If you fight it, it will outlast you. If you chase it, it will outrun you. If you try to control it, it will outsmart you. Love wins–naturally. Like many life lessons, these are often things we learn the hard way. Fortunately, there are artists like Martyna Baker, right there with us, knowing how to put everything we feel into the right words and melody. Singing from her own experiences of being taken for granted and confused, Martyna creates the music that makes you feel validated and understood when your relationship unfolds in a way that you didn’t expect, agree with or deserve.
Although many of her lyrics deal with pain, Martyna’s personality is quite carefree and fun; she had me laughing throughout this interview! While performing and living in the United Kingdom, her music is reaching people across the world. Martyna’s a great artist because she’s a great person—self-aware, thoughtful and making music purely for the love of it (and also because it’s healing to diss someone in a tune sometimes). Here, she shares the story behind one of her most popular songs, “Love Fast,” the emotion in her music and a fantasy encounter 
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Martyna Baker / @martynabaker
What would you be doing if you were not singing?
If I wasn’t singing…I’d be crying!
How would you describe your music style?
Honest, delicate, atmospheric, otherworldly, real.
You said you propped up the courage to start singing at 21. So, what was the push?
I always loved music, I was an only child until I was 10, and me and my mum lived with my uncle who had a massive CD collection so I’d sit listening to Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton for hours! I didn’t have much self-esteem when I was younger, which held me back–and sometimes still can–but I started doing music about four years ago because my ex-boyfriend pissed me off. He said he knew I had wasted money buying a guitar since I didn’t touch it for the first 5 months, so I was like: “I’ll show you jerk!”
I’ve really enjoyed the EP after first falling in love with “Love Fast.” What inspired you to write “Love Fast”? Are you still love fasting?
I’m glad you like “Love Fast,” it seems to be most people’s favorite! I wrote “Love Fast” just after speaking to a boy I really liked at the time who just kept “blowing hot and cold” so to speak. I was trying my hardest to change and make myself fit him, but I just didn’t, so I gave up and wrote “Love Fast.” Thankfully though, I am no longer love fasting!
Your music clearly comes from the heart and you’ve shared a lot of your personal experiences. What’s one of, if not the most, r
evealing songs you’ve written? Do you ever feel nervous about being so open?
I think “Love Fast” and “Don’t Take My Eyes” are my most honest songs, but I try to be frank in all of my songs. I don’t feel nervous about being honest in my music because all I have is my story, my truth, so if I don’t share that then what am I sharing?
Where do you want your music career to take you?
Wherever my fans are! I hope that means I get to travel the world. I don’t have any big goals other than to sing for the rest of my life and never stop writing.
If you could have one special night with any musician, who would it be?
D’Angelo! Predictable, but oh so necessary!
Finally, what does living unchained mean to you?
To me, it means being yourself and not being afraid to speak your truth–even if you might piss people off.
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Download Martyna Baker’s EP for free here: http://martynabaker.bandcamp.com/
