The Independence Project
The Independence Project is the creation of Rebecca Martin, formerly of the band Once Blue. The Independence Project is a concept, and creation of having three artists play in a region for a set period of time each year. Over time, different cells are set up in different regions and rotate. Over time they cross the country. This artist development is original and not restricted to women. For more information, go to www.rebeccamartin.com/ind.htm
FEMMUSIC was privileged to catch up with Rebecca Martin a few weeks ago. Here is what she said:
| FEMMUSIC: How long have you been playing music professionally?RM: I never really thought about my music as a “profession” until I moved to New York City.
I came to the city at a very young age, and I’ve been performing here almost the entire time. The first steady working group I was in (Once Blue) started playing out in the city pretty regularly in 1994. It was in the fall of that year that EMI Records offered us a record deal. FEMMUSIC: You’ve gone from a full band in popular music, to playing as a solo artist acoustically. What have been your biggest obstacles doing so? RM: I’ve always thought of myself as a solo artist. I had never envisioned having a “group” until I met Jesse (my partner in Once Blue). The only obstacles there have been from making the transition to being on my own again have been ones I have made. The last two years have taken a lot of energy and focus… FEMMUSIC: How has being a woman helped or hindered your musical career? RM: I’m not one for making excuses on my position in life because I am a woman. I have experienced difficult situations that were sexist but, the music and sounds I create as well as the life I lead aren’t contingent on what anyone may do or say or think. It is and has been entirely up to me…. FEMMUSIC: Please explain your view of what the Independence Project is? RM: “The Independence Project” was organized to help artists develop their music and sound by way of live performance. By frequenting a region (once every four months) then adding a new one each year, we can nurture an artist’s audience that will support them through their entire career. FEMMUSIC: What are your long term goals with the Independence Project? RM: I expect the artists (there are five working with the project now *Myself, Larry John McNally, Dorothy Scott, Frank Tedesso and Timothy Hill*, soon to be six) to become strong and confident in the music that they make. I want the project to be a safe place for an artist to grow. Making music requires all of us to work hard on our own, but it is important to have a professional situation to work within that is constant. I want the project to grow in the next few years. I look forward to adding new artists to work within the project. At the moment, I am doing everything from mailing lists to tour managing so it has been essential to start small. FEMMUSIC: What role do you see the Independence Project playing in the development of emerging artists? RM: Like all the other wonderful projects that are popping up, a very big one. The overly commercial music business doesn’t seem to need an artist in the true sense…it seems to me most are content with creating personalities who are willing to do anything their company asks of them. That, unfortunately, is the American way… There is so much creative work to be done…what I think “The Independence Project” is doing (as I’ve said before) is creating a way for artists to develop, work professionally and build strong relationships with other artists who have similar goals and beliefs… In this way, we are creating a force that I believe will make a difference in peoples lives. FEMMUSIC: How do you select an artist to play for the Independence Project? RM: It is all very subjective, but ultimately I select the artists involved. Because we tour in groups of threes, I try to match like artists and most of which have been at it for a very long time. FEMMUSIC: What sort of venues are ideal for the Independence Project? Why? RM: Venues that are listening rooms with “Talent Buyers” who care about the integrity of their artists and audience… FEMMUSIC: What role does the Independence Project, and similar projects nationwide (Women From Mars, RESPOND, Voices on the Verge, etc.) play in the development of the music industry, and for music as a whole? RM: I’m not sure if the music industry is aware of all that is going on at the street level. I have had many conversations with different people who work intimately within the business that seem more concerned with the implications of MP3. There are artists helping artists again…there is a new confidence amongst the artists I hear and a support system that is developing I am happy to see. There is a heightened awareness of our own ability to be responsible for our musical careers… FEMMUSIC: How long have you projected before the Independence Project crossed the nation? RM: Five years…the plan is to focus on one area of the United States (i.e. the Northeast) for an entire year, once every four months for two weeks. Each year, we’ll add a new region to the already existing two weeks until we have made our way across country and are working approximately five months of the year. FEMMUSIC: What has been your best experience so far with the Independence Project? RM: Watching it come to life…it has been incredible to see what goodness comes out of the artists night after night. FEMMUSIC: What has been your biggest obstacle with the Independence Project? RM: Not taking things so personally. I’ve had to wear a lot of hats. FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to a woman artist just starting out? RM: Work hard at being expressive, open, loving, but above all, protect your most precious natural resource. |