GO! In studio: Martyr Kanin
There’s no easy way to explain the meaning behind the band name Martyr Kanin, but singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Miskanin III offers his best simplistic explanation.
“Martyr Kanin (pronounced ) was originally supposed to be a mere stage-name for my songwriting. I originally chose a moniker because I wanted the music to represent itself, not me. I was reading some stories from the Bible about Cain and Abel when I stumbled across the word ‘martyr’ and was confused by how it was used in the story. So, after doing further research, I realized that the biblical definition of the word ‘martyr’ is not exactly the same definition that we know it as today,” he said.
Explaining many old Biblical verses define a “martyr” as one who bears witness of truth or testimony of truth for what is seen or known.
“With this enlightenment, I realized that songwriting was literally a ‘testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known,’ said Michael.
Kanin was a play on his last name.
“So to always remind me of my roots, I tore the last half of his real last name off Kanin, but pronounced it Kay-nin to always remind me of the roots to the ‘martyr’ in his songwriting: Hence – the story of Cain and Abel — Kanin. Martyr Kanin. Sorry you asked, right?” he joked.
Joining the Uniontown native in the trio are Charlie “Chas” Kiel from Connellsville (drums, keys and back up vocals) and Ross Hamilton, originally from Solihull, England now residing in Dunbar (bass).
The band’s latest album “Black and Blue” is a diverse mix of their signature blues and rock.
“Martyr Kanin’s listeners know us as eclectic rock since the range of emotion and sound can differ greatly from song to song. I guess that stems from our wide range of inspiration,” said Miskanin. “Inspiration can come in many forms: from the love and appreciation of tree dancing in a calm breeze to the sound of Mother Nature’s music — to the stress of crumbling relationships.”
Among the album’s tracks that outlines Martyr Kanin are “I Can’t Explain It,” a softer rock melody, “Cruise Control,” a bluesy punch that features Miskanin on the harmonica, “Dead Man’s Hand” and “Devil’s Playground,” which are a bit darker and more ominous, and “Goin’ Anyway,” a bit of an arena rock anthem.
“Black and Blue” was recorded in 2015 at Audible Images in Pittsburgh and is the third album from Martyr Kanin, following “Palm of a Shadow” that Miskanin recorded solo in 2011 and “Martyr Kanin” an acoustic album recorded in 2013.
Miskanin is the chief songwriter in the band but there’s definitely a group dynamic involved.
“It’s not until the group gets together as a whole that a song is put together in full and considered born. The inspiration for my songwriting as a whole stems from prayer, and I don’t mean ‘in church giving thanks prayer.’ I mean the type of prayer that helps you get through a stressful day; the type of prayer you say as your wife and kids get on a plane and you want to keep them safe; the type of prayer when you just scream out loud and ask ‘why is this happening to me?'” he explained.
Martyr Kanin is a tight-knit group that loves representing and supporting the community and local charities including the Western Pa National Wild Animal Orphanage, Love for Logan, Center for Victims, the Fayette Striders, Alexandra’s Butterflies of Hope, Toys for Tots, and the annual Juvenile Diabetes Bike Run to name a few.
Although “Kanin” has no true definition, the band likes to define it as the spirit behind why it was chosen.
“A present state of reminiscence into one’s past alongside the prognostication of one’s future,” said Miskanin adding, remember where you come from, appreciate where you are in life and the good you have been given and know where you want to go.
With the support of fans, friends, family, manager, stage, sound and technical crew, Martyr Kanin is looking forward to making more music with upcoming shows at the Altar Bar in Pittsburgh in March.
“We play every note with all our heart and soul, whether it’s to a room of empty chairs or a sold out arena,” said Miskanin.
“We hope for a brighter future and we Plan to just keep playing on as a group, hopefully getting our music out to the entire world,” he said.