Kevin Martin of Candlebox

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kevin Martin ahead of Candlebox’s March 8th performance at Charleston Music Hall. What followed was an honest and wide ranging conversation about legacy, identity, and what comes next.

Martin confirmed a long standing rumor about the band’s 1998 show at the Music Farm in Charleston, where the energy of the night literally blew out the PA system. Nearly three decades later, he still calls Charleston his favorite city in the United States, praising local crowds as real music lovers and saying he has never had a bad show here.

The interview also explores Candlebox’s creative evolution and the band’s next chapter. Kevin and original guitarist Peter Klett are currently working on eight new songs for a project with the working title Misunderstood. While no new material is ready to debut live just yet, the pair are excited about tapping into something they have not explored together in over fifteen years.

Martin reflects on his lifelong calling to music, saying, “Life is written down for you before you start it.” Inspired early on by Andrew Wood and Ian Astbury, and raised in a home filled with jazz and gospel, he always knew he wanted to be an artist. Even after more than thirty years, he still considers himself a reluctant lead singer and says his earliest work remains a true reflection of who he’s always been.

The conversation also dives into the future of rock and alternative music. Martin shares concerns about cookie cutter trends and the growing influence of AI, emphasizing the importance of originality and encouraging young artists to revisit the music that first inspired them.

Listen to the full interview with Kevin Martin below and catch Candlebox live at Charleston Music Hall on March 8.

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