Hamilton-based artist Leah Martel has just released her second single, “Not Cool”. Following up her equally relatable debut, “Everybody Out,” the new song is an indie/alt-pop track all about growing up as the weird, unpopular kid… and learning to embrace it. We caught up with Leah to chat about the new music, her non-musical hobbies, and what her superhero alter ego would be (spoiler alert: it’s the kindest response we’ve ever gotten to that question).

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Not Cool”.

Leah Martel: After surviving elementary and high school, working in customer service and an office job, going to college and university I realized I still have not overcome social anxiety. So, while enduring lockdown back in my childhood bedroom and living with the absurdity of still caring what people think even when no one else is around, I wrote this song about it so I could finally try to stop caring so much.

I was listening to a lot of synth/pop and pop/rock music that had these nice gritty sounds and were more riff based and had always wanted to write more upbeat songs with funs sounds and riffs but never really knew how and so I had this idea for the riff you hear at the beginning but it was so hard to write a verse melody with it and somehow plunk out chords on guitar that weren’t really a riff at all and the whole thing felt very janky for a while. I eventually settled in on the groove but I was still pretty nervous about how it would come together since it was rehearsed and recorded more as a rock song with no synth parts or background harmonies at the time so recorded around 20 different background vocals at home and spent a wonderful evening with very skilled and very dear friend Ian Aisling just playing with synth sounds trying to create more of a world for this song to live in. I’m so happy with how it turned out and I couldn’t have done it without him.

From The Strait: What are some of your non-musical hobbies?

Leah Martel: Well since I was about 14 I’ve had this tradition of going for accidentally too long walks/hikes because I couldn’t resist exploring a new trail/neighborhood but then I ended up somewhere far away in another area of the city and I need to call home for someone to pick me up cause I’m tired and my phone’s about to die and I’m not trekking home without music. I also like reading various things including hunting down any article or study about a topic/question I suddenly became interested in but also books. I’ve currently been really into Amanda Montell’s books. Oh, and I like re-watching my favourite movies and shows and looking for new things in them each time by way of over-analyzing the cinematography, editing, symbolism, writing, acting, etc.

From The Strait: Which bands or artists are you listening to most right now?

Leah Martel: Probably Chappell Roan and Hozier at the moment.

From The Strait: Imagine you were selling out stadiums – what would you put on your rider?

Leah Martel: Hmm, probably some noise cancelling headphones and private space with a cozy chair and soft blanket so I could try to keep the anxiety at bay and not get overstimulated before the shows.

From The Strait: If you were a superhero, what would be your name and superpower?

Leah Martel: I don’t think I’d have a special name cause I wouldn’t want to be known but I think that my power would be to make everyone realize they (along with everyone else) are inherently worthy and deserving of everything good in life just by existing. I don’t mean to be corny, I just think that if everyone truly felt and thought that, a lot of our societal problems and suffering would be resolved and we would be living in a much nicer world.

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Check out “Not Cool” – the new single from Leah Martel!

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