Pool Of Sound - Martha Goddard

Martha Goddard grew up in Liverpool, just off Penny Lane which obviously meant her childhood was full of 'The Beatles'. She went to the same primary and secondary school as John Lennon which at the time meant very little to her. Yoko Ono even visited her classroom when she was about 5, however she was completely oblivious to who she was or what it meant. Martha had piano lessons when she was a young teenager which she enjoyed but never felt she was particularly skilled with. It wasn't until she started having singing lessons that she had an 'aha' moment when she felt she wasn't that bad. This gave her a confidence boost which was dearly needed as she was such a shy little girl. It was shortly after that she started attempting to write fully structured songs which weren't the best  but she kept writing and listening to artists that inspired her to try to improve her craft. She found the process so therapeutic that she couldn't ever stop and now it’s her passion in life. She is a huge fan of Kate Bush and has been since she was young and she is probably the most inspiring artist in her life. When she was about 10 she used to sit in front of the television and watch an old video tape of her music videos on repeat, in complete awe of her. 

You may know Martha as the lead singer of five-piece indie-pop band, 'Hushtones', previously covered here - (http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2021/08/pool-of-sound-hushtones.html ). These Liverpool favourites toured with 'She Drew The Gun', Tim Burgess, 'Space' and 'Red Rum Club'. Writing songs at a young age was a way for Martha to combat problems with social anxiety and it is this emotional connection to music that has helped her hone her skills ever since. Her deep connection to singing and songwriting can be traced back to the beginning of a journey that is profoundly personal. It was as a socially anxious child that Martha first discovered the healing power of creating, and began using music as an escape and a remedy. She has now also launched her solo career, following her own direction to great success. She says "Working on my own project alongside my band 'Hushtones' is quite freeing as I thrive on variation and new experiences. I'm a songwriter at my core and it's great to be able to co-write and build a project with others as well as having the challenge of doing something all on my own. My songs are a real reflection of me and it feels good to share."

Performing in Lady Lever's South Rotunda

As the singer of 'Hushtones', for the past few years, they have been recording with renowned producer, Steve Levine, and have been featured on BBC Radio Merseyside, Radio 6 Music and Radio 1 and added to many Spotify editorial playlists. 'Hushtones' continue to create as a collaborative project alongside Martha's solo debut. 'Fighter' is the second single from Martha after the success of 'Mirror Vision' and this debut track received huge support from BBC Introducing Merseyside, Mersey Radio as well as getting its first 6 Music spin thanks to Tom Robinson. The single 'Fighter' is a song caught between two extremes; strength and vulnerability. Drawing inspiration drawn from touchstone artists Kate Bush, Caroline Polachek and Sharon Van Etten, the song has already received airplay from BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC 6 Music.

In August 2023 she released another fresh single called 'Voices' which impressively debuted on BBC Radio 1. Martha's musical catalogue so far shows her distinctive take on the genre, with 'Voices' following in its footsteps. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Caroline Polachek, Kate Bush and Saron Van Etten, these influences can be heard within different parts of the track, from the effective use of backing vocals for haunting ambience, to the tonal spectrum being filled with electronic textures. It begins as a Synthwave styled track with glistening synthesised sounds rolling in and out of the view, all of which brilliantly brings a unique aesthetic to her already impressive single. It is instantly otherworldly with the deep bass and sparkling leads, mixed with Martha’s shimmering backing vocals. As the verse begins, the instrumentals refine to make room for the vocals whilst maintaining its driven feel. The unpredicted shift in intensity from verse to chorus is intriguing as it creates an emotional complexity that is perfectly crafted. It sets the tone for the gospel-esque vocals similar to that of Lana Del Ray, and Ellie Rowsell from 'Wolf Alice'. The haunting chorus suits the topic of the song of being trapped under someone’s spell and wanting to find your own voice. 

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2024/03/pool-of-sound-headfeeder.html