"San Francisco is a mecca for avant-garde and eclectic artists; as the city has historically had a migration of people coming from areas of the country where they were suppressed economically, artistically and spiritually!"

Natalie Martel: San Francisco Echoes

Canadian born, San Francisco-based singer/guitarist Natalie Martel, has a long history of involvement in the San Francisco Bay area music scene. She shared the stage with Nick Gravenites, Barry "The Fish" Melton, John Lee Hooker, Big Brother & The Holding Co., John Cipollina, Harvey "The Snake" Mandel, Banana, and many others. Natalie says: "To describe my sound would depend on the material. I have a blend of styles that make up my original compositions. From acoustic roots folk to hard edged eclectic electric rock! Strong rhythm driven melodies laced with partial chord fills and single note frills. My creative drive is fueled by personal experience. Lyrical content allows me to process, grow and heal as life's lessons come full circle when a composition is complete. My philosophy is simple; to live and let live, to treat others as you would like to be treated, and to be grateful!" 

(Natalie Martel / Photos © by Bruce Forrester & Isabella Macfarlane)

Natalie Martel still working on her new album, featuring many Bay area artists: Earnest Carter and Roy Blumenfeld on drums, Pete Sears on piano, Banana, Peter Albin on Bass as well as Mario Cipollina, Tony Saunders and Liam Hanarrhan, David Aguilar and Rich Kirch on guitar, Barry Melton, and also Terry Hagerty on guitar. Natalie says: "Rock and roll and blues is now so under-represented in the mainstream. My hopes are for people to realize the importance of supporting local and regional talent. By doing so, the whole community benefits. Venues, artists, stuff and residents are literally feeding each other's body and soul - not the corporate culture, mega-star mentality beast!" 

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Rock n Roll Counterculture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Rock and roll counterculture triggered my mind and brought heightened awareness to world issues. As it contradicted societal norms and embraced free thinking. A child of the 70's in Canada, I was raised to fit into standard gender molds. Not to question elders, authority, government or religion. Individual thought processing, and analysis of mainstream facts and reasoning, was considered confrontational and irrational!! Don't worry your pretty little head over things like that!!!!! The psychedelic unbridled freedom imploded my core, roots raw, spontaneity invigorated!!!!

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

To describe my sound would depend on the material. I have a blend of styles that make up my original compositions. From acoustic roots folk to hard edged eclectic electric rock! Strong rhythm driven melodies laced with partial chord fills and single note frills.

My creative drive is fueled by personal experience. Lyrical content allows me to process, grow and heal as life's lessons come full circle when a composition is complete. My philosophy is simple; to live and let live, to treat others as you would like to be treated, and to be grateful!!!                         (Natalie Martel & John Cipollina / Photo by © Ed Perlstein)

"Rock and roll counterculture triggered my mind and brought heightened awareness to world issues. As it contradicted societal norms and embraced free thinking. A child of the 70's in Canada, I was raised to fit into standard gender molds. Not to question elders, authority, government or religion. Individual thought processing, and analysis of mainstream facts and reasoning, was considered confrontational and irrational!! Don't worry your pretty little head over things like that!!!!! The psychedelic unbridled freedom imploded my core, roots raw, spontaneity invigorated!!!!"

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you?

The meetings that have been most important for me are: My first music teacher Mr. Bill Brown, who turned my high energy into participation and encouraged me to sing in the junior choir.

My folk group leader Huey Mac Alear; through his nurturing and experience, I learned how to be part of a group. He encouraged me to sing and play acoustic guitar. John Cipollina, who taught me how to be a partner, also encouraged me to write and play electric guitar. The common thread in the development of musicality or any endeavor is ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!!!

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice was be humble and leave your hard luck story at the door!!!

Don't compromise the integrity of the band!!! Embrace yourself.

Why do you think that the John Cipollina music continues to generate such a devoted following?

The music of John Cipollina is an indelible resonance that permeates the ethers. John’s style and sound has been historically noted - piercing in its tonality, attack and rhythmic phrasing. Many masters have been copied and duplicated, John’s playing remains unique! and will remain distinguished as his own signature sound down through the ages!!!!The biting trebled vibrato cannot be compared. To this day iconic guitarists will agree… He designed his own guitars and amps, his own specs, and was an innovator of the psychedelic San Francisco sound. A one of a kind, his gentle soul and musicianship gone, but not ever to be forgotten!!!!!

"The best advice was be humble and leave your hard luck story at the door!!! Don't compromise the integrity of the band!!! Embrace yourself." (Natalie Martel on stage with Barry Melton, Banana, Peter Albin, Stevie Gurr, and Roy Blumenfeld, San Francisco - September 2022 / Photo © by Bruce Forrester)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Most memorable musical moments: Playing The BOOGIE with John Lee Hooker in Santa Cruz California. Nick Gravenites handing me his guitar at a show in San Francisco, California, with Harvey "The Snake" Mandel. I gave Nick a little break and traded licks with Harvey for a bit, until Nick took his guitar back, and with a big smile said you did good kid!!! Playing at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley, California, was a highlight despite the occasion, which was a tribute to my recently departed fiancé, John Cipollina. Joining John's close musician friends on stage for "Who do You Love." An emotional performance for each one of us!!! Going on tour and playing with Barry Melton these past couple of years has been extremely rewarding and forwarding both personally and musically!!

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

From the music of the past I miss… waiting for the newest releases and gathering with friends to listen intently and critique, discuss, then play it again!! 'Till the whole album was etched in our memory. I also miss the radio; I listened for hours to CHOM FM from Montreal, CHUM FM from Ottawa and other Canadian regional rock stations. There were few commercials and when there were the DJ's, they were the ones to present them: All kinds of characters with a variety of personalities, most quiet animated, funny and colorful!! They also would name the artist and the name of the cut they just spun. Live concerts were affordable for most young people. There were no cover bands of the rock genre, it was all fresh. Video killed the radio star!!! Rock and roll and blues is now so under-represented in the mainstream. My hopes are for people to realize the importance of supporting local and regional talent. By doing so, the whole community benefits. Venues, artists, stuff and residents are literally feeding each other's body and soul - not the corporate culture, mega-star mentality beast!!!!

"The music of John Cipollina is an indelible resonance that permeates the ethers. John’s style and sound has been historically noted - piercing in its tonality, attack and rhythmic phrasing. Many masters have been copied and duplicated, John’s playing remains unique! and will remain distinguished as his own signature sound down through the ages!!!!The biting trebled vibrato cannot be compared. To this day iconic guitarists will agree… He designed his own guitars and amps, his own specs, and was an innovator of the psychedelic San Francisco sound. A one of a kind, his gentle soul and musicianship gone, but not ever to be forgotten!" (Natalie Martel / Photos © by Bruce Forrester)

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

To be a female artist/musician is to experience all the gender bias that every woman regardless of occupation deals with every day! Sadly, change is slow when it comes to prejudice and discrimination.

It is refreshing to see more female guitarists and songwriters gaining notoriety and some success in the last decade.

"Larken Poe" (Rebecca and Megan Lovell) are a good example of women who are strong, gracious and talented, doing covers and originals that pay homage to a lot of blues icons!! Ana Popovic and Samantha Fish as well are amazing players and entertainers doing very well. To quote myself: "The man in charge is a woman around here!!!" Though the world has a long way to go to bring equality into everyday life!!!

A meeting point for people of all ages who are wild at heart, and favorite among hipsters, San Francisco is ahead of its time as it embraces. Why this city was a Mecca of avant-garde people?

San Francisco is a mecca for avant-garde and eclectic artists; as the city has historically had a migration of people coming from areas of the country where they were suppressed economically, artistically and spiritually! To go West young man/woman was to seek change and build a better life. From the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love, those adventurous types have found San Francisco to be more accepting of expression, and a haven for the arts and music. So, there is a common thread of courage and new beginnings!!

(Photo: Natalie Martel has a long history of involvement in the San Francisco Bay area music scene)