Draft:Johnny Martin (Maarten Witsel)
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Johnny Martin | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Maarten Martinus Johannes Andreas Maurits Witsel |
Also known as | Witzcraft - Captain 1 eye |
Born | Amsterdam, the Netherlands | 23 June 1981
Genres | Rock, Metal, Indie, Pop, Club, dance |
Occupation(s) | Musician, Producer |
Instrument(s) | Drums, Guitar, Bass, Vocal |
Years active | 2008-present |
Labels | Witzcraft |
Member of | Johnny Martin - Witzcraft |
Formerly of | Wolfpin - Champagne sweat - Bypass - Filterkick - Cindy Peress - Ill Ego - Moonhawks - Gerry McAvoy's Band of Friends |
Spouse | none |
Early Life and Background
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Johnny Martin, born Maarten Witsel on June 23, 1981, in Amsterdam, is a Dutch musician known for his diverse talents as a songwriter, record producer, drummer, and guitarist. Raised in a city with a rich musical heritage, he developed a passion for music early in life, eventually making a significant mark on the Amsterdam music scene.
Career
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Johnny Martin's career began in the bustling Amsterdam music scene, where he gained recognition for his versatile skills and collaborative work with various artists. He jammed with Caroline van Leeuwen later known as Caro Emerald) before she rose to fame with her debut album, Back It Up (2009). Johnny also played sessions with Suus de Groot, who later became known as Sue the Night, before the release of her acclaimed debut album, Mosaic (2015). In addition, he supported Amber Kamminga in the early stages of her career, prior to her album Star Crossed Lovers (2017).
Touring and Notable Collaboration
[edit]Johnny's reputation as a musician grew significantly through his live performances. He toured six years with Marcel Scherpenzeel in a Rory Gallagher cover band performing on the main stage of the Rory Gallagher festival in Ballyshannon Ireland where after he further refined his skills and gained a following in the European blues and rock circuit. Following this,He toured for two years with Gerry McAvoy's Band of friends, the bass player for legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher.
Recordings and Studio Work
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In addition to his live performances (consisting mainly of Blues and rock), Johnny has contributed to various recording projects. He played drums on the album Fractions by Ivan Waters, which was largely recorded in his own Witzcraft Studio. He also worked with several local Amsterdam groups, including Bypass Amsterdam, a metal band founded by Zad & Geoff. Johnny's drumming can also be heard on the album Xtra Brut by Champagne Sweat, a project known for its eclectic style, as well as on recordings by the band Filterkick.
Electronic Albums
[edit]Next to spending time in the studio doing work for other Johnny Martin was always busy trying to expand his horizon experimenting with music styles other than blues and rock. Between 2015 and 2018 Johnny Martin produced next to many single albums 3 Dance albums named "Weekend on wednesday", "Deep Down" and "In Control"
Solo Albums
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After moving from Amsterdam to Austria in December 2019, Johnny began to focus on his solo career. He released his debut album Never I Could Imagine, on December 31, 2022, which is available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. His second album, Live and Learn, followed a year later on December 31, 2023, and can be found on Spotify and Apple Music.
Currently, Johnny is working on a double album, although the release date and titles have not yet been announced.
Awards and Recognition
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In 2012, Johnny Martin was nominated for the Best Rock Blues Drummer category at the Dutch Blues Awards, highlighting his talent and contributions to the genre.
Musical Style and Influences
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Johnny's musical style blends rock, blues, and other genres, shaped by his experiences performing with influential artists and working in diverse recording environments. His drumming, songwriting, and production skills have made him a well-regarded figure in both live and studio settings.
Discography
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Year | Release date | Album | Band | Role | Genre |
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2009 | February 28th | Remember | Wolfpin | Drummer | Blues Rock |
2010 | March 29th | The key | Bypass | Drummer/Music producer | Metal |
2010 | July 2th | Xtra Brut | Champagne Sweat | Drummer | Indie Rock |
2014 | May 6th | Fractions | Ivan Waters | Drummer/Music producer | Alternative |
2015 | April 1th | Weekend on wednesday | Witzcraft | Producer/Engineer | Club/House |
2016 | April 12th | Deep Down | Witzcraft | Producer/Engineer | Club/House |
2018 | February 28th | In Control | Witzcraft | Producer/Engineer | Club |
2022 | December 31th | (Never i Could Imagine) | Johnny Martin | Musician/Songwriter/Producer | Indie Rock |
2023 | December 31th | Live and Learn | Johnny Martin | Musician/Songwriter/Producer | Pop/Rock |
Personal Life After leaving Amsterdam for Austria in late 2019, Johnny continued to develop his career as a solo artist. He remains active in the music scene, frequently working on new projects and expanding his creative output.