Sage Martens

Sage Martens is a musical project involving Matthew Sage and Lieven Martens, known for blending sounds that evoke a unique take on Americana and Western themes. Their album *Riding Fences* explores the elusive and often romanticized idea of the American West, with Sage reflecting on how this concept has become a kind of echoed fantasy, while Martens brings a European perspective shaped by media and cultural imports. Their music creatively captures this blend of nostalgia and reinterpretation, with texture-rich compositions that suggest landscapes both real and imagined.

Their 2025 release *Chamber Music for Lawn Mowers* exemplifies their inventive approach by turning everyday sounds—like the hum and sputter of lawn mowers—into a kind of ambient chamber music. This project highlights their talent for weaving environmental noise into harmonic, almost orchestral experiences, revealing a thoughtful and playful engagement with soundscapes usually disregarded as mere background noise. Sage Martens' work stands out for its experimental yet accessible style, making listeners rethink familiar themes and sounds in fresh, evocative ways.