Afternoon Celtic Session! Come up and enjoy music from Alba, the Emerald Isle and more…3-6pm Free

Afternoon Celtic Session! Come up and enjoy music from Alba, the Emerald Isle and more…3-6pm Free

21st century troubadour Joe Martin has brought together a body of work that serves as a bridge between musical generations with his second studio album Alone In Valentine. Taking inspiration from the golden years of Americana and branding it with his own unique stamp. Not only does the music draw heavily from Martin's influences of 70's American country/folk, but the album itself was recorded with Cal Campbell and Cornelius Webb, sons of the legendary Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb at the Campbell residence in Nashville, Tennessee. Cal Campbell assembled some of music city's finest players to guest on the record which was mostly cut live over seven days. This album has something for everyone, with songs reminiscent of Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and more contemporary artists such as Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, John Paul White and Colter Wall who make up the core of Martin's musical influences. The story of how the album came to be is one of serendipity, determination and a sprinkle of good luck.

Joe was introduced through a mutual friend to Cornelius "Gooseman" Webb at local's bar 'Bastion' in Wedgewood, during his visit to Nashville in 2024. After winning a "beer powered" push up competition against Goose outside the bar, he was invited along with the group for the rest of the evening and picked up an acoustic guitar somewhere along the way. He performed his original song 'Man You Need' that features on the album and wowed Goose with his voice and lyrics. The next day, Cornelius introduced Joe to Cal Campbell. The group hit it off and Joe asked if they would both help produce his next record, they agreed.

The wistful title of the album was born during a co-write with filmmaker and songwriter Steve Anderson. Anderson's film making career in LA saw him work with actors such as Jon Favreau, Sean Bean and Billy Connolly and he has most recently directed a documentary film about Nashville's singer songwriter scene called '10 Year Town'. Joe recalls the moment the song and album title came to be.

"I took an idea to Steve telling a story of a lonely woman travelling in a Silverado through Southern Colorado down to Texas. Maybe she was running away from a bad relationship, a heartbreak of some kind. In the end, the story took a twist and it is revealed that she is widowed, visiting all the places they said they would visit together, but she is visiting them alone. The final verse reveals the reason, scattering his ashes on the Rio Grande river... It was heavy, but a line that Steve threw out hit me like a train!

"Tequila in the evening, alone in Valentine"

When I asked what Valentine was, Steve explained it was a place in West Texas (though there are a few Valentines around the States) this one fit into the story geographically. I loved the line. I remember that I kept pacing around the room saying 'Alone in Valentine... what a great line!' I knew then it had to be the album title. When I found out Cal and Cornelius wanted to work on the record with me, I told Steve. Half joking, he floated the idea that we should travel to Valentine to get the artwork and videos. I thought, 'let's go big or go home’, and so, Valentine it was!"

Traversing the desert landscapes in a beat up Silverado, they drove across West Texas from El Paso to Marfa. The album artwork was shot at the Texas Valentine Bar in Valentine, population 73.

Joe says the mantra of this album is 'made by humans, for humans'. It was done the old fashioned way, with no shortcuts or trickery. In the current world of AI music and overbaring production, creating something in a pure and old school way is refreshing and should be celebrated.

Alone In Valentine is the album you didn't know you needed in your life, but you’re sure glad it is. You can order a limited copy vinyl or CD from joemartinmusic.com