Utopia by Martin & Bell

UTOPIA by Martin & Bell

On Martin & Bell’s elegiac An Alternative Ulster (2018), writer turned spoken word artist Gavin Martin’s words perfectly matched multi-instrumental melodic maestro Martin Bell’s neo-classical theme. The wistful rumination on teenage glory days, the passing of time and current day Northern Ireland, titled after the punk fanzine Martin published in Bangor, Northern Ireland back in 1977, received radio support from DJs including Tom Robinson, Ralph McLean and Steve Lamacq.

Utopia reveals the full breadth of the pair’s Spoken Wave style, hatched last year, after Bell expressed enthusiasm for Martin’s acclaimed 2017 debut album release Talking Musical Revolutions.

Ballistic and energising debut release, Roman Totale’s Death Song, tributing The Fall’s Mark E Smith legacy and a relationship spanning five decades (Smith was an early Alternative Ulster fan and contributor), was written and recorded following The Fall legend’s death and released days before his funeral.

The multi-instrumentalist producer cut his musical teeth playing fiddle in the 70s north of England country circuit supporting such as Roy Orbison, Billie Joe Spears and more, as punk rock raged across the nation. Stints in various Indie bands, the house band for Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, The Wonder Stuff during their chart topping era, and as composer/music editor for film and TV have given Bell consummate musical scope.

His cinematic sound-tracking adds depth, variety and grandeur to the diverse themes called up by Martin’s words – the wonder-struck grief of Tiny World, the synapse-slicing and splenetic Anti Social Media and see-sawing sea shanty groove on death defying When They Were Young.

Utopia is no ordinary spoken word album. Caustic social commentary, in Brexit Blues and the riotous clamour of No Arms Factories In Tottenham meets close to home truth in No Excuse For Poetry. Nerve end jangling seasonal bromide (Christmas) sit alongside musical tribute (reggae/slavery history The Bass The Drum The Treble) and globe trotting disco celebration (Four Corners).

Martin recorded his words in St Leonards On Sea. Bell devised the music and productions in Cornwall. But the album they created contains multitudes. The pair have only ever met once over a decade.

“ That may seem a little odd,” admits Martin. “But then again - why spoil a wonderful partnership?” adds Bell.

The Headstrong Mining Company is the latest incarnation of the creative partnership of Multi-Instrumentalist Martin Bell ( Ex. The Wonder Stuff) and Spoken Word Artist / Music Critic Gavin Martin (NME, Daily Mirror). The dashing pair also go under the names "Martin & Bell", as well as "Bell and the Irishman.