Kristen Martell has come a long way since getting back into songwriting. The Mahone Bay musician reconnected with her long-buried talent in 2018—put off by years of all the flotsam and jetsam that comprise a life—to more recently being tapped by award-winning producer Dan Ledwell (Jenn Grant, The Fortunate Ones, Rachel Beck) and the similarly lauded Gabrielle Papillon for great things. Working with Martell on her dreamy new single, “Photograph of Secrets.” the trio weaves a story that is equal parts mystery and optimism and it sounds like a huge step forward.
“This was a different approach to songwriting for me personally. It was an exploration of melody and poetry,” says Martell. “The result is a dreamy, comforting landscape that is meant to remind you to trust in yourself.”
Naturally, we’ve scoured the cover art for secrets, but it is the song’s lyrics that hold the real mysteries. Despite the gentle upbeat nature of the tune, the lyrics themselves sound like a riddle, or the ominous plot to a quest of great import, as dire as it is unknowable. Which, I suppose, is as good a life lesson as any. To quote Basil King, “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”
“Photograph of Secrets” provides that lesson about marching confidently towards the light at the end of the tunnel, tinged with guitar riffs reminiscent of Springsteen’s “Born to Run.”
“At the time I was deep in doubt and catching myself in negative cycles,” Martell said. “I was also witnessing the same in those around me. But there was a determination to move past this period and it all started with envisioning a better way forward.”
“It’s been a gift getting to know Kristen while we worked together, and an honour to witness her diligence and her growth as a songwriter,” says Gabrielle Papillon. “I’m excited for people to hear this gem of a tune we crafted in the process.”