Multi award-winning musician Christina Martin has a talent for synthesizing Americana and Pop/Rock sounds into sleek and engaging music with standout messages. On Impossible To Hold (released last month on her own label Come Undone Records), her sixth studio album, Christina continues her significant evolution as one of Canada’s top exporting artists, with a matchless quality that has further developed lyrically, emotionally and sonically since her 2016 award winning album It’ll Be Alright. Christina explains
A free-flowing sonic exploration is immediately evident. The albums opening title track, Impossible To Hold, boasts big vocals and gorgeous Duesenberg guitar riffs, courtesy of producer Dale Murray, that are quickly swapped by the refreshing classic-pop collaboration Always Reminding – one of the album’s standout moments.
Christina’s storytelling ability continues to shine over these 10-songs, with formerly released single, Lungs Are Burning, written as a response to the rising Fentanyl drug crisis in Canada and her own personal loss related to addiction and mental illness, and Where The Dark Meets The Light drawing inspiration from the challenges and triumphs of dedicating your life to the artistic journey.
Other highlights include the album’s soulful yet delicate Winter, an impassioned Deep Dark Red, and the roaring Rock-infused Foreign. Check out Impossible To Hold below!
We managed to catch up with Christina as she talked about her latest album and more!
How has the release of ‘Impossible To Hold’ gone down so far?
Some weeks we get loads of positive feedback. Other weeks, it feels like the universe is hinting that you might want to consider taking up a different career path.
Some reviewers, including Rolling Stone Germany, seem to appreciate the work, and the fact that the songs don’t all sound the same stylistically.
Other critics seem perhaps think I should have written an more generic and happier album.
Can you tell us something about the release no one else knows?
Noise and Toys was supposed to be released on my album ‘It’ll Be Alright’, but was cut in the mixing process.
What is your is your favourite track from the album?
Impossible To Hold
If you could work with any band or artist on a new song, who would it be and why?
Jeff Lynne – Just listen to his songs, and the work he has produced for others. He’s a genius.
Will you be touring at all in 2018 or any festivals planned?
We just finished 45 tour dates in Europe, and I’m touring quite a bit throughout 2018 throughout Canada mainly. Check my tour dates here www.christinamartin.net/tour
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
A marvelous day includes cooking for family or friends, going for a run, and sometimes playing board games. I’d love to dance more.
What inspired you to get into music in the first place?
I was musical as a child but quit lessons for many years. I only started writing my own songs at the age of 19, and then taught myself how to play rhythm guitar as a tool for songwriting and performing solo. I think the desire to create has always been with me, but it feels like something I was born with. I suppose other artists inspired me to become a performer. I’m not sure what inspired me to actually start writing my own songs. I must have been curious if I could do it, and I just couldn’t shake it after that. I always loved writing, but I never considered myself great at writing or performing. It was always just something I felt I had to do.