Making the leap from background performer to center stage is one thing. But when you’re making the leap from background dancer to featured performer you’re treading in rare waters.
Fresh off a starring turn as the male lead in the posthumous Michael Jackson video “A Place With No Name,” Alvester Martin is ready to make his own mark in the music world with his upcoming debut album entitled Love Me or Leave Me.
Having toured and performed with such icons as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Queen Latifah, Martin says it’s his time to sing his own songs.
“I’ve spent almost a decade learning, studying, and watching the greats, while silencing my own song. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for the experience and opportunity, but this — my own music — it’s freedom” Alvester says.
Martin recently spoke with rolling out about his new project, performing with Beyoncé at the VMA’s, and being part of a Michael Jackson video.
You’re transitioning from dancer to singer. Have you always had a lover for both? Does one trump the other?
Actually I moved to LA to pursue music and really kinda fell into dancing by a friend referring me to his agent. But to answer the question I always loved both, but in all honesty I’d have to say music is and has always been number one for me.
Talk about the honor of starring in an Michael Jackson video. Was he someone you looked up to as a singer and dancer?
The first word that comes to mind is wow! I love Michael Jackson, and strongly aspired to be Michael Jackson. He’s really the reason I even wanted to become an entertainer. Funny story; when I was about 4-years- old, I broke my leg in my grandparents’ kitchen trying to do the moon walk while watching his “Billie Jean” video. So yeah, having the honor of doing that video was huge for me. To me, it’s the biggest highlight of my career thus far. The truth is that it was more than just shooting a video to me; it was an amazing opportunity to be apart of Michael’s legacy, thus making that little 4-year-old kid’s, who was in his grandparents’ kitchen, dream come true.
Having performed with so many great artists, including just recently with Beyoncé at the VMA’s, what things were you able to pick up and learn from them?
That’s a great question, I’ve learned so much. I could really go on for hours about the all great things I’ve learned from each person, even when things weren’t so great, it was still something to gain. For instance, touring with a certain artist, I learned the kind of artist that I did not want to be. I say that because that’s something to cherish because I wouldn’t have learned how not to be if I didn’t experience working with that person. As for Beyoncé, she is absolutely 100 percent amazing. A lot of people don’t know that I started out my career once I moved to LA with her … and been working with her off and on for about 10 years now. She’s such a hard worker and I’m so thankful to have worked with her for so long. By watching her, I’ve learned what it really takes to not only be in this industry, but to be successful in this industry. At the end of the day your craft comes first. Work on your talent and your art because no one can take that away from you. Everything else comes and goes
Tell us about your single “So High” and your album Love Me Or Leave Me.
I actually have two singles out right now for people to listen to on Soundcloud, “So High” and “When I’m With You.” As for “So High,” it’s a real smooth record that I wrote about being intoxicated by a girl and just the mere presence of her. There’s a little throwback to 90’s R&B on that record. I love the feel of it. To be honest, I’m a big fan of 90’s music. I grew up in the 90’s. Music just felt good back then. I don’t like trends. I kinda march to the beat of my own drum. I do what feels good to me. With my album Love Me or Leave Me I’m really concentrating on real music, like it was back then. I’m a bit of a lover boy, and I wear my heart on my sleeve, which is good and bad. So the album reflects all sides of love; good and bad, being head over heels in love to being heartbroken, jaded, out of love, hating that chick, and sometimes just confused because you don’t know how you feel.
What mark does Alvester Martin want to leave as an artist?
As an artist, it’s simple for me. I want people to know me for my work, the quality of it, whether it be music, acting, or dancing. When anyone sees anything I’ve done or will do, I want them to know that I am an artist that puts 100 percent of his heart and soul into whatever it was that they are seeing or hearing. I want people to know that Alvester Martin will never cheat you. He will give his all when it comes to his art and craft.
Check out Martin’s single “So High” by clicking on his soundcloud page.
Stay in touch with Alvester by following him on his social networks : Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For more info on Alvester, check out his website www.iamalvester.com
-tj armour / @tjarmour
