Photos and Recap by Max Stewart

Some may know Barrett Martin as the drummer of the iconic 90s Seattle bands Screaming Trees and Mad Season (with Layne Staley of Alice in Chains and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam), but that would only be scratching the surface of his multi-instrumental talents and accomplishments. Yes, he also has had a prolific solo career with the Barrett Martin Group, released a number of albums with his band Tuatara (alongside R.E.M.‘s Peter Buck), and also played on many recordings with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age and Stone Temple Pilots.

What really makes Martin unique, however, is how he took the success of his career in rock and sought to learn as much as he could about music while journeying across the world. He has immersed himself in a variety of musical stylings, better understanding how each unique genre shapes the fabric of diverse cultures and communities. Throughout this process, he has recorded in Brazil, Cuba, the Peruvian Amazon, the Palestinian West Bank, and even the Alaskan Arctic. He also has a master’s degree in ethnomusicology and linguistics, and has studied and practiced Zen for over 25 years. Talk about well-rounded. Martin has a genuine appreciation and deep knowledge of the wide range of music across the globe. Lucky for us, he has documented a lot of his journeys and some of his tales/interviews will be chronicled in the new VEVO music series (‘Singing Earth‘), which is set to be released in January 2024.

Martin’s passion for the subject was infectious as he spoke at The Earl in Atlanta. The event itself was multi-faceted and a mix of Martin playing a variety of instruments over some of his past recordings, telling stories, and previewing clips of his new series. The night started with memories of Seattle in the 1990s, which was the scene that was the launchpad of his career. Georgia’s own Kevn Kinney of Drivin N Cryin was in attendance, who has known Martin since the 90s when they jammed with Peter Buck at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle. He likened the ‘grunge’ scene in Seattle to that of Georgia in the 80s with bands like Drivin N Cryin, R.E.M., the B52s and Pylon.

Martin recently wrote a book about the Screaming Trees titled “The Greatest Band That Ever Wasn’t: The Story Of The Screaming Trees”, and at the start of the show he had touching photos of the late singer Mark Lanegan and guitarist Van Conner displayed on the screen. As the night progressed, he interweaved down different musical paths, and chronicled times with musicians in Africa, Cuba, Brazil and the Mississippi Delta with blues legend Cedell Davis (which will also be in a future documentary).

Martin spoke to every audience member who approached him with a warm and welcoming demeanor, and he could not have been more friendly and engaged during each conversation. Martin is an example of a successful musician who has not only stayed grounded but humbled by the immense power and beauty of music across the world.

It was a truly inspiring night of memories and new musical appreciations. Be sure to check out his “Singing Earth One Man Tour” through December!