photo by Jose Pincheira
Australia based multi-instrumentalist/producer Las Mar (aka Nick Martyn) on the percussive shape-shifting Weekend Repair jams on anti-pop / prog rock lines, funk affections, linear movements that seems to extend out and move back in close, an internal combustion of sound and Martyn's vocal aesthetic that feels as free form as it does precise in tone and temperament. Scattershot and tight might seem like irreconcilable musical positions but they are not as one can throw guitar lines out precisely but in an improvisational way and you feel this happening here. Love the wild abandon whether it is wild or not. Digging this and wish it went on longer.
“I wrote this song about the moves we must make to survive in a rapidly changing world. It’s a song for wiping the slate clean (or life doing it for you) and being pushed into personal growth. It’s also about parting ways with obsolete ways of thinking, stagnant ideas or damaging relationships. To break a cycle takes force and will-power - Weekend Repair pays homage to the movements, and individuals, that must gather this force to succeed. Percussion-heavy drumming and sharp guitars create the perfect undertow for exposed, urgent vocals. My usual polyrhythms are more subtle here in favour of a pumping, bass-driven momentum and a big final chorus.” - Las Mar
-Robb Donker Curtius
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Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Nick Martyn (Las Mar) discovered a love of music as a child in the cassettes and LPs of his parents and grandparents, consisting mostly of the great rock bands of the 60’s and 70’s, European folk music, classical symphonies and early American jazz. The first “lightbulb moment” came at seven years of age witnessing a performance by Stomp, the UK percussion group. The raw, sweaty energy; the huge range of unusual clanging sounds; the humour and theatrics, all made a huge impression on a young mind. Overnight he became “that” kid banging on pots and pans, driving the siblings and parents mad. It wasn’t until twelve years-of-age that he had the opportunity to drive the neighbours mad as well - with a brand-new, shiny red drum kit. Playing and learning as much as possible all through the teens eventually led to a Bachelor of Music at Monash University, where he met long- time collaborators Simon Mavin (Hiatus Kaiyote) and Nic Lam (DX Heaven). Studying music offered an opportunity to explore jazz improvisation, ethnomusicology, composition and be exposed to one of the best music libraries in Australia.
By the time he finished his degree, Nick was performing and touring constantly with his first international touring experience taking him to Turkey with psych/funk/reggae band Unified Gecko. Cutting his teeth in Melbourne’s amazing live scene, always practicing and experimenting, led to working with some of Australia’s most highly regarded musicians such as Gotye, D.D Dumbo, Matt Corby, Nai Palm, Husky and Barney McAll. Later, Nick was a founding member of Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, winning awards (like ABC Radio National’s Album of the Year in 2012) and selling out shows across the USA and Europe.
It was during these formative years Nick achieved the weird and wonderful like gathering a cult audience in Tokyo with trad jazz larrikins The Lagerphones; touring China with Circus Oz; recording jingles with the Cat Empire; writing music for food and coffee blogs (Standart, goodcoffe.me); “acting” on Australian hit TV show Offspring (as a drummer of course); studying percussion in Havana under Afro-Cuban maestro Changuito and touring with one of his musical heroes - NYC punk icon James Chance as a member of his legendary band The Contortions.
In the midst of all this Nick was compelled to create a unique project, something to call “home” creatively and to try on the hat as songwriter, producer, vocalist and sole performer. A journey into DIY recording began with borrowed instruments and microphones, funneling disparate influences like Sonic Youth, Aphex Twin, Cornelius and Miles Davis into one artistic voice. Las Mar was born. Later came an EP (Luddite 2015) and LP (Euphemist 2016) with a new album due for release in 2020. Nick has also developed a live show as Las Mar featuring his complex drumming wizardry, angelic vocals and experimental synth sounds, delivering a totally original, multi-textured and detailed sound all the while being the only person on stage.
Nick also currently works as a Musical Director for the show “Backbone” by Gravity & Other Myths, one of Australia’s leading contemporary circus companies.
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