Andy Martin On The Struggles And Rewards Of Being A Musician: ‘It’s Raw, It’s Uncomfortable, But It’s Also Incredibly Human’

Growing up in Far North Queensland (FNQ) was both beautiful and complex. My surroundings were pristine and open, but in contrast, I found my environment to be stifling in many ways. The biases and inequities that people in minority groups faced felt like a permanent fixture, one that I couldn’t ignore. Even though I wasn’t directly affected in the same way, it pained me to see the discrimination and polarisation around me. Being someone who’s always felt things deeply, I struggled with how to fit in, often feeling that playing it safe or keeping quiet was easier than standing out—sometimes even when it felt against my own moral compass.

As I grew older, I found that music was the only place where I could express myself in ways I couldn’t elsewhere. I’ve always been drawn to music in ways which I can’t explain. I grew up playing the trumpet and really gave it my all. This pushed me into a space where I wanted to just teach myself other instruments by ear, listening to the radio and playing anything I could get my hands on. I was addicted and I still am! Music became a way to feel confident, to reconnect with my true self—a space where I didn’t need to compromise as much to fit in. 

I’ve always been an overthinker, with ADHD and OCD adding their own unique spiciness to my thoughts. I analyse, re-analyse, and sometimes get caught in spirals of regret, replaying even small social interactions over and over. Growing up, I used to cry myself to sleep over something I said or didn’t say, worrying about how I could have done things differently. Now, as an adult, those same tendencies linger, but I’ve started to see how they give me a deeper empathy in my music. They’ve shaped the way I approach collaboration and song writing, always pushing me to write in a way that feels genuine and authentic. 

I think a lot of musicians experience this conflict of feeling deeply yet having to live in a world that can sometimes feel indifferent or even harsh. Despite the struggles of trying to build a music career—the financial strain, the constant vulnerability of putting my emotions out there for others to dissect—there’s an unmatched reward in connecting with people through art. I’ve come to believe that the most impactful work comes from a place of honesty. It’s raw, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s also incredibly human. Feeling things deeply is both my greatest strength and Achilles' heel in music; it’s a blessing and a curse. 

I don’t think there is a “right track” in life, though society loves to sell us that myth. Growing up in a mostly conservative area, I was surrounded by people aiming for traditional markers of success: grades, careers, wealth, and all the rest. While I did well enough in school, I knew that wasn’t necessarily the path for me. My life has taken some unexpected turns, but that’s part of what makes it mine. Seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist over the past few years, studying something I deeply care about, and, most importantly, being around a community of people who see me for who I am, have all helped me grow in ways I never imagined. I don’t think I’ve changed at my core; I’ve just started to align my actions and values, feeling more comfortable with where I am and who I am.

Writing Exactly Where I’m Supposed to Be was like a weight lifted. In it, I address the “wicked game” of overthinking, a habit that has kept me locked in cycles of regret and anxiety. This song reminds me to root myself in the present, even if it’s a work in progress. Just a nice piece of cringe self-promo!!! Life doesn’t always go the way we think it should, or the way society tells us it should, and that’s okay. For the first time, I’m beginning to trust that the right path is simply the one that’s true to me. 

I’m actually quite proud of myself for where my music has taken me, touring alongside bands and artists I idolise and achieving things I never thought I could. It’s super cool! I just hope I can keep doing it, connecting with people, but most importantly doing life in a way that feels true to me. 

Andy Martin’s new single - Exactly Where I’m Supposed To Be - is out now. Head here to stream it.