Things are always exciting when you’re deep in the creative trenches, working on awesome branding and design projects. Nothing new there. However, nothing makes it more exciting than having more creative minds and perspectives along for the ride.

With the launch of Lynn Music Foundation’s new website and brand, we’re excited to feature Chris Martin: Lynn Music Foundation’s co-founder and (literal) swiss army knife team member (creative, marketing, finance, negotiations, he literally does everything!). From humble beginnings as a live music photographer and videographer, to running different ventures within arts & entertainment, Chris has always had the entrepreneurial spark in spades and it’s rare when he doesn’t have a creative, new idea.

We’re getting the deep dive on him and what he’s about below:

To start, tell us about your background and what brought you here.

I started my career in music at a record label called Deathwish Inc. It's the place where I learned all of my music industry chops and how to work with artists. After my time in music I went off to learn graphic design because I wanted to do something in the creative field but can still be aligned with music.

I reached out to Chris Santoro and mentioned I wanted to learn design. He took me under his wing and mentored me while he was an art director and partner at his previous agency. This is where I learned the fundamentals of design and gave me the tools needed to start working as a designer.

I went off to freelance in design and film for a few years. During this time I co-founded Grind House Recordings with Edwin Cabrera, a production company that shines a light on hip hop culture. This opened up a lot of community projects and events which ended up helping foster our non-profit Lynn Music Foundation.

Today I work as a Creative Director/Designer for my creative studio Antihero Studios where we do a combination of film and design. I also work for our non-profit Lynn Music Foundation that I co-founded with Edwin Cabrera and Jay Moon as an executive director of operations.

What sparked the idea for the Lynn Music Foundation? What did it take to get the organization started?

The Lynn Music Foundation happened in a very organic way. We were doing a bunch of different community projects and events. Some of the projects include Lynn Hip Hop Wall of Fame and the Lynn Hip Hop Exhibit at Lynn Museum. Both projects showcase talented artists from Lynn and try to give them a platform. We also had a very successful live event called Keep Moving Forward Festival with 500+ in attendance in our first year. We realized we needed to put all of these projects under an organization, the Lynn Music Foundation was born.

You have an extremely varied background within marketing and creative production, but everything seems to stem from this entrepreneurial spirit of yours. Have your professional experiences thus far met or exceeded your expectations?

I’ve spent time in varying industries with different roles which has given me an edge. Especially as a Creative Director because it gives me a big picture perspective of the organization that I’m working with. Also I just like building things that I think are cool. It's really that simple…aha.

Take us through a day in your life. What does that look like?

Start the day off with LOTS OF COFFEE. My days are all different based on what I have in the pipeline. Lynn Music Foundation has been my main focus this year, building a non-profit has been challenging but rewarding at the same time. Some days I’m wearing my designer/creative director hat working with freelance clients through my creative studio Antihero. Then I have my days where I’m shooting content for our production company Grind House Recordings. In that same vein, sometimes I’ll work with friends that are shooting films and videos as a sound mixer, assistant director, producer etc. Just like being part of interesting creative projects,

Brand in my opinion is the most important piece to building a company, perception is everything. creating your brand and voice of your organization should be the first thing someone does when wanting to bring their idea to life. It solves a lot of issues with your organization, products, and projects.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

Strategy used to be the part I disliked the most but I really enjoy that aspect now. Learning about a project and building a plan then seeing it turn into something is amazing. I’ve also been collaborating more with other creatives which is fun because you can bounce off ideas with someone and create an even stronger idea.

Design has changed leaps and bounds over the years, especially the need for great design in business. What are your thoughts on that, and how have you experienced this in the work we’ve done together?

Brand in my opinion is the most important piece to building a company, perception is everything. creating your brand and voice of your organization should be the first thing someone does when wanting to bring their idea to life. It solves a lot of issues with your organization, products, and projects.

Top 5 Favorite Artists/Bands. Go.

In no particular order…also this list is always changing

1. Converge

2. Fiddlehead

3. Turnstile

4. High Vis (new favorite)

5. Restraining Order (also new favorite)

Where can people find and follow you?

@Chrism_martin (Personal IG)
@antiherostudios (Creative Studio IG)
@grindhouserecordings (Production Company IG)