The roar of the crowd, the blinding spotlight, the electric thrill of the stage—it’s a dream freshman Adrian Martin has held onto for years. Soon, she’ll step into that spotlight, not as Adrian, but as STRINGZ, a name as unique and resonant as her musical ambitions.
Adrian’s journey to the stage has been shaped by early influences, personal drive and the powerful bonds of friendship. From the inspiration of rock idols to the quiet encouragement of her father, music has always been a driving force in her life.
“I have always been really into music, even before I started making [music]. I’ve always loved listening to it,” Adrian said.
Now, with original songs in hand and a dedicated drummer by her side, Adrian is looking forward to making her mark on the music scene and connecting with audiences.
Adrian first became involved with making music while watching a My Chemical Romance (MCR) live concert. Her mom already owned a guitar, so Adrian learned to play, wanting to be like some of her biggest idols: Ray Toro from MCR, Frank Iero and Jacky Vincent.
While her passion for music was inspired by her idols, Adrian’s motivation runs even deeper.
Though Adrian chose to explore her creativity in music independently, her interest originates from her father. He continues to be someone she looks up to, and is one of the reasons she decided to learn guitar.
“The first few days of me playing guitar, he was like, ‘If I could learn to play one instrument, it would be guitar,’ So I was like, ‘I should do this for myself and my dad,’” Adrian said.
Adrian devotes a sizable amount of her time to playing music, with her sometimes spending up to two hours, whether that be writing or playing. While it can be a trying task at times, it has largely paid off for Adrian.
“It’s hard, but it’s worth it because I can play songs that I actually like to listen to now,” Adrian said.
This early connection to music laid the groundwork for her creative pursuits. Adrian first got the idea of joining a band from MCR, but later decided to create one instead after watching a Black Veil Brides interview.
“I had been like, these people will come to me, and I’ll join a band. And then I was like, no, I’ll just make my own,” Adrian said.
Adrian wants a strong connection between band members while creating music.
“When I picture people in a band writing, I always picture them in like one certain room, sitting down for hours and hours writing stuff. So I kind of picture us having that collaborative kind of aspect of it,” Adrian said.
For Adrian and her best friend and drummer, Chloe Kruse, music is the foundation of their bond.
Adrian and Chloe first started becoming close as they bonded over music. Music has become such a big part of their relationship, with both of them having dreams of a musical future together.
“We are going to create music that we both enjoy, that is equally important to both of us,” Chloe said.
For Adrian, a future in music isn’t just a dream; it’s a goal she’s actively pursuing.
A music career is extremely important to Adrian, which is why she wants to release music to the public soon. Adrian has written four songs but is currently just performing them for close friends and family. Releasing music now is important to creating a platform for herself.
For years, Adrian has dreamed of being up on stage with the spotlight shining down directly at her.
“I really want to be up on stage and hear people cheering my name,” Adrian said. But when she finally takes that leap, she will go by the alias of STRINGZ, inspired by the strings of a guitar.
Adrian wants to relish in this stardom within certain genres, but admits hardships when trying to compose herself to create specific types of music.
Adrian focuses on rock and emo music, but her mood will often dictate the vibe of her work.
“I’m a very happy person most of the time. A majority of the time, [my music] is more upbeat, and then I’m thinking to myself, ‘Wait, no, I’m making emo music, this needs to be sad,’” Adrian said.
While most of her work is instrument-heavy and without lyrics, Adrian’s songwriting process is deeply connected to her emotions.
“I’m in the middle of crying or something, and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, I hate my life.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, wait, that would be a good lyric,’” Adrian said.
But this introspective side of Adrian, often channeled into her music, contrasts sharply with the personality her friends know and love.
Kiira and Adrian, who have bonded over music and shared jokes during their years of guitar lessons at Palen Music Center, have developed a close friendship.
“She always knows how to lighten the mood, and she’s always laughing. Her laugh is very contagious,” Kiira Silver said.
