Paige Martin

Paige Martin, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter, chats to Sam Rowlands about making music, her favourite spots in Brighton and her journey so far.

When did you start making Music?

I started learning guitar when I was 10 and then I started writing – my dad is a great lyricist so he helped me out a lot. I started gigging when I was 14 and then after school I did music at college, followed by BIMM.

When did you decided you wanted to pursue music as a career?

I really loved English literature and science during school, I actually wanted to do meteorology but I’m rubbish at maths and that put me off. It feels so natural to do music, that I think it would be wrong for me to be doing anything else.

What made you choose Brighton as the place to do this?

It was really last minute coming here, I was just going to try and make it after I had finished college but that idea was scary. A friend had been to BIMM and recommended it to me so I came here to do songwriting.

What is the plan for you after university?

I’m going to be managing a party shop in Guildford, so I’ll be earning a bit more money, which is good. I’ll have three days a week in Brighton spare so they’re going to be my days to crack down on music. I love to write songs for people as well, so I’d like to try and get that on the go too. I’m moving into a new flat and just getting settled into my next phase of life.

What are you doing musically at the moment?

I’ve been trying to write with producers, but I’m just waiting to find the right producer and band for my music. I’ve been focusing on my home production and just really trying to figure out what sound I want. It’s been manic recently on top of all my other work.

What is your favourite venue in Brighton?

Probably Marwoods on Ship Street, all of the gigs I have had there have been so intimate and it is just really lovely. I’ve always had such a great response in there.

You recently recorded in All Saints Church in Hove, how was that experience?

It was nice, the sound is amazing because it’s so big. I hadn’t done a video like that before, it was a really enjoyable experience. I’d never played with cellist Asher Howarth before and I’d love to play with him again in the future though, it went down really well.

What has been the highlight in your career so far?

Playing at Rhythms Of The World festival in Hitchin a few years ago. It’s probably the biggest thing I have done. It doesn’t really matter where, I just love to play and people to be there singing my lyrics back to me. It’s the most amazing thing.

Who are your inspirations?

I’ve always loved Eva Cassidy, I grew up obsessed with all of her albums. When I was young, my hobby was to just sing along to Eva Cassidy. I love Diane Warren and Justin Tranter, he’s writing all the big pop songs at the moment. He writes for Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, he has got it down.

What advice would you give to other young musicians?

Just try not to panic because opportunities do come around. I definitely did panic last year about what I was going to do. Just enjoy yourselves.

• Paige is performing at The Brunswick, Cornwell Gardens, Hove, on June 23, 8pm.

Find out more soundcloud.com/paige-martin or reverbnation.com/paigemartin