LIVE: Christina Martin @ The Sound Lounge

by | Jul 13, 2017

Nova Scotia singer and songwriter Christina Martin recently released her new single Lungs Are Burning and toured the UK, visiting ten cities from York and Cheshire to London and Brighton. I was lucky enough to catch her intimate performance in one of London’s smallest but newest clubs, The Sound Lounge in Tooting.

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Although Christina has released six studio albums and spent 15 years building her solo career, I discovered her music only recently. And, after the evening at Sound Lounge, I can’t stop asking myself why it took me so long.

The night opens with Gabrielle Papillon who, with only an acoustic guitar to accompany her, performs the most magical and spellbinding set. The Canadian artist creates a world of soft tones and raw emotions, telling some personal stories in between the songs. Most touching is the harrowing tale of life and death coming together on a stormy night that introduces the heart-moving Go Into The Night and causes a few tears to flow.

Gabrielle Papillon opening for Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Gabrielle Papillon opening for Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Gabrielle isn’t the only opener of the night. Jules Talbot, from Suffolk, introduces the audience to his debut work, combining catchy guitar rhythms and an informal storytelling style with a strong voice and great sense of humour. His short performance left me curious about his music; sadly he’s the evening’s only performer without any albums for sale.

Jules Talbot opening for Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Jules Talbot opening for Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Although daylight is beginning to fade, the temperature certainly hasn’t dropped by the time Christina Martin takes to the stage. It’s unlikely the East Coaster was expecting tropical temperatures when she booked her flight to the UK, but she faces the heatwave bravely, even asking the audience to point to the sweatiest band member at the end of their performance.

Christina Martin & Dale Murray @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin & Dale Murray @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

The de facto “winner” is drummer Justin Johnson, although the other members of the band (her life/music partner and guitarist Dale Murray, bassist Callum Williams) are close runners up. Their state shows just how much effort they put into their set, which begins with I’ve Got A Gun, a soft, almost country-sounding track off her most recent album, I’ll Be Alright.

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

From the off, Christina connects with the audience and treats fans to a mix of songs and personal stories. This is clearly the night of storytellers, and as much as I enjoy Gabrielle and Jules, Christina takes it to an entirely different level.

She speaks about her musical influences (and jokingly asks that if anyone meets David Bowie they should pass on her thanks for being an inspiration), and even performs an epic cover of  Leonard Cohen’s Tonight Will Be Fine.

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

But it’s her own songs that make me think I’ve lost decades worth of music. Puppet Museum (with its Bruce Springsteen-influenced guitar riff), the minimalist Take Me Back In A Dream (uncovering the depth and beauty of her voice),  and very personal Reaching Out clearly demonstrate why she is a multi award-winning singer and songwriter. By the end of the night, the Halifax-based musician has landed herself a few more fans, including myself.

Christina Martin & Dale Murray @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin & Dale Murray @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

The set closes with the breathtaking Lungs Are Burning, the first single from her forthcoming seventh studio album, due in November. With intriguing vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, Dale’s haunting guitar, and a moving story behind the lyrics, the song suggests the new album can’t come soon enough.

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Christina Martin @ Sound Lounge (Edyta Krzesak)

Live Review and Photography by Edyta K

Christina Martin @ The Sound Lounge, 7th July 2017

Nils van der Linden chatted with Christina Martin just before her performance at The Sound Lounge, to find out about her plans, the challenges of touring, and why she became a musician in the first place. You can read the interview and see the accompanying portraits by Edyta K here: Christina Martin, Old Memories New Perspective.

https://rockshotmagazine.com/27717/interview-christina-martin-old-memories-new-perspective/

Sting @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Latitude Festival 2025 Day One: Sting Shines, Basement Jaxx Bring The Heat & Rising Stars Steal The Spotlight

Friday at Latitude Festival 2025 launched three days of genre-crossing celebration with an eclectic, emotionally rich...
Good Charlotte (Jen Rosenstein)

Good Charlotte Unveil Empowering New Single ‘Stepper’ Ahead Of Eighth Album ‘Motel Du Cap’

Genre-blurring pop-punk icons Good Charlotte continue their triumphant return with the release of the official video for latest single Stepper. Marking another taste of their highly anticipated eighth studio album Motel Du Cap, due out on 8th August, the track is an infectious anthem of perseverance, underscored by the band’s signature mix of honest lyricism, swaggering hooks, and high-octane rock energy.

Dylan Gossett (Tanner Johnson)

Dylan Gossett Rides ‘Westward’ With Self-Produced Debut Album

Emerging as one of country music’s most compelling breakout artists, Dylan Gossett has officially released his long-awaited debut album Westward, a bold 17-track journey that showcases the Texas native’s deeply personal storytelling, genre-blurring style, and self-made ethos. Released via Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records, Westward marks a significant milestone for the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer—who wrote and self-produced the entire album.

Hannah McFarland (Chris Ashlee)

Hannah McFarland Joins Riley Green’s UK Tour This September Following Breakout Year And Acclaimed EP ‘Broken Hearts’

Fast-rising Alabama-born country artist Hannah McFarland is set to make her UK live debut this September as the official support act for Riley Green’s UK and Ireland tour. The announcement marks a milestone moment for the Broken Hearts singer-songwriter, who has spent 2025 building unstoppable momentum with her emotionally candid music and compelling live performances.

Idlewild (Euan Robertson)

Idlewild Announce Self-Titled Album & Share Stirring New Single ‘It’s Not The First Time’

Scottish alternative rock stalwarts Idlewild have followed up the announcement of their first album in six years with...
Tim Wheeler of Ash @ Wembley Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Announce Ninth Studio Album ‘Ad Astra’ Alongside New Single ‘Give Me Back My World’

Northern Ireland’s enduring power-pop trio Ash have announced their hotly anticipated ninth studio album, Ad Astra,...
Madi Diaz (Allister Ann)

Madi Diaz Announces Haunting New Album ‘Fatal Optimist’, Shares Raw Lead Single ‘Feel Something’

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Madi Diaz has announced her much-anticipated new album, Fatal Optimist, set for release on...
For Those I Love (Hugh Quberzk)

For Those I Love Announces Second Album ‘Carving The Stone’, Shares Ferocious New Single ‘Mirror’

Dublin-based poet, producer, and musical agitator David Balfe — better known as For Those I Love — is charging back into the spotlight with the announcement of his much-anticipated second album Carving The Stone, set for release on 8th August via September Recordings.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing