Bio

A Wisconsin native, David Paul-Martin Niemi grew up in a musical family and was surrounded by church music at a young age. Not too long after drum lessons became cooler than piano lessons, David was exposed to bluegrass and began learning to play mandolin. After receiving a Tascam 4-track tape recorder and a single microphone, a whole new world of musical possibilities opened for the young songwriter. 

Five dark years of illness leading up to high school became the catalyst for a lifelong passion for songwriting and musical expression. Beating Guitar Hero for PS2 on "medium" during long days at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital wasn’t going to cut it for the determined middle-schooler, so he picked up the electric guitar. Studying vocal performance and audio production in college, performing in jazz and concert bands, directing church music, and performing at regional music festivals only fed David’s determination to learn and grow as an artist. 

After finding his last name was too difficult for fans to pronounce, David coined the stage name “David Paul Martin.” His debut full-length album, Human Satellite, was released in July of 2017. A ten-song concept album, Human Satellite follows the journey of a lonely astronaut adrift in the cosmos and explores feelings of loss, purpose, home, and starting again. All the instruments and vocals were performed, recorded, and mixed by David at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Studios and his home studio.  

In 2018, David moved his recording studio to the Refuge Foundation for the Arts in Appleton, WI, enjoying a year-long artist residency at the former Franciscan monastery turned creative space. In April 2018, David released his first single, “Skin and Bones.” In June 2018, he released his second single, “Love Doesn't Have a Color.” In November 2019, his music took a progressively more funky turn with the release of single, “Milky Way,” followed by “Kite” in February 2020. 

In addition to his own solo project, David teaches private music lessons, does studio work, and has managed audio productions for Branford Marsalis, Susto, Glen Miller Orchestra, Maggie Rogers, Judith Hill, Meg Meyers, and others. 

David Paul Martin has shared stages with Phillip Phillips, Mike Campbell, Mason Jennings, Joe Hertler, Kainalu, and many other national and regional acts. 

All of his music is available for download or streaming on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and others.