Homegrown musician, Martyn Crocker, releasing expat track

FOR MANY UAE expats, life can offer a multitude of opportunities. Given the weather some may dive headfirst into outdoor pursuits. Others could put that extra income to use and invest in a home cinema or expand their minds with various classes. Head of secondary music at Al Ain Academy, Martyn Crocker, has decided to capitalise on his skills and document the experience of moving from his homeland, the UK, to the Emirates in musical form. And I Got On is coming out on February 28, but we caught up with the artist to find out how he has managed to capture the essence of emigration in one song.

This song was initially written on a piano in France when I was on holiday with my wife’s family in 2018. The feelings about emigrating were weighing on my mind. With the opportunity for a fresh start came feelings of excitement, but also some worries about leaving everything we knew behind. There is a lyric, ‘If I recall your name’, and it relates to being able to get away from people and things that you get caught up in that aren’t necessarily important in order to focus on my family and things that matter more.

Myself and my wife just wanted to try something different and we were excited about an adventure with our family. The opportunity to relocate here came up and we grabbed it with both hands. Being away from loved ones is hard, but video calls and other ways of contact really make the process easier. We love our lives out here and are appreciative of everything and every experience we are granted by being here.

I’ve always felt that it’s important to practice what you preach, and I think it makes me a better teacher. I’ve had some students find me on Youtube, which is always pretty amusing. It takes a lot to put yourself out there and I’m way too critical of myself, but I’m proud of it. I also love being in an environment where I’m always learning, both from students and the curriculum I’m teaching.

I’ve been really surprised with how varied and supportive the scene has been, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I recently took part in the Yasalam competition and that really allowed me to meet some great musicians and open some doors. I am surprised at how obtainable the scene feels and am surprised that there aren’t more huge artists from here conquering the world. I would like to see more venues putting on nights for original musicians to perform in 30-minute sets to really develop their original music and craft. I don’t think there’s enough of that happening here. Open mic nights are okay, but there’s not a tonne you can do with a two-song set.

I see this song as the beginning of a new chapter of my work. I’ve recorded and released two albums, as well as recorded some great singles with a band. I’m now moving into something new and different. I’m writing lots of songs about my experiences in the UAE, travel and things I’m getting to experience and I’m going to start recording and releasing music, leading up to an album or EP. I have studio time booked for when I’m back in the UK and I enjoy recording and writing over a long period of time, before grouping the recordings together. My aim for now is singles that will then eventually be grouped into a larger body of work. There is a lyric video to And I Got On on Youtube, but I won’t be shooting a performance music video for this one. I’ll save that for another song later down the line.

I’ve been writing and releasing music since I was young and I think that people back home are very used to seeing me appear with new songs and projects. I’ve got a lot of messages from people saying that they’re happy I’m still keeping at it and there was a terrific response when I appeared on Dubai Eye. The town I grew up in had the most amazing, inspiring group of musicians and I am very happy to be taking that influence and attitude around the world with me.

Martyn will be playing on Friday at the Annex in Abu Dhabi for their ‘Homegrown’ night, which focuses on pushing UAE artists.