2022-11-23

Mahone Bay singer, songwriter releases sophomore album

MAHONE BAY - Lunenburg County singer and songwriter Kristen Martell highlights "celebrating change" in her, as she described, "hazy, dreamy folk pop" sound that immerses listeners of her latest release, Every Season.

The ECMA and three-time Music Nova Scotia award nominee embeds challenges to her audience within the eight tracks to find life's silver linings and hidden gems.

"All of the songs on the record; the theme is kind of change and it's, kind of, celebrating change," she said in a recent interview.

"There are a lot of things that feel heavy right now (but) there's always something to celebrate even in our darkest times. There's hope."

Martell said the studio album, her second, brings an orchestral cinematic vibe; inspiration she attributes to her producer Gabrielle Papillon. Martell's first offering, Coming Home, was released in 2020.

Meanwhile, Every Season pushes the boundaries of her sound, Martell added. Her first album leaned more to the folk, rather than pop, side of her current sound spectrum.

Those who nab the CD will be treated to an acoustic riff of Photograph of Secrets, a diversion from the upbeat theme, mostly, Martell said, to add variety. The CD took a year to pull together and was recorded in Halifax County.

For Martell, Every Season means "strength and progress and just accomplishing my goals."

"The song called Every Season has a line, 'every season brings another view, every shadow brings another truth,' and that's what I'm really going for with this record: trying to celebrate these challenges because they make us stronger in the end."

Martell said she's grateful to be in the industry and considers music to be a healer.

Her next local appearance is scheduled for Blockhouse on Nov. 26. There are also dates set aside in early December in Mahone Bay and Halifax but the venues were not yet confirmed. Martell has already played shows in Cape Breton and Petite Riviere.

Liverpool, Chester, Truro and Halifax are identified for show locations in April

Those who live in Ontario can expect a tour stop this spring, the dates of which will be determined.

To learn more about Martell and her music, check out https://kristenmartell.com.