Martin Packwood is a UK-based guitarist and composer crafting melodic instrumental tracks that blend rock, jazz, and ambient influences. A former live performer from Birmingham turned DIY home studio artist, Martin Packwood focuses on expressive guitar tones and memorable melodies over technical showmanship. Since 2023, he’s released ten singles and gained tens of thousands of streams worldwide—handling every aspect of his music and video production independently.
With “Beach Street Boogie” out now, we took some time to hear from Martin Packwood. Read below to learn more about Martin Packwood, the story behind “Beach Street Boogie,” and what’s to come.
Hi Martin Packwood! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
That one’s easy! It’s my real name. What you see is what you get!
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I was born and raised in Birmingham, UK. I spent the first thirty years of my life there and did a lot of gigging around the city, it was a fantastic place to play back then, with loads of great venues. These days, I’m based in Felixstowe, a coastal town in Suffolk.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
My dad taught me a bit of piano when I was about ten, which sparked my interest in music. A few years later, I picked up a guitar, mainly because some of my mates had started playing, and we formed a band pretty quickly. We jammed on blues turnarounds and covered the rock tunes of the day. By eighteen, I was gigging regularly. Birmingham was alive with music back then, and I was lucky to be part of that.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I think of myself as a composer who happens to play guitar. I focus on crafting memorable melodies over rich, interesting harmonies, using expressive guitar tones. I steer clear of cliches and technical showboating. My goal is to reach beyond the guitar community and make music that resonates with a wider audience.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I used to play a lot of football (soccer in the USA), but these days, I’ve transitioned to golf, though I wouldn’t say that I’m any good at it! Creatively, I don’t usually struggle to come up with ideas. I think the key is not to chase a ‘hit’ every time. Some of my best work started from ideas that I nearly threw away. Conversely, I’ve had ideas that felt promising at first, but didn’t go anywhere. I do have a checklist of ways to break through writer’s block . . . but I haven’t actually needed to use it yet!
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I started out in the 1970s, so I was into all the greats. Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Hendrix, Clapton. I had a real hunger to learn how to play like that. Later, I discovered Steely Dan and Santana. Their melodic, harmonic and rhythmic sophistication still influences me today.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
It feels like I’ve had two distinct careers. First, in the vibrant Birmingham band scene of the ’70s and ’80s, and now as a solo artist. A standout moment from the early days was playing with a band called De Stijl. We recorded a live video at Faces nightclub, at a time when video production was far less common and much harder to pull off. And, we did a session for BBC Pebble Mill. We played some memorable gigs too, including a few with audiences of over a thousand. Those were truly special times.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
I was lucky to play with some seriously talented musicians when I was younger and that helped me progress quickly. One of the biggest lessons that I’ve learned is to always be self-critical, keep analyzing my playing and identify weak spots, and take action to improve. That mindset has served me well over the years.
Now onto your release, ‘Beach Street Boogie.’ What inspired ‘Beach Street Boogie?’
There’s a fantastic spot in Felixstowe called Beach Street. It’s full of bars, food stalls, and street art. A really vibrant place, especially in the summer. ‘Beach Street Boogie’ captures that feeling for me. The laid-back, feel-good vibe of a sunny day down there.
What was the creative process like when you were making ‘Beach Street Boogie?’
It came together a bit differently to my usual more methodical process. I’d had the verse melody and bridge riff for a while, but couldn’t quite land on a chorus. Then one morning, during a run, the chorus popped into my head out of nowhere. I had to sprint back home to record it before I forgot it! So, I guess it was half planned, half spontaneous.
What do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Beach Street Boogie?’
I don’t take myself too seriously, and I don’t want the music to either. I hope people feel the summer vibe, tap their feet, and maybe even get the urge to dance on the beach. It’s all about good energy and having fun.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
No shows planned at the moment. ‘Beach Street Boogie’ is actually my tenth release, so I’m considering pulling everything together as my first full album this summer. Either way, there will definitely be more singles on the way in the coming months.
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can visit my main website: https://martinpackwood.com.
Or find a full list of links here: martinpackwood.com/landing/martin-packwood.html.
Here are the important ones:
Twitter/X
Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube
Spotify
SoundCloud
Before you go, let’s ask you some random questions:
Do you follow a soccer team in the UK?
Yes I do, I am an avid Aston Villa supporter! They’re based in Birmingham, where I grew up. My dad and grandfather were both Villa fans, and my dad took me to my first match when I was nine. I’ve been hooked ever since.
What is your favorite food?
Fish & chips, hands down. Eaten out of the wrapping paper while walking along the seafront. Can’t beat it.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
