Irish indie/electro duo, Martellos, have unveiled their debut EP, Strawberry Blonde, today! While its title might sound breezy and carefree, this 3-track release packs a punch in all ways possible.
Inspired by the ennui of where both members are from in the north west Ireland counties of Mayo and Donegal, Strawberry Blonde is a personal one. Exhibiting sonic influences from an eclectic mix of artists such as LCD Soundsystem, Neutral Milk Hotel and Jack Kerouac to name a few, Martellos have managed to perfect a particular mix of high-energy soundscapes partnered with poignant lyrical content reminiscent of Two Door Cinema Club.
“Our debut EP is a three song story of someone struggling with their demons, loneliness and ennui before hitting their rock bottom and realising the only way out is attempting honesty with themselves. Performance is a recurring motif in the EP. There is a performative aspect to living with mental health issues without sharing them. Often times people just pretend to be fine. In Ireland, there is still a stigma attached to such issues and there exists a reluctance to reach out for help. As lyricist Lorcan has witnessed at home in Donegal in particular, this is a dangerous precedent. The theme is touched on explicitly through the samples in the first two tracks. By contrast, the final song has no samples or allusions to performance. It is about being real and eschewing performance in order to start to feel better about yourself. Furthermore, the heavy, dark, and often sinister undertones of the opening two tracks are replaced by a much more ambient feeling of space and freedom in the final one, thus completing the arc.”
Listen to Strawberry Blonde below:
