By Natasha Barbieri
Interview thanks to Janina Pecival
I first heard of Will Martin in 2005 when I sat in manager Gray Barlett’s office for a meeting. He played us a track of Will singing a Josh Groban song and gave us Will’s card… how difference two years can make! Then, Will was an amazing young talent waiting to be discovered and now, with his debut album only recently going gold, Will is the latest New Zealand singing sensation who is about to take things to the international level. He’s cool with a refreshing honesty and lack of pretense about his ambitions and sure to be a heart-throb with his boy-band looks and adorable kiwi accent.
Congratulations on your recent success. What is it like going from a struggling artist to hitting Gold?
I’m just taking it one step at a time. It’s always been about bringing beautiful music to as many people as possible, and in that respect, nothing’s changed. Although now I suppose, there’s a potential global audience!
You started your career at 12 playing in ‘My Fair Lady.’ Now, ten years later, you have a recording contract with Universal to sing classical crossover music. How would you say your vocal style has evolved and changed since you first began?
Musical theater was where I started as you say, but there has been a sense of ‘exploration’ ever since then. What I’ve performed to pay the bills has been dictated by my employer at any given time. Whether it be the P&O Cruise Ship Company or The Hard Rock Café in Dubai. Now though, I finally have the opportunity to satisfy my own first love; reinventing classical music, and presenting it in a contemporary format – crossover!
As a kid, I used to think of opera as ladies singing shrill high notes. How are you trying to update the image of crossover singers for the new generation?
I think in fairness, some classical music is exactly that, but I personally hope to get as far away from that stigma as possible. That’s not what I’m about. Number one priority for me is to ‘tell the story’ to emote the lyrics and music of the greatest songwriters. Then, once I know why I’m singing, I think about the notes. In terms of changing the image of classical music, I don’t plan to as such. The music I record is as “unclassical” as classical gets. I just hope that young people will take it for what it is.
You have stated that you want to ‘push the boundaries of the classical crossover genre.’ What are some of the new styles that you want to incorporate?
My intentions with ‘pushing the boundaries’ are more performance inclined. There’s a time and a place for standing still behind a microphone singing ‘shrill high notes.’ I just haven’t come across it yet! Relating to the audience is crucial, they’re whom you’re singing for after all. Also, the emphasis with crossover doesn’t have to be about bringing classical music to a younger audience. There is an incredible contemporary repertoire that the older generation deserves to hear as well.
A lot of people are comparing you to Hayley Westenra which must be flattering and strange had the same time. What are some of the qualities that you think make you stand out?
I suppose more than anything, it’d be the diversity of my entertainment career leading up to signing on to be a classical crossover recording artist and the role that it’ll play in my performances. That, and the fact that this young Kiwi boy is prepared to take risks and ‘break the mold.’
You’ve stated quite plainly that you’re not an opera singer. Do you feel that not being one gives you more freedom?
I’m not a fan of the “Popera” coinage in relation to me, sharply because there is a very little “Opera” about what I do. I think that not being an opera singer offers a greater diversity where both repertoire and performance opportunities are concerned which works well for what my musical intentions are.
Tell us about singing for the All Blacks.
It was a dream come true – 3 times over in fact. I’ll never forget the sensation of singing the NZ anthem at an All Black’s match. The local radio station called me up the next day to ask me how it felt to lead the country in song. I responded saying that I wasn’t leading the country, I was singing with them and that’s quite a choir!
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I love to cook. The creation of good food takes up a lot of my time. That, and playing pool, running with my iPod blasting ‘Rock’ jamming with any musician who wants to make a noise, and philosophizing about life with my mates!
A lot of artists struggle to gain the confidence to promote themselves and deal with rejection. Do you have any words of encouragement?
It’s all about attitude. “Everybody has talent, but only some have the determination to follow where it leads.” You can never be sure about what it is you’re about to embark upon, but the alternative is to not try. That doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest. “No what if’s… only why not’s.” The dream scenario was that if I worked hard enough, I could pay the bills doing what I love more than anything else. Surely that’s worth working hard for!
Featured in our Winter 2007 Issue.
“A new word” is available now: willmartinofficial.com
