For well over a decade now, native Los Angelean, Terrace Martin, has logged in major studio sessions with some of the most high profile artists; i.e., Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Busta Rhymes, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq, YG and SZA, among others, in the game. The multi-faceted; rapper-singer-songwriter-record producer-multi-instrumentalist-actor, hexatruple threat’s latest tour-de-force goes by the name of The Pollyseeds.
Parlé Mag recently caught up with Martin to find out what exactly it means to be a “Pollyseed”…
Parlé Mag: First things first, please introduce for me the members of The Pollyseeds…
The Pollyseeds: The Pollyseeds are a collective of musicians placing music at the forefront, instead of the artist. The sound is the star, not the musician. We believe music heals, we play from our hearts. We tell you stories about our true experiences, be it with lyrics or chords. You can check the credits on the record, but there’s no staple roster for The Pollyseeds. If you hold the same principles, you’re a Pollyseed.
Parlé Mag: Let’s hop right into this single, “Up & Away”, tell me about this particular composition? How did it come to fruition?
The Pollyseeds: It’s one of my favorite songs. I love the messaging and the feeling I get when I hear it.
Parlé Mag: “Up & Away” comes courtesy of your debut – as a collective anyway – studio collection, The Sounds of Crenshaw Vol. 1. Tell me, conceptually, what that title represents?
The Pollyseeds: It’s a melting pot of sounds and experiences gathered together throughout time. We are from South Central Los Angeles, and we happen to be blessed with this gift of creating music. Crenshaw is a street that connects many different faces of Los Angeles. You get a bit of everything. That’s us. We are from the ‘hood, but well traveled. We are unrefined, but trained musicians. We play jazz music, and love Tupac. That’s Sounds of Crenshaw.
Parlé Mag: How did you all initially even come together to form the band?
The Pollyseeds: We all grew up together. You’ve heard that story a million times.
Parlé Mag: Now you all are either natives or transplants to Los Angeles, CA, correct? So coming up in the ‘City of Angels,’ who all did/do you consider to be your strongest influences?
The Pollyseeds: We are musicians, and to be great you have to be open. Our influences range from Blues and Soul music, to the funky shit the Parliaments did, which gave way to G-Funk. We move and sway to Jazz sounds, because it gives you something that you can’t get from anything else. We love Hip-Hop music. We like the passion and storytelling in Country. We love how much Gospel music has evolved… we’re a melting pot of these sounds.
Parlé Mag: Where does the name Pollyseeds originally derive from?
The Pollyseeds: The Pollyseeds come from sunflower seeds. In the ‘hood we grew up calling them polly seeds. Sunflowers are beautiful and bright. They represent peace and happiness, sunshine. All the seeds gathered together is like this collective, projecting this bright yellow color of joy. I wanted to merge the emotional response to seeing a sunflower to a nostalgic feeling of growing up in South Central.
Parlé Mag: What do you feel has been the ultimate key to your longevity?
The Pollyseeds: Constantly focused on my art, while being inspired by life.
Parlé Mag: What do you want people to get from your music?
The Pollyseeds: Feelings of love. Peace. I want it to provoke people to be honest, just as the music embracing its flaws and differences. I want the world to be better and for us all to connect through music. I want all that shit that people say they want America to be again; I want it to be true. I want us to be great and tied together with love. I think music can do that.
Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of music? And, even more specifically, where exactly do you “fit in” when it comes to today’s current/trending sound-scape?
The Pollyseeds: I think the current state of music is great! It’s diverse and I’m always learning of someone new and hearing something beautiful and strange that people are listening to. I think streaming is still working in favor of the unheard/undiscovered artist and that’s beautiful.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?
The Pollyseeds: My children inspire me daily. And I love dogs!
Parlé Mag: What has been your greatest career achievement(s), at least thus far?
The Pollyseeds: Recently happened, getting Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Snoop Dogg and Herbie Hancock on a record!
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
The Pollyseeds: I’ll speak for myself, Marvin Gaye. His sound is so soulful, and he gives you his spirit and heart when he sings.
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
The Pollyseeds: Honestly, outer space. That seems like it would be so dope! Off some George Clinton shit.
Parlé Mag: Lastly, what’s next for The Pollyseeds?
The Pollyseeds: The Pollyseeds are always creating and collaborating. We are touring the album and finding inspiration, as we’ve already begun on the next project!
Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?
The Pollyseeds: If you haven’t already heard the project, listen. If you haven’t already bought it, buy it.
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