A regular of South East Queensland's music scene as a session player and member of other bands for close to 20 years, Nikolaine Martin is stepping into the spotlight to front his own band.
With jazz-infused blues and roots brimming with fat, rhythmic riffs that's as authentic as any Memphis or Nashville dive-bar, plus honky keys, sassy bass and spirited drumming, Nikolaine is ready to showcase 'One Of Them', the first single from his forthcoming debut album.Recorded live at Lovestreet Studios (mixed by Scott French and Nell Forster, mastered by Paul Blakey), 'One Of Them' is a song about betrayal, manipulation, and exclusion, but where the truth prevails in the end.
Delightful, vivid, bluesy guitar fingerpicking opens proceedings that's countered by striking, intense drumming that quickly escalates into a moody, gnarly, swaying, almost rollicking jam-out as the saucy, searing bass enters the fray.
Then Nikolaine's earthy yet raw, unrestrained vocals add serious grunt to the song, before an emotive-rich breakdown two-thirds through the song, where Martin allows his voice to amplify the bruised tones seeping through the melody. It's potent stuff.
The song powers home strong with duelling drums and slide guitar creating a wall of noise that demands a cheeky head-bang or three. It's a Nashville-styled romp perfect to let loose any negative energy surrounding you.
"It's about self discovery and reflection and embracing, becoming your authentic self, overcoming inner struggles from society's perceptions," Nikolaine says. "The lyrics reference a specific period in time in my life, feeling very isolated form a peer group, the truth prevails in the end."
Who is Nikolaine Martin... I've been playing live in South East Queensland for the past 15-plus years, originally from the Northern Rivers of NSW, Byron Bay. Found myself in Brisbane, and grew community here. Playing in bands, going to lots of jams, as I'm not theory based, I watched bands and drew inspirations from them.
Through my younger years, gig hopping was my primary focus. I loved and was a fan of watching local and national bands. My first incarnation of my originals was with Blue Honey back in 2011.
I sound like... It's so hard to answer this question. I'll take Nashville, Memphis, swampy mix of genres, everything but heavy metal. I call myself jazz-infused blues and roots, blues and roots infused funky with uplifting folk undertones. If Jon Cleary or Ray Charles had a bebe with Kasey Chambers. We just love playing; it's life affirming.
Our first gig was... Ooo that's a hard one, we've done countless shows. I've a terrible sense of time; probably with my first former originals incarnation called Blue Honey. Maybe old-school Satchamo's or Lock n load in West End. I organised a big show at The Zoo back in 2011 that was packed; there's been countless gigs, I can't pinpoint it.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... When I first started putting a band together, it became a 'band name' aka Blue Honey. Since then, I've had incarnations of musicians play, and diversify, on who's available at the time.
Time goes on and people move on with their lives. I decided to step into my power and own, so it turned into Nikolaine & Blue honey, then just Nikolaine Martin. Drummer Scotty B has been a rather constant existing member for the past 13-14 years.
In the studio I usually... Well, with this upcoming album, that 'One Of Them' is the first single from, we recorded live, which was challenging, editing, timing, over playing, a real learning curve. I'm an improv musician, so I had to have the structures down pat for the band to follow; a challenge, which always change haha.
If I could tour with anyone... So many! Kasey Chambers, Vika and Linda, Jon Cleary, Chase The Sun (Aust), not the heavy metal band haha!
My favourite app at the moment is... Instagram, good traction sometimes with the public, besides blocking sexually explicit bots, that have a tonne their following but no followers, suspicious.
Life on the road can be... The tour is coming so we'll let you know.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... Bourbons, burgers, buffalo wings and a nice pale ale my drummer Scott says.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Jamie Lee Curtis – just an overall kick-arse woman and ally. Bonny Raitt – blues woman with grit, who's done the hard yards all her life and would have a great understanding and vision. Jon Cleary – a class-A working musician.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Nashville or New Orleans to jam out, learn and get a keys lesson in person with Jon Cleary, and immerse myself in the music culture.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... The Waifs, constant in my life; met previously once before and they we're genuinely beautiful people I could easily hang with.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Roast lamb chops and veggies would be my chosen last meal.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Gimme all the doggos and cats; genuinely when I'm at a party and there's a fur baby, that's where my attention goes.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Gentleman Jack.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Last week! Like a good weight session.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? House chores, I enter a room and it explodes into a lived in mess, go figure.
Do you have any phobias... Spiders over the size of 10cm – no, nope, yay-nah.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Only if there was an incentive.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? I'm guilty of a bacon deluxe, Hungry Jacks binge.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Popeye: Clumsy but strong, lighthearted and silly but full of depth; I love my greens, I yam what I yam.
Last show you binge-watched? The new 'A League Of Their Own'. Bloody awesome version.
Nikolaine Martin plays DooBop Jazz Bar (Brisbane) 6 May.
