable ability to attach itself to places , time and experiences in our lives , reminding us of an event and the emotions relating to that experience . Music is a universal language and as human beings we attach meaning to our experienccompile , the album was released on March 26 , 2017 , his 20th birthday . Mitchell ’ s maturity and insight as a young musician , is reflected in our conversation . I asked him some questions about his life and passion and this is what he shared with me .
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES ? My main musical influence for me was Ed Sheeran . Until I entered high school I was not a big music listener . I didn ’ t have any favourite artists and just listened to whatever was on the radio . Once I started singing , I began to pay more attention to music , which was around this time when Ed Sheeran ’ s songs began to reach the Australian Top 40 charts . After paying more attention to lyrics , especially by the A Team , I was inspired to focus more intently on my writing .
WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO ? I love playing the guitar , singing and performing to people who come to an event to listen to me . Whether an intimate group or a 30 , 000 crowd at a stadium . Being able to perform and do it as my job makes me extremely satisfied . I also loved the teaching aspect . Passing on my skills and seeing the results is a truly satisfying experience .
ASPIRATIONS AND AMBITIONS AS AN ARTIST ? Being able to perform around the world at venues where people come to watch me is the dream . I would also like to continue writing and producing better quality songs until eventually making it into the commercial charts . also be something I would like to do .
DO YOU PLAY OTHER INSTRUMENTS ? Guitar and vocals are my main instruments ; however , I also play a bit of bass , keys and drums . When I perform live I use a loop station to loop drums , bass and keys through a keyboard / synth and I also loop my guitar and vocals to create a full sound which is why I can play the basics of these instruments . I am not formally trained in piano or bass and have only had a few drum lessons . I would love to learn more and get better at these instruments .
FAMILY SUPPORT . LIFE GROWING UP . WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT YOU HAD A GIFT FOR MUSIC ? I always had a lot of family support with whatever I did . I didn ’ t realise that I had much of a gift for music until a lot later than most . I always knew that I could sing Ok , however , it was never a serious thing for me and I never practised . Once in high school , my parents really wanted me to get all I could out of the extra-curricular activities and they suggested learning an instrument , which is when I began learning the guitar . I picked up the guitar quicker than anything else I had tried and it was then I really found my passion for music .
IN 10 YEARS TIME ….. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING ? I would like to be travelling around and performing my original songs . I would also hope to have a family by this time and have finished my degrees , so that when I am not travelling and performing I will be able to teach .
I remember sitting in the auditorium listening to Mitchell at a school presentation noting that “ this boy has talent ”, to later see him perform at my friend ’ s wedding in the trio , True North . So , at the time of his Year 12 graduation , the artist was truly emerging , with at least 5 years ’ experience learning and teaching the guitar , taking vocal lessons and writing original songs . He was invited back to the school after his graduating year to teach guitar at the college .
Applying to WAAPA after gaining the teaching experience , Mitchell was accepted on the day of his audition and elected to move to Perth the following year to further his music career , where he then released his debut album , “ Into The Light ”. Taking three years to
YOUR STUDIES AT WAAPA – WHAT ARE YOU WORKING TOWARDS ? At WAAPA I am learning about performing , writing and recording as well as improving at my instruments and collaborating in bands . I have been working towards becoming a stronger lead and electric guitarist . I have been fortunate to develop skills with the bass guitar . Currently I am working on playing my original songs with support bands , which is a good experience because I am used to performing solo with my loop station . Becoming a versatile performer is important .
I am also considering an education course after finishing my current studies so I can teach music at high schools in the future . Lecturing at WAAPA would
Individual Photos by Danii Harry Photography
Live Event Photos by Linda Dunjey Photography