A self taught multi instrumentalist since the age of 12, Martin Luke Brown grew up in Leicester, a cultural melting pot, which defined his formative years, before moving to London for University aged 19. Before the move, MLB weaved his way into East Midlands’ rich music scene and attracted support from BBC Introducing alongside artist friends such as Mahalia, Easylife, Saint Raymond. Once relocated in the capital, two years of gigging and writing, alongside his studies, lead to him leaving University after MLB’s debut single ‘Nostalgia’ landed him a major label record deal.
Martin comments, “Looking back, I wasn't ready for it back then. I've always believed in my ability as a musician - I know I'm capable, but becoming an artist and really owning what I AM has taken me a long time to get to grips with. I was so uncomfortable and out of my depth and that led to a lot of mental health struggles”.
In 2017, Martin decided to take an indefinite break from his artist project. He’d already begun working on other projects, and naturally transitioned into more of a collaborator - guiding other artists and helping them find their voice. In the five years since, MLB has had over 100 released songs as either a co-writer or a producer, including songs with BTS, Lizzy McAlpine, Sam Tompkins, Dylan, Jacob Banks, Gavin James, Victoria Canal, James Smith, Greta Isaac, Orla Gartland, Sody, Jack Kane, and many more.
As the world would come to a standstill in early 2020, the daily rhythm of sessions; writing, recording and working with other artists, stopped too. Martin comments, “I kept writing songs, but they weren’t really for anyone. It was just a fun way to pass time. I started to fall in love with music again away from the manic noisy treadmill that is the music industry. I started working more regularly with producer (an old friend from Leicester) Matt Zara, and we serendipitously happened upon this new sound. It felt right, everything just fell into place in a way I’d never experienced before”.
It was during this time Martin refined his artistry, leading to his new project. Martin continues, “I feel like i’m in a pretty sweet spot right now, I’m working on some exciting new projects (Dylan, Sam Tompkins, Sam Ryder, Jack Kane) - continuing to co-exist and work alongside some of my best friends and inspirations (Orla Gartland, Greta Isaac, Dodie, James Smith), and beginning to ease back into life as an artist and not just in the background. I just want to be as authentic as I can be this time around - musically, but also the whole world. The visuals, the tone. I think for all of these tunes the main theme is acceptance and forgiveness. At the end of the day, life is to be celebrated innit”.
Returning now with a blissful, west coast inspired sound, ‘Damn, Look at the View’ is Martin’s debut album and one that marks a significant new era in both his musical career and life.
Awash with a palpable feeling of nostalgia and bittersweet reflection, MLB deals unapologetically with themes of love, loss and belonging; his potent lyricism delivered with a characterful, unfussy vocal and a sound that is defined by the intrinsic sense of fun he injects into the writing process and genuine sentimentality. This is particularly evident on ‘Elsie’ / LC - a tribute to his hometown and childhood in Leicester.
Laced into each record are evidence of Martin’s philosophy as an artist; bringing attention to the ordinary, often overlooked moments in our intimate lives, and empathising honestly with the more nuanced struggles universal to the human experience.
