The music landscape is constantly evolving, and Monterey-based Peter Barnes Martin is at the forefront of this change. Once a jazz artist, he is now transitioning to indie and exploring new sounds. His new album, "The Lake," is being released one single at a time, a unique approach in today's music business.

Unraveling the Journey of a Monterey Musician

Adapting to the Changing Music Industry

The music industry has witnessed a significant transformation. While vinyl pressings are making a comeback, the giants like Spotify and Apple Music still dominate. Peter Barnes Martin, a Monterey-based artist, is adapting to this change. He is evolving from jazz to indie, and it is paying off. His latest single, "Joy," dropped on December 13th, and he is releasing the full album by 2025, one single at a time. This project, funded by a grant from the Arts Council for Monterey County, is a first for him. Performing live is sacred to him, and he is recording with Jesse DeCarlo, his recording engineer, thanks to a $5,000 individual artist grant from Arts4MC. They are polishing sounds in the studio every week, getting ready for the next release.This one-track-at-a-time process is not typical, but it works in today's music landscape. It is a marketing strategy as streaming services promote artists who do this. It helps with the engagement of prior material and gets new releases pushed on their radio.The older ways of discovering music, like college radio stations and brick-and-mortar stores, are declining. Social media is where new artists are getting discovered, and Martin is taking advantage of this. In just over a year, he has over 3,300 monthly listeners on Spotify. His latest single, "Falling Forward," released on November 8th, is already at the top of his most-played song list.

From Jazz to Americana

While Martin is sorting out the marketing of his songs on streaming services, his work is evolving towards singer-songwriter Americana sounds. It was a natural next step for him. He feels that we all go through difficulties and need to pick ourselves up. This second project is more about pausing and reflecting on his relationships.Martin moved to Monterey County in 2021 with his wife and found a home in the jazz community. He teaches and is planning to hold free workshops for high school students. Before moving, he had never added vocals to his work; only guitar. His debut album, "Anywhere is Home," released in 2023, marked a first step in his transformation. Now he regularly performs original songs at live shows.The next album is about settling into his new space rather than searching for it. A large part of "The Lake" is reflection and self-search. It made him question how he writes music and made him interested in dealing with negative emotions.

Live Performances and New Works

Opening for John Hiatt at the Golden State Theatre on November 2nd, Martin debuted many new Americana works in front of a live audience. He knew how important this was in his career, and once on stage, it felt welcoming and familiar. He was able to share his story through his music.Martin plans to release a series of essays based on his journal entries to accompany the album while following a business-wise successful process. He is reconsidering his attachment to jazz.Some of the greatest art pieces are born from tragedy and negativity. For Martin, delving deeper into these emotions is unlocking his full potential and allowing him to evolve as a songwriter.Meanwhile, his new album is building piece by piece on Spotify and Apple Music, following the rules of the online platforms.Peter Barnes Martin plays regularly at various venues in Monterey County. He performs with a jazz trio on Wednesday nights at Pearl Hour in Monterey. peterbarnesmartin.com