Louder Than The Music

Singer/songwriter Lara Martin recently released her new album 'Pearl'. Best known for writing the popular worship anthem 'The Voice of Hope', Lara talks to LTTM about making the new album and how she started out as a singer.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?

My parents bought me my first guitar for my 6th birthday as I was always singing and making up little songs. I think I must have been born singing! I've never known a life without music. My parents always created an environment of encouragement and helped me to excel in the gift they saw developing from an early age.

Tell us about your new album 'Pearl' and what the inspiration behind it was?

The songs that appear on the album PEARL were never written for an album, they were simply songs that came out of my journey and life experiences and pearls of wisdom I'd picked up along the way. When I would sing and perform them at different events, I would have people saying how much the songs were relevant to their own situations. This happened often and people would request recordings which I didn't have so over the past couple of years I entertained the thought of putting a collection of these songs together. Last year during a song writing session with Chris Eaton we casually discussed the idea of him producing it, that was on a Friday and by the following Monday the ball was in motion. My husband and I created our own label, 'Trapeze Records' and launched this album independently. We've just learnt along the way and truly appreciate companies like Louder Than The Music for supporting this project by spreading the word.

Which is your favourite track on the album and why?

I don't actually have a favourite which is why the album title isn't defined by one song. Each of them are special to me for different reasons.

What's your song writing process?

Every song is different. Some songs tumble out like 'Soothe' on the album which was written after I lost a little girl last year through miscarriage. The song kick started the healing process for me so the lyrics are honest and vulnerable. Other songs may take days, even years to write as I discover another missing piece of the jigsaw. For me it's not about the volume of songs I write but the quality and message of the lyric. Not every song that's ever written is meant to be shared. For me some songs are just part of the process in helping me to get better at the craft of songwriting. Though no one will ever hear them, these songs are an important part of my development as a writer. In more recent years I've enjoyed collaborating with other writers too like Chris Eaton and Noel Robinson. This helps with creativity and adds a different dimension to the songwriting process which is fun.

If you could work with any song writer, who would it be and why?

I always wanted to write with Chris Eaton and have admired his work for years and am thankful to God that he orchestrated making this a reality. Another writer I admire greatly is Gary Barlow. His melodies and lyrical concepts inspire me.

Who are your musical influences?

I was raised on country music so that influence is definitely in my songs. I love simple acoustic guitar and vocal. On the flip side I also love anthemic rock music and classical music with high pitched strings and timpani that can make your hairs stand on end.

In your opinion, what makes the perfect worship song?

First of all it has to be about 'Truth'. As writers we are responsible for putting words in people mouths and hearts and have to be careful and diligent with our theology. Worship and word should walk hand in hand…together they are a powerful combination. Secondly I'd say it has to be about 'Connection'. If people connect with the song, it will be easier for them to connect with God through the vehicle of that song.

What advice would you give to any aspiring worship leaders or songwriters out there?