The Woman Behind The Name
Few artists capture the heart of a story quite like New Zealand musician, Lee Martin. With a voice that blends warmth, strength, and vulnerability, Martin has built a reputation as one of Aotearoa’s most authentic musical storytellers.
Born in South Africa and now based in Ōtautahi, she began studying classical guitar at the age of nine and developed a lifelong passion for songwriting and performance. Influenced by legendary artists such as Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Dire Straits, and Emmylou Harris, her music effortlessly weaves together elements of folk, country, rock, and blues.
Martin’s highly-acclaimed past releases, including the Lost Girl EP which came out in 2019, or Gypsy Soul and Dreamers Dawn, have earned chart success, international airplay, and a devoted following drawn to her honest lyrics and emotional depth. Known for her captivating live performances and genuine connection with audiences, Lee Martin continues to create music that inspires, comforts, and resonates long after the final note has faded.
Her latest album Marlene is more than a title—it is a homecoming. Across this raw and deeply introspective collection, Martin opens the door to the woman behind the stage name, tracing the seasons of her life from childhood memories to the person she is now.
How’d you first get into music?
My first memory was as a little girl seeing a video of someone performing live on stage (I think I was 4 or 5.) I immediately asked my mum to buy me a guitar and enrol me into lessons. Someone told my parents that you should only take up guitar when you are nine years old. So the long wait began! On my ninth birthday we went to a pawn shop and I got my first steel string guitar, and then, ironically, I was enrolled into classical guitar! NOT what I had in mind but I have waited so long that I didn’t dare complain. I loved it, despite the bleeding fingers from my high fretted, rusty steel string guitar. My guitar teacher soon intervened and told my mum to invest in a Nylon string guitar for me. So I got my first proper Yamaha and I was away! I was attached to that guitar, always practising and singing whenever I could. When I finally went to University, I met a girl in my hall of residence who also played guitar and sang so we started our first band called Southern Soul. Very ‘Wilson Phillips’ vibes. That’s how it all started, I just never stopped.
Who inspires your songwriting and creativity the most?
This is a tough one. I wouldn’t say anyone in particular, it is more where I’m at in my life and what I am going through. It is like an outlet for me. But it also always feels like the songs just use me as a vessel to travel though, like I have no say in the matter. I would sit down with my guitar and a song would just pour out of me. I can’t force it.
Tell me about Marlene. What inspired the overall theme and sound of this album?
My birth name is Marlene. I was named after the singer and actress Marlene Dietrich. No one really knows this. Because the songs on the album are so incredibly personal and follow themes from my childhood through to now, it just felt like the obvious choice to call it Marlene. The themes of the album stretch through from my childhood memories, major life events, my family and home town, trauma, addiction, heartbreak, pretty much every aspect up until the current day. I also really wanted to record ‘Nikita’ by Elton John. This is one of the songs that defines my childhood, hours spent falling asleep to that song as a child, mesmerised by the way music could make me feel. Everything just fell into place once I decided to call the album Marlene, almost like it was always meant to be this way. I’ve always really struggled with album artwork ideas (I always design my own covers), but this time it was as if it all just magically came together and made sense. The concept being seeing life through my eyes, as each person’s own life view is really the way it was seen through their own eyes. The cover consists of repetitive copies of my eye in different sizes. Inside the eyes you will find different images from my life, spanning from childhood up until now. Each image holds some relevance to one of the songs. The vinyl comes with a little magnifying glass so you can look for these little images. There are also a couple of hidden messages for those with exceptional eyesight.
How does this album differ from your previous work, both musically and personally?
This album has more of a country vibe, think Zach Bryan vibes. It is quite stripped back. I have different musicians playing on this album and I can’t be happier with the result. It is definitely a raw emotional album and we allowed the songs to become what they needed to be instead of forcing it into a specific direction. Personally, I am most proud of this body of work.
Was there a particular song on the album that was especially challenging or rewarding to create?
A challenging one for me was ‘might as well dance’. It just didn’t want to groove… We nearly cut it, to be honest. The song is about me literally dying. I got pneumonia which turned into sepsis while we were in Rarotonga performing at the different resorts. I got so sick and had to be hospitalised, I nearly died! The song is about what it feels like to feel the life drain out of you, your body shutting down and feeling like you are actually dying and how I had a new lease on life after surviving that! Might as well dance while I’m still alive!
I really wanted this song to work, but to be honest, Henare Kaa (the producer) had to work his magic to make this song what it ended up being on the album. I love it now, but it was a massive challenge sonically to start off with.
Were there any artists, experiences, or events that influenced the direction of the album?
I think it is mainly my life experiences that influences my music. I try not to be influenced by other people and maybe that is why my songs never really quite fit into a specific genre, and I like that!
Do you have a favourite track on the album, and if so, why does it stand out to you?
My favourite track on the album is “I’d change it all”. I think that everyone really felt the emotion behind it so recording this track in studio was magical. I think it is the type of song that will be touching people deeply. Hopefully anyway.
What has been the best musical experience you’ve had, on or off the stage?
There are so many. I love when a new song comes to me, and I perform a brand new song for the first time after writing it.
I also love love love it when we are in-studio recording an album. I love everyone’s creative input and there is nothing quite like listening to the finished product!
Being on stage, my previous album launch at the Piano, being in that flow state and singing to an attentive audience that is there for the music! I live for these moments!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A friend advised me after I confided in her about being worried about starting again with my music career after moving, that I would not get booked, and even if I did, I didn’t have a sound system.
She told me to go straight to the music shop, buy a sound system and that is the first step. After that the gigs will come because I will make it happen. And it did.