The Essen, Germany born singer-songwriter is a troubadour in the truest sense of the word. He has long been at home on the world’s stages, playing his music in Scandinavia, Ireland, England and Scotland, Greenland and the USA.
Praetorius has been a regular visitor to the Irish shores for over 25 years. After several years of touring without a fixed base, he now spends most of his time in Ireland, connecting with folk and trad musicians alike, learning, collaborating and exploring.
One of his recent releases, ‘Down to the sea’, finds him working with the great Clare Uilleann Piper Blackie O’Connell.
Martin Praetorius has won a host of admirers for his talent, including Fiachna Ó Braonáin of RTÉ Radio 1 and the Hothouse Flowers and Eoin O’Neill of Clare FM, and has become a regular feature on Irish radio.
With a keen sense of the situation, he fuses a unique blend of folk, rock, Americana, Celtic influences and storytelling into a larger framework and takes his listeners on a journey.
Although inspired by many of the great songwriters, and often sharing the stage with well-known acts from the international songwriting scene, Martin Praetorius presents his own style, singing short stories that aim point-blank, straight at the heart.
He has released two albums under his own name, “Affairs of the heart” and the latest, “Tales from the feverworld”, on the German label POTTpeople.
The new album, “It’s Ok, I’m still laughing!” is scheduled for release in 2023.
Here’s what people say:
“A ‘Late Date’ favourite.”
Fiachna Ó Braonain, RTE Radio 1, Ireland
“The German with the Irish heart.
David Dee Moore, Acoustic Yard Radio Show
“One of our own.”
Eoin O’Neill, Clare FM
“It’s hard to take on classic tunes like that and leave some sort of imprint of your own, but fair play to Martin Praetorius, that’s a fine version of Van Morrison’s ‘Into the mystic’.”
Ralph Mc Lean, BBC Radio Ulster
“Martin Praetorius retaining a sense of Celtic grace with his version of Van Morrison’s ‘Into the mystic.’ Who would dare cover Van Morrison in such a brilliant way!”
Alex Huskisson, Mystery Train Radio, UK
Martin Praetorius uses Kyser Capos, and Faith Guitars courtesy of Musik Wein.
