Marc Martel has announced the release of his solo album
Impersonator alongside the stream of lead single "Paradise"
via USA Today. The album will release September 30.
Impersonator is the latest step in what has been a wild career ride for Martel. After over a decade with Canadian Christian rock group Downhere, the versatile singer took a shot at auditioning to sing iconic Freddie Mercury's role on the 2012 Queen Extravaganza Tour. The stunning
YouTube video audition went viral, securing him a position on the tour and also launching a whole new era for the artist. Queen-fueled-fame led to appearances on high-profile shows such as
Ellen and
American Idol.
In an
interview with USA Today accompanying the single stream, Martel explains that the album explores the tensions created by being a unique artist in his own right who gains a high profile by impersonating another artist: "That's kind of what the album's about, having to be all things to all people and still having to be myself."
As a result, the new single displays a sound that is different from anything the artist has released before, drawing on experiences in Downhere and Queen but using them as a doorway to completely new territory.
After wrapping a Queen Extravaganza UK tour, Martel plans to tour in support of his solo release later this year. The album is now available for preorder at
http://smarturl.it/Martelimpersonator.
