Artist Interview: Q&A with Martin Zellar
We talked to the longtime Minnesotan, singer-songwriter and former Gear Daddies frontman about his new album, Head West, which drops tomorrow, Oct. 6!
Martin Zellar. Photo credit: Carolyn Beaudot.
Martin Zellar wasn’t sure he’d ever record another album until the pandemic hit; like many people, he found the silver lining of lockdown was time to think and nurture creative activities. The singer-songwriter, who first broke through in the late 80s as frontman of Minneapolis alt-country pioneers Gear Daddies, produced and recorded the album in Mexico where he currently resides with his family.
As he prepares to release the new album, Head West, and celebrate with a tour that starts in Minneapolis with a sold-out show at the Parkway Theater, Zellar made time to answer some questions about the new record!
Carol Roth: This is your first album in over a decade—congratulations! What was it like to get back in the studio? What can you share about the creation of this record?
Martin Zellar: This album was recorded primarily at my home studio, which we completed less than a year ago. Not having to watch the clock during the recording process was a game-changer for me. I could take my time. If I hit a creative roadblock, I could stop, clear my head, and resume when ready. If my voice wasn’t firing on all cylinders, I could hold up vocal tracks as long as needed. I had the luxury of unlimited redos.
That hasn’t been possible in the past. When you’re watching money flow out the door, and you have to work within the schedules of a whole bunch of other people, you end up accepting things that you know aren’t as good as they could be. I’ve never been able to listen to my albums once they’re finished. All I hear are the mistakes, the things I wish I could change. That won’t be the case with this album. I wasn’t looking for perfection, just something that felt right.
CR: Your family had a big part in the making of the new album. Was that a new experience? If so, how did it come about?
MZ: Working with my family was a new experience and one of the most gratifying of my life. As I said, I have my own studio, but I have no idea how the gear inside works. Thankfully, I have kids that do. The family approach wasn’t a novelty. Everyone involved was qualified for their contribution. Our oldest son, Wilson, acted as the primary engineer and mixed and mastered the album. He also played every guitar part on the album. Our youngest son, Owen, served as assistant engineer and primary engineer for many vocal tracks. Our late-life surprise, Clementine, added percussion to a tune. My wife, Carolyn, took all of the album photos.
Martin Zellar’s Head West album artwork.
CR: I understand Head West started in the pandemic lockdown, right? With so many songs about restlessness and reflection on the past, that makes a lot of sense. I also found it interesting, thinking about what it was like during quarantine, that a lot of the songs read as one side of a conversation, or like you’re relating anecdotes to a friend. What was the songwriting process like during those weird times? Did the songs come to you differently? Do they have a different feel for you than others you’ve written?
MZ: My writing process was definitely different than it has been in the past. Maybe because I’ve never had so much uninterrupted time to think, write, and record. And I was reading so many books, which is something that has always kickstarted the creative process for me. And yes, there was a lot of time to reflect. But that reflection often led to thoughts about the future. These songs feel different to me, but it might take a while for me to process exactly why.
CR: I love “Goodbye Wild Bill”; it’s so poignant but such an epic story song, and the Loring Park reference is enough for a Minnesotan to imagine it all happening right here. Can you tell me about the inspiration and story behind this track?
MZ: “Goodbye Wild Bill” is based on a true story. After moving to the Twin Cities, a bunch of us outstate transplants banded together because we felt like fish out of water. We were a hard-living group, to put it mildly. It was all fun and games until it wasn’t. The title character led the pack as far as excess, and that’s saying something. I think we all knew from the get-go how his story would end. Sadly, he wasn’t the first of the gang to say goodbye, and he wouldn’t be the last. The percentage of that group that are no longer with us is staggering.
CR: Wow, that makes the song hit even harder knowing that! This answer typically changes over time for an artist, but do you have a current favorite track on the album and, if so, why does that one stand out to you?
MZ: I’ve taken a break from listening to the album, so I would need to revisit it before answering that question. Also, it sometimes takes playing the songs live to solidify my feelings.
Martin Zellar. Photo credit: Davin Brandt.
CR: Speaking of that, I know you’re gearing up for a month-plus-long tour. How does it feel to tour on a new album? Have you played these songs out yet?
MZ: We’ve started rehearsing them but have yet to perform them publicly. I’ve put together a great band to tour behind the album, and it’s a very close-knit group. I really am looking forward to the tour. Other than my son Wilson, who will be playing guitar, we’re an older group of guys, so it’ll be a more comfortable way of touring than it has been in the past. No marathon drives, no sharing hotel rooms, no nonstop junk food.
CR: It seems like you've had a strong connection to the Minnesota music community throughout your career. How has being a part of this community influenced your music? Can you share any memorable collaborations or experiences?
MZ: I am a Minnesotan through and through. I love this state. The Gear Daddies moved to the Twin Cities at just the right time. The late-80s and early-90s music scene was on fire, and we rode the coattails of some incredible Minnesota bands. Over the years, I think I have collaborated in one way or another with most of the musicians of that era. And, for me, they were all memorable.
CR: I can only imagine how amazing it was to be here at that time. I’m so glad we got to connect! Before I let you go, is there anything else you’d like to talk about?
MZ: I’ve probably rambled on enough, so I’ll just say thank you and reiterate how excited I am to get out there and tour behind the album!
Carol Roth. Photo credit: Dan Lee.
Carol Roth is a full-time marketing copywriter and the primary music journalist and social media publicist for Adventures in Americana. In addition to studying the guitar and songwriting, Carol’s additional creative side hustle is writing self-proclaimed “trashy” novels under the pseudonym T.A. Berkeley!
