Day 32: Javier Martinez - Honesty
If life’s a dream, then why’s there so much pain?
This weekend has been fairly eventful on my end. Aside from the usual homework that requires attending to, I had a host of other activities to keep me busy: one of which was a local show. This particular show, in fact, was the last time I intend to play locally for quite a while (barring the unlikely event that I attain a reeeaally great gig offer or something).
Aside from this event, I wanted to take the time to devote one of the many days of One Hundred Days, One Hundred Albums to my good friend Javier Martinez and his newest EP release, Honesty. It was around 2:00 pm yesterday that I nearly had completed the blog entry, of which I was especially proud. I had had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to Honesty and I had felt as though my deep appreciation of my friend’s talents was readily transparent in the text.
Fate (or rather, my general clumsiness) had ulterior intent.
Long story short, my stubby, awkward hands pressed a wrong key - be it on the mouse or the keyboard itself I am unsure. Regardless, my computer conveniently decided to turn itself off and my blog post was to be lost in the void that is circumvented electrical power.
So yeah, I accidentally deleted the post by unintentionally turning off my computer. It was kind of a total bummer.
Anyway. Let’s introduce some of you to Javier:
A little over a year ago, while I was recording The Worst Kind of Curse, I started noticing a previously unrecognized name that would occasionally pop up in my news feed. As his posts were usually music-related, I gathered fairly quickly that he was a local songwriter. Shortly thereafter, this individual (alright, fine, you guessed it, I’m talking about Javi.) started posting updates regarding a summer tour he had taken under his belt. What garnered the majority of my interest, however, was the approach to touring which he had undertaken.
Javi had set off on this tour completely on his lonesome. I recognize that many do this, but am I wrong in thinking that far more typically don’t? Moreover, he had resorted to camping in lieu of relying on the potential hospitality of others or seeking out a hotel in which to stay. I was startled at the uniqueness of his adventure.
Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t at all being critical of this method of touring. On the contrary, I was completely mesmerized by the idea of it. I find that so much of my creativity often relies on feeling an interconnection to the world that surrounds me: and not merely the people in that world, but also very much the physical, natural aspect of things. I figured that if anything, Javi’s approach would help in facilitating creativity.
Isn’t creativity also often borne out of struggle? Camping isn’t terribly difficult, but after a repeated amount of days, I’m certain that it no longer feels like the most comfortable of experiences.
All of this might be conjecture on my part. The point to all of this banter is this: I saw Javier’s approach to not only touring, but music in general, as incredibly refreshing. I knew shortly thereafter that I wanted to hear him play - and I wanted to become his friend. Now, I’m happy to report that both of those things did, in fact, happen.
Equally as important, I’ve grown incredibly fond of his music. There’s a certain authenticity that Javier brings to what he does. His sincerity in lyrical and vocal delivery is difficult to replicate. I honestly believe that few are capable of translating it as effectively.
Also, he likes performing in his socks and I think that’s kinda rad. It goes back to that whole “getting closer to nature in order to feel inspired” thing I was talking about earlier. I totally dig it.
Okay, look at this now:
The thing with Javier is that lyrically, he never needs to overstate the necessary. The emotion behind his words is more often than not subtle, yet the passion in his delivery serves as a dynamic counter to this. The two create a dichotomous effect that resonates throughout all of his work, linking it together in a certain, unique style.
It’s Javi’s style, dude. And it rules.
Take the lyric I introduced this passage with for example, which can be found on the third track of Honesty: Cherries. There’s a certain matter-of-factness to what Javier says. The line is absent of cluttered imagery or simile. It’s honest. It’s guarded, yet vulnerable. I think that might be the best way I can summarize Javier Martinez’s lyrical style: he’s guarded, yet vulnerable in most aspects: be it love, hope, heartache, or loss. This lyrical style is combined with a yearning vocal delivery. The two have a truly fantastic pairing. It remains consistent in Javier’s music. It’s my favorite part of his music.
Reader, my eyes are heavy and school awaits me in a few short hours. Thanks for checking this blog out once more and remaining as a part in my creative process. Please, please give Javier Martinez’s newest release, Honesty, a listen. You will be a better person because of it.
Til tomorrow,
Emily