Marty Christian said his music has taken characteristics from every city he has lived in, creating a sound as diverse as his geographical background.
“I have the jazzier blues sound from Cleveland, the Spanish sound from Austin [Texas] and a swamp-hop sound that I got from this area,” Christian said.
Scott Gaskin, Christian’s representative at Green Frog Productions, said Christian’s music is “unbelievable and soulful.” Gaskin said Christian’s sound is eclectic and unlike anything he has ever heard.
Christian has been playing in the Lafayette-Baton Rouge area for more than two years.
“My music is a blend of old soul, blues and original,” Christian said. “I play original music, but I also play old music by artists like Otis Redding and Robert Johnson – but I play it my way.”
Born and raised in Cleveland, Christian worked as a disc jockey at a radio station, where he was introduced to the jazz and blues music he said has inspired his music.
“I knew about B.B. King and some other greats, but working at the radio station I found out about thousands of other artists,” Christian said. “I like to use old music to create new music.”
After spending his entire life in Cleveland, Christian moved to France for two years where he said he performed for the first time.
“I am fluent in French, and I still have an affinity towards French people,” he said. “I started coming around Lafayette because I enjoyed being around the French-speaking Creoles and the music there.”
Christian said he was introduced to zydeco music while in Lafayette and was attracted to the music because of its high energy and bluesy qualities.
“I was living in Austin at the time and kept coming to Lafayette because of the music,” Christian said. “Eventually I moved there.”
Christian ended his nine-year residency in Austin and joined the Lafayette-based band Thomas “Big Hat” Fields. After playing in the band for two and a half years, Christian said he has recently gone solo but occasionally has a washboard player play improvisational music alongside his acoustic guitar and vocals.
“I enjoy taking the time to learn my music,” Christian said. “I learn as I go, and I am open to the songs changing. I never play the same song twice, and I think that people really gravitate toward that because they are going to hear something different.”
Christian said his musical inspiration comes from the artists he listens to and admires as well as his life experiences.
“I draw my inspiration from the people I have met as well as through my travels and experiences,” Christian said. “I don’t try to imitate anybody. I really just try to be myself.”
Christian is currently recording a new album but said he has never really tried to promote himself.
“I burned about 100 CDs myself and was selling those at shows, but I sold out,” he said. “I just enjoy making music and making a living off of playing shows.”
Christian will be performing Feb. 27 at The Vineyard in Baton Rouge.
 
Contact Kelly Caulk at [email protected]