Martyrs

Post-disco duo Martyrs have come a long way since growing up together in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. Having bonded over WCW Wrestling and the iconic sounds of REM, Jon and Michael came together once again many years later in Kent. Posing the question “what would yacht rock sound like if we made it at home instead of in a multi-million dollar studio?”, Martyrs was born as well as a new genre: Post-Yacht.

Fiercely independent, Martyrs do everything themselves, choosing to uphold their DIY ethos in pursuit of creating their own unique sound. From songwriting to recording and production to artwork, the project has grown firmly in the duo's image, resulting in the creation of a first, extremely lo-fi album Un Diavolo En Casa in 2022, and now their second album, Luminism. Taking inspiration from a multitude of artists and genres ranging from Afghan Whigs and Billy Joel to Deerhunter and Cyndi Lauper, Martyrs ultimately create a sound that pirouettes somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and New Order.

Forthcoming single Where Did You Go? encapsulates Martyrs essence in just over four retro-filled minutes. The band describe it as a “visit to a supernatural Studio 54” as the track comes strutting out the blocks like Staying Alive-era John Travolta. Where Did You Go? combines raucous instrumentation with a haunting lyric about an eerie encounter with a long forgotten music box. A horror story set to a disco beat, Where Did You Go? offers an infectious hook and dazzling chorus that will leave you unsure whether you should dance or shudder.

Martyrs have already released the anthemic single ‘Sunset Thinking’, with the video premiering on God Is In The TV. The band have also picked up support from the likes of Rattler Magazine and Amazing Radio. All the profits from sales of both Where Did You Go? And Luminism will go to Trussell Trust: Stop UK Hunger.

Where Did You Go? is out on 3rd May and is taken from debut album Luminism, out 10th May 2024.