Martyna Wren – The Collector EP (Stories Behind the Songs)
Today we’re delighted to feature Martyna Wren for the first time, with her fantastic ‘The Collector’ EP. Martyna is a UK artist who has been influenced by the likes of Carole King, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan and Alison Krauss, and in listening to the EP, there is little doubt that Martyna has that same kind of star quality. Below, Martyna gives a snapshot ‘behind the song’ meaning for each of the five tracks of ‘The Collector’.
Made – This song was written for anyone that struggles to throw off the duvet in the morning or who stares at the clock wishing the day away. It’s about being so caught up in day to day life and trying to achieve perfection that you can’t remember what brings you joy anymore. I wanted to encourage people to find their fire and feel like they have purpose again.
Bigger Things – I wrote Bigger Things as a pause button for anyone who might be about to give up on something. It can be so easy to give in to the negative voice in our head and to throw in the towel when we can’t see the bigger plan and how far we have already come. Bigger Things is about letting the dust settle, taking a breath and trusting that we’re on the right path even when it feels like we’re failing. I hope this song makes its way to anyone that needs a moment to rediscover their self-belief and helps them find the strength to battle their own inner wolves.
The Collector – The Collector really represents the theme behind the EP. It’s about how we collect ideas about ourselves and events from the past that we need to let go of. It’s so easy to remember a negative comment or still feel like the person we were at school because of our experiences. It also talks about how we’re sold the idea that we are incomplete and imperfect so that we are constantly trying to fix ourselves. The song is about showing up as you are, no longer living in the past and celebrating who you’ve become.
Coming Up For Air – This is the song that sparked the EP, written when my mum was suddenly diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal cancer. It’s about leaning into faith (whatever that looks like for you) and the love of those around you when your world gets shaken. You are never alone, even when you may feel your most isolated. The thing that struck me the most was that my brave mum didn’t pray for the illness to be miraculously taken, she prayed to have the strength to handle whatever was ahead of her with grace.
Build Your World – The final song on the record ‘Build Your World’ came from talking to a friend who felt they were too old to become a writer and that they had missed the boat. There’s a wonderful quote by Glennon Melton-Doyle that says ‘You can’t miss your boat. It’s yours. It stays docked till you’re ready. The only boat you can miss is someone else’s.’ I wanted to write a song for anyone who’s afraid to answer that niggling feeling that they should be doing something else. It doesn’t matter what stage in life you’re at, if you can find a way to incorporate something you love into your life then it’s never too late.
