With a collection of quirky self-written songs under his belt, and an ongoing love of performing, for Martin Peirson it’s all about sharing music and stories with those around that care to listen, – something he has been doing for most of his life.
He has just released the second single ONE DAY from his recent album COOL CAT, a track that was chosen as Record of the Week by Beverley FM and got airplay on BBC Humberside Introducing.
All Martin’s solo work can be heard from his BANDCAMP page https://martinpeirson.bandcamp.com/ as well as most digital platforms such as YouTube.
For live performances Martin is usually solo- but occasionally joined by fellow musician friends to make a ‘scratch band’ that simply enjoy making music together, whether his own compositions, or a few well-known covers.
He is part of THE BAY HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE, the Cherry Burton based trio alongside musicians Steve Peirson (melodeon) and Andrew Kneeshaw (vocals/bass)- who perform a mixed bag of Martin’s “self penned songs, plus toe-tapping tunes and some evergreen covers”
He also performs as CRAZY MAN MICHAEL with EMILY RIVER THOMSON– and the pair have a CD out entitled “Songs of Mystery & Imagination”.
Back in the 70s, Martin was part of a Beverley 6th form band called DIGGORY VENN and in 2019 to help mark the 50th anniversary of music venue The Processed Pea, (sadly no more), the club invited DIGGORY VENN to reform for a special evening. The original acoustic line-up of Martin. Peter Robinson (also now sadly no longer with us) and Robin Peirson agreed, and played a 45 min set of songs and tunes not performed by them since 1979 -when the group disbanded! After quick warm up at Kardomah94 in Hull in February, the group (helped out by Hugh Whitaker & Steve Peirson) performed at the Pea in March- as a one-off! (see History Page/Diggory Venn for more info!
Martin also performs as a ‘Man of a Certain Age – the backing band for HENRY PRIESTMAN for his local gigs and sometimes further afield, and as an occasional musician for the Goathland Plough Stots, and the Flamborough Longsword Team.
His first solo CD release in 2017 was entitled SHADOWS & CANDLELIGHT which included the single ‘IN YOUR DREAMS’ which got much local radio airplay -including twice daily airings on Beverley FM when Martin was chosen as Artist of the Week -twice. The album itself got positive reviews from the likes of R2 and Maverick, and airplay across the country, not least for its ‘outstanding production’ and impressive list of guest musicians. They included BJ Cole, Paul Liddell, Olivier Demers, Les Glover and ‘locals’ Henry Priestman, Katie Spencer, Hugh Whitaker, Tony Underwood, Dez Allenby, Garry Pullen, Nick Rooke, Hazel Richings, Linda Kelly, Sarah Shiels, Mollie Robinson, Emily Blackledge, Gary Hammond, Sue Murray, Sue Dyson, Jo Binnington, Simon Reeves, Mick Harding, Hollie Baker, and Keith ‘Ched’ Cheeseman!
His 2020 released EP ‘The Larun Beat’ features local musicians Peter Robinson, Emily River Thomson, Andrew Kneeshaw, Kelvin Baldwin and Steve Peirson. The four self-written songs were recorded in Beverley with an aim to create technically interesting sounds yet feel like a band were playing together in the same room Two of the songs were inspired by Martin’s relatives: ‘Picture Postcards’ is a love song about his Grandmother’s teenage courting days in Swine near Hull, and ‘Harry Walked’ tells the story of his Darlington-based uncle who at the age of eighteen, emigrated to Canada. Other tracks are ‘Get Up Get Down’ and ‘Smile If You Get To Sixty’.
Martin has also been included on two other recent albums celebrating 50 Years of Fairview Studios. ‘A Perfect Combination’ included an archive Diggory Venn track and Fairview @ 50 includes a brand new Martin Peirson track recorded at the legendary studio. Diggory Venn was a Beverley based band that included Martin that recorded at Fairview regularly throughout the seventies. It evolved into Jump the Gun, though Martin left that line up before any recordings were made.
COOL CAT was released in 2025 recorded and produced by John Cox, and included a single I KNOW WHY, which featured the bass playing of Peter Robinson, Martin’s lifelong musical associate and friend. It was the last piece of music that they worked together on, as Peter passed away later that year. All proceeds from the single and a cut of the album were donated to Cancer Research UK.
More information about these can be found on the HISTORY page.
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