LifeGrid Magazine - August 2017

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