Q&A with Lars Martin
LA-based platinum songwriter/record producer Martin Wave has released his debut solo project under the moniker Lars Martin. After years of collaborating with various artists and becoming an established name in multiple areas within the music world, he shared what motivated him to release work independently. As you'll come to learn, he is more than qualified to do so, and we are sure glad he did.
"Plans" is the single being released today by Lars Martin, and it showcases his versatility in making music. With its R&B melodic lines, vintage sampling, and chill-inducing vocal skills, "Plans" is quite different from the pop-songs and big-budget commercials that define much of his public career as Martin Wave. Of course, that has all been part of his journey to where he is today. Those experiences have led him to understand what resonates most with people as we can't help but see "Plans" being part of the next viral TikTok trend.
If you can't get enough Lars Martin and his new single and want some more tunes by the talented songwriter, composer, and record producer, look no further than his two DJ ALOK collaborations. "Hear me Tonight" and "Alive (It Feels Like)" have been streamed over 100 million times, and yes, that is Lars Martin's vocals. Pretty cool, huh? We told you he knows what he's doing. After all, it's pretty much like he said: "Worry about making something that feels good because if it feels good, then it is good."
IndieWavves: You have quite an impressive resume - collabs with Alok, French Montana, and Jason Derulo, to name a few, and some extensive global ad campaigns. What caused you to take the next step of releasing music under Lars Martin (your solo project)?
Lars Martin: I worked in music for about nine years, making what other people wanted me to make and for the paycheck. I was always a bit of a musical chameleon, creating across a wide range of styles that worked well for a variety of purposes, especially ad campaigns. Getting busier and busier with work was amazing, and I am very grateful for all the opportunities that came my way - but at some point, I started feeling like something was missing. One night I simply had a bit of a "download"; the idea to create my own artist project. To make music like I would make it growing up. Just make whatever I want to make. I realized that pure, free creative expression was the thing missing. I was the kid who built with Legos alone. Then I made music alone, just for the enjoyment of it. That unique experience of creating something all by yourself had gotten a bit lost, but I felt it was time to go back to my roots and rediscover why I started creating in the first place.
IW: How did collaborating with various artists and becoming an established name across multiple areas of the music world aid you with finding your own voice?
LM: Collaborating, especially with high-level songwriters, helped me grow like crazy and discover new ways to approach songwriting. I found new kinds of melodies, simplified my productions, and ultimately understood that I could use my emotional side to connect dots in songs. It allowed me to realize that I had way more of a voice than I thought. For the longest time, I hated lyrics simply because I was always banging my head against the wall trying to "come up" with a song. Learning to unblock and allow for creativity, just hit record to see what comes out of my mouth, and simply write from a highly personal place and go with whatever comes has really been essential for me.
IW: Congrats on releasing "Plans"! What inspired the track?
LM: Thank you! "Plans" has an interesting story. I met my wife three months before the Los Angeles lockdown, and we fell madly in love. When we understood that there was a lockdown coming, we decided to move all her things over to my place so that we could be together. In the middle of carrying items down to the car, I felt the urge to ask her to marry me, so I did, and she said "yes". The next day we got married! I wrote the song shortly after in our bedroom. The song "Plans" is about love, staying together when times are tough, and manifesting a life beyond what we were currently living through. In general, I would say my relationship with my wife, who is also a music maker, inspires me greatly. She has taught me a lot about becoming a more fearless creative.
IW: Do you believe it's important for artists to create from a personal experience or perspective?
LM: It really doesn't matter. It is how I choose to do it because it makes sense for me. I would say that the only thing that truly matters (to me) is that it is genuine in some way, be it personal lyrics, a vocal performance that moves you, or simply a passion for the craft. People can pick up on the genuine factor way more than we'd like to think! In my world, an artist has to be themselves, but it's not really about the perspective we write from, it's more the energy we bring. It's common to make musical decisions based on fear of being judged by others. We think things need to be in a certain way for the artist to be accepted. I think that is bullshit, and I've been working hard to de-program that because that was the reason I never released anything in the past. We need to worry about making something that feels good because if it feels good, then it is good regardless of what someone else might think.
IW: You were born in Sweden and now reside in Los Angeles. Can you speak to us about what it was like to move to a different country and its impact on you as a person/artist?
LM: Moving to America was a huge culture shock. I'll be honest; I was a mess. I had just left a long-term relationship and was thrown into this new world where everyone felt more confident than me, freer than me, more creative than me, and so I worked very hard. Swedish people are much more reserved and not so outgoing. My brain couldn't keep up, and I became very anxious. I've always been an anxious person, but this was a new level that affected everything. The significant change came when I started going to an amazing hypnotherapist who showed me that I lacked self-love and self-respect, all brand new concepts to me. I decided to go headfirst into personal and spiritual growth (note that Sweden is not a very spiritual country), and it gave me a whole new perspective on life - and a story to tell.
IW: We can see "Plans" becoming the next viral TikTok song. Do you find social media platforms like IG and TikTok valuable in how an artist can connect with listeners or share ideas?
LM: That would honestly be so cool!! It wasn't something I considered while making the song, but I could see how my quirky lyrics could work, haha. I think social media is a great way to reach people and show who you are. I was very uncomfortable being myself on Instagram for the longest time, but now I've come to a place I am happy to care less and just share more of me and my ideas. I think A LOT about mental health, how to be happier, and how psychology and spirituality cross over way more than people think. It's super interesting and definitely part of my identity at this point. I consider social media an incredible way to learn and discover new ideas to challenge your old beliefs.
IW: What can we expect from Lars Martin in the near future? What are you most excited about in 2021?
LM: I am putting out more songs! They are all different. Like very different. To me, some of them are a little weird, and some are beautiful. I am super excited about an upcoming Lars Martin feature with a big DJ, naming no names!
Witten by Piera Lolandes