What’s your stage name and where are you from?
I go by The Martin Gachiri Experience, and I’m from West Covina, CA.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
Honestly, it came from an episode of Even Stevens. Louis is managing his best friend’s band, and once he’s fired, he starts his own band, the “Louis Stevens Experience.” As a kid, I thought the whole thing was hilarious. Apparently, it stuck with me because when I started making music, it was the first stage name I thought of. I think it perfectly describes what a solo project is.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I grew up hearing a wide variety of music, but once Sum 41 came out, I wanted to pick up a guitar. I spent high school going through punk, ska, hip-hop, and metal phases, trying to find my own voice. Years later, these tastes have combined to influence the one way I know how to fully express myself: writing music.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
“Make It Stop” is about someone having a long and stressful day. The lyrics mention getting a voicemail from Mom asking how you’re doing, creating just one more task to worry about. So, I asked my actual Mom to send me a short nagging voicemail that I could sample for the song. I told her, “Send an annoying ‘I miss you’ type of message.” In response, she sent me a heartfelt 90-second voicemail about how I need to call her more often and how she worries about me. I felt bad but couldn’t help laughing at how genuine her response was. She captured the real emotion of that sort of interaction; once you grow up, it’s easy to lose touch with your parents. They might just call to see how you’re doing, but it can feel like they’re trying to nag. That’s how I knew the song concept was relatable in more ways than one.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
When you hear someone express fears and weaknesses you’re afraid to confront, it brings out a strength in you. When you hear it in a way you haven’t heard before, it sticks with you. I want to give people the same feeling my favorite musicians have given to me.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
This track started as a collaboration with Water The Plants. I came into this with nothing but the instrumental—no song concept or lyrics. We spent some time considering what sort of song would complement the music I brought. Paul, the producer, suggested the “having a bad day” concept, and it just clicked.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Kid Cudi. His music has been a huge inspiration for years, and it’s helped me get through some tough times. To me, he represents the type of artist who writes valuable lyrics and isn’t afraid to experiment.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I see my music giving me a chance to connect and collaborate with like-minded artists, both in and outside of my local community.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
I’ve been sitting on some demos for a long time now, so the next step is to release my next proper EP or album.
We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
Absolutely!
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
I recently released a music video for “Make It Stop” and am working on getting as many eyes on it as possible.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
Check out linktr.ee/tmge to hear all of my music.
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Contact me on Instagram: @mgxperience.
