Martin Rivas is bringing joy back to music. Blending disparate elements such as ’60s soul with a distinctly modern alt. folk edge to create a sound that is both instantly inviting and exceptionally deep, his songs practically smile at you from the speakers.
Martin has become a mainstay of the New York City singer songwriter community, and performs almost every night of the week. In addition to his own shows and residencies at some of the city's most-respected venues (Rockwood Music Hall Stages 1 and 2, Joe's Pub, The Bitter End, City Winery) he brings together a rotating cast of local and touring musicians for his Campfire series, established with drummer and good friend Craig Meyer.
Martin has shared bills with the likes of Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Aimee Mann, Jimmy Webb, Gov't Mule, The White Buffalo, Rachel Platten, Lelia Broussard, and Hootie & the Blowfish.
His latest release, The Convalescence EP, was recorded in his home studio during the four months in 2010 he spent recovering from surgery and its resulting life-threatening complications. The album paints an intensely personal portrait of physical and emotional healing. However, the music is neither dark nor sad, and is, instead, a grateful celebration of victory, combining the energy of his live shows with the intimacy of a project so private it could only have been made alone.
2012 has been spent recording and completing a sixth studio album, Reliquary (to be released on 5 June 2012), produced by Alex Liang Wong (Vienna Teng, The Paper Raincoat, Ari Hest, Elizabeth & The Catapult). On the concert front, tours of the UK and the southeast/midwest US are in the works, along with a resumption of NYC-centered live concert activity with the release of Reliquary.
Martin has also performed and toured as a band member for some mighty talented friends: Rachel Platten, Chrissi Poland, Bess Rogers, Sierra Noble, and Kailin Garrity, to name a few.
Plenty more music and information is available at www.martinrivas.net