There’s a sound swelling in Corpus Christi that is shaking the walls of venues from Austin all the way up the West Coast. This sound belongs to our December Texas Music Water Musician of the Month, David Martinez. Martinez is winning accolades in L.A., showcasing at SXSW, and creating albums with a renowned musician and producer that are creating buzz in the U.K. Martinez felt the influence of music at a very young age. His father, a music major and veritable one-man-band, introduced him to all facets of instruments, from drums to keyboard and even vocals. “Growing up, music was pretty much thrown at me. It was always something that I had a passion and obsession with,” says Martinez. With heavy influence from Ace Frehley, Slash and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he chose to focus his talents on guitar. He began writing songs at the age of 15, building on the fundamentals of music theory that he learned early on. After honing his skills in jam sessions during high school and playing shows throughout college, he was urged by friends to take it to the next level. In 2006, Martinez compiled a demo, raised some money, and was ready to hit the road. Together with musicians Jimmy Wilden and Hope Cassity, he toured through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and on into California. “It was kind of like jumping into the fire. We did things the hard way, but it was such a great tour. I got to play places that I never imagined I would be able to.” However, the greatest experience of the tour didn’t happen on a stage, but in a deli. That’s where Martinez met famed producer Leroy Miller. A year later, Martinez flew back to L.A. and began recording his first album at Leroy Miller’s Hollywood Studio. “It was a challenge. He’s not a ‘yes man’ by any means. He pushed me to the limit and made me do things that I never thought I’d be able to do.” Since then, Martinez has toured across the country playing shows from New York to Seattle and at legendary places such as the Viper Room in West Hollywood. He is a regular showcase at SXSW and was praised during the Land Shark Battle of the Bands. Currently, Martinez is working with Leroy on a new album, One More Time, which is set to be released on December 11th. “As much as I love my first album, I didn’t want to make the same thing. The new album has a lot of different vibes in it.” Incorporating influences from modern rock to reggae to punk rock anthems, One More Time has something to appeal to all your music preferences. Its hit single, I Wanna Know, is receiving rave reviews and recently won ‘Top Indie Song’ of the summer in LA. When asked about Texas Music Water, Martinez says, “Texas is like its own country. We have our own music and now we have our own water. As soon as I heard about it I wanted to be involved. Especially since it helps out musicians.” We couldn’t be happier to have David Martinez involved and that’s why he is our Texas Music Water Musician of the Month. Courtesy of Texas Music Water