Josh Martin (from left) and Scott Gardner rehearse. Sleeper Agent is one of six female-fronted bands or female artists in the running to appear on the back cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The Bowling Green band features Tony Smith, Justin WIlson, Josh Martin, Alex Kandel, Lee WIlliams, and Scott Gardner. (Photo by Joe Imel/Daily News)

1. Sleeper Agent Website
2. Grady Martin YouTube autogenerated playlist
3. Biography of Grady Martin by Josh Martin
4. Chris Nathan on Facebook

Josh Martin became a member of Sleeper Agent after being called in as a sessions guitarist to complete their debut Mom+Pop release Celebrasion.  The following is a short interview with Martin conducted via email as followup to research for an article on the evolution of the Bowling Green band which gained national exposure throughout 2011. 

Tony said somewhere that you and Scott were into “really obscure, whiny folk music”, can you give some examples? How has your taste in music changed over the years?

I dunno what Tony meant by that because I don’t really listen to much folk music. I do have Hank Sr. on my iPod… maybe that’s what he’s talking about? Other folky artists I like might be Bela Fleck, Jerry Reed, early Bob Dylan, etc. Oh yeah, I also like that album Robert Plant did with Allison Krauss.

I say I’m into all kinds of music because I can usually find at least one element that I can appreciate, no matter what the song or style. I’m primarily a fan of the guitar but over the years I’ve grown to respect any music that epitomizes culture. These days I’m more drawn to memorable melodies and interesting harmonies.

I would assume your introduction to folk came through your father who was an A-list sessions player and performed on albums for the likes of Joan Baez, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly as well as toured for 16 years with Willie Nelson? Did you have childhood experiences with any of the legends he collaborated with?

My dad was a famous guitarist so I did have some childhood experiences that were kinda cool. Like being on the golf course with Willie Nelson or being in the studio while dad recorded with Merle Haggard. But, I was just a kid taggin’ along with his dad, and I didn’t realize how cool it was at the time.

The bio you wrote on your dad mentions that his mother was one of his biggest music influences. Were you also able to learn from her? What if any advice about the music business did your father give you?

My dad’s parents died before I was born so I don’t know much about them. To answer your question, I suppose it’s possible that I picked up a few things from dad that maybe he picked up from his mom. I guess the love of the guitar can get passed down through the generations even if you never met ’em.

The advice my dad gave me was actually not to get into the music business because he knew how difficult it is to make a living. He talked like he wanted me to go to school and be a surgeon or something, but deep down I think he would be proud I followed in his footsteps.

Though you are from TN, I read somewhere it was actually when you were hanging out in LA that Sleeper Agent met you and enlisted you for some sessions work on Celebrasion. Is that correct? If so what were you doing out there?

Yeah. I wanted to make a documentary about Grady Martin and discovering the path he cut in music history. I was in LA taking some meetings and looking for a filmmaker. While I was there I went to the KROQ weenie roast to hang with some friends. I was hangin’ with Brad from Cage and he asked me if I played sessions in Nashville. He told me about Sleeper Agent and that they might’ve lost their lead guitarist. Some months later I got a call from Zum to head over to Jay Joyce’s studio to play on an album.

Celebrasion was already written when you became a permanent band member. This time around you are there from the beginning of the creative process. How is that working so far? Is there anything you feel that you are bringing to the table that may be a noticeable change in the evolution of the music from the first to the second album?

It’s great so far. I don’t think I’ll be changing anything. I’ll approach the same way I always do. I just do what comes natural and I naturally trust my band to do what they do. We’re making tons of new songs. Some songs sound like the first album but some songs sound like a new album. It all sounds like Sleeper Agent.

The LA Times referred to you as a “…lanky Joey Ramone dead ringer” what did you think of that comparison?

I like the Ramones and Im glad to be compared to someone kinda cool like that. Even though it’s probably just the hair cut, or lack thereof.

You were another of the good students in this band who also favored English. What was your major in college and what made you decide to leave? Do you have much formal training in your music history?

I didn’t stay in college long enough to declare a major. I decided to leave because I was tired of schooling and I wanted to play guitar. I haven’t had much formal training in music but I’ve worked with enough musicians to where I’ve picked up on the things you need to know to get by.

You still have another project going, an acoustic/soul group lead by songwriter Chris Nathan in Nashville. How long have you been working with him? With such a diverse range of projects, have you ever started your own band or thought about it and if so what kind?

I’ve known Chris Nathan for years now and he has one of the best soul voices I’ve ever encountered. We’re really great friends and we hang out all the time so I’ll always sit in with him when I have time off. It gives me an outlet to play some blues and jazz and funk.

I don’t start bands but if I did, it wouldn’t be any particular kind of band. It would just depend on the songs. I play all styles of music so I rely on the song. As long as a song gets what it needs, it will return the favor. Good songs are usually good songs, no matter how you play ’em.