When a long term relationship ends, people handle it differently. Some people drink, other move while others throw themselves into work.
Five years ago, rapper/ hip hop musician Josh Martinez did all of the above.
He moved from Vancouver to Portland, Oregon, started drinking heavily then threw himself into working an several projects including his record label Camobear Music and Publishing and his band the Chicharones and, finally, a new solo album, “Blotto”, the long awaited follow up to his 2008 album Josh Martinez and the World Famous Sex Buffet.”
“When I focused on it, it took me about six months, but it took five years of looking for those six months to work on it,” Martinez explained from his Portland home, getting ready for the upcoming tour which comes to the Slice, Nov. 15.
He drew inspiration from co-producers , songwriter Sapient and engineer Stuey Kubrick who helped him with the recording process in Vancouver.
“I usually do it all by myself. I usually record the lyrics where ever I am. I look at it as building a house. The lyrics are the foundation and I build on top of that. This time I was more willing to be coached by two voices I really respect,” he continued adding they made concrete suggestions about what to cut and what to add. The result is a simpler affair than previous efforts.
“There are a lot less layers of vocals, which is what I used to do,” he said.
“There is a more specific concept to this album,” he said.
He recorded it in Vancouver at a new studio.
“ It took way longer than I intended,” he said adding he was working a lot with his band and with running his record label over that time.
The result has been worth it.
“ I’m just excited to go on the road and show people this music.”
The live show is also a lot simpler.
“We’re heading out on the road with a more stripped down show, with just myself and my DJ. Before I’d have a band and lights and dancers. This time I want to words to speak for themselves and didn’t want to bring a circus,” he said.
“I want it to be a more visceral experience,” he continued.
He played Lethbridge three or four years ago at Henotic in the old firehall
“It has been a long time so it is nice people haven’t forgotten about me,” he said.
He is enjoying living in Portland.
“It’s a small, quirky city and there are lots of good restaurants and I love the eat,” he enthused “There are a lot of young chefs here. This is where they test out an idea if they are thinking of opening a restaurant in New York or Los Angeles,” he said.
“I love it. The food is great and the cost of living is reasonable. I basically got priced out if Vancouver,” he said,” adding he still spends a lot of time on the road.
“When I come home, I like to be in a place where I can be anonymous and just do the things I like to do,” he continued adding he also enjoying following the Portland Trailblazers professional basketball team.
“ The music here is excellent. There are a lot of little scenes. And people are very supportive,” he said.
He is excited about the new CD “Blotto,” which, among other things was inspired by his bouts with drinking.
“ When that relationship ended, I drank a lot,” he said.
“ And Blotto means a condition of blacking out, often due to drinking,” he continued.
“ it (recording the album) was away for me to express myself about those feelings,” he said.
“I put in a lot of time of reflection on my life and the circumstances and accepting my past,” he continued.
“ So the CD is about a lot of stuff about experiencing loss, coming to terms with it and growing from it,” he said.
Despite the somewhat bittersweet subject matter, the CD sounds like an upbeat pop album.
“It’s interesting to juxtapose the darker themes with the musicality. So it’s pretty cool.
I always love musicality and melody. I listened to a lot of Beach Boys and a lot of ’80s pop music,” he continued.
“ That’s the kind of approach I like — catchy melodies and subject matter. It’s not all about love and girls,” he said.
The show, which also features Pzeudo and Steezy Ray, begins at 9 p.m at the Slice. There is a $10 cover.
