Dave Martin - Sunburned Wisdom (2025)

Dave Martin is an acoustic guitar playing singer songwriter from Chicago who pens folk songs about pausing to reflect back over life to date and see the lessons and the history that brought us here. His latest album is Sunburned Wisdom, just newly released in August. It’s about appreciating the important but simple things and the particular paths that led us to our individual lives today.

The title track emotes optimism and sunshine from the initial acoustic guitar chords, in a song about having some wisdom now and looking back on younger days too: “at each turn I can how it’s been good to catch some sunburned wisdom.” The tap of tambourine adds a touch of good cheer. On “No Hard Feelings” Dave stays on the sunny side awhile longer: “I can’t help but smile looking back on the years and smile, there’s no hard feelings, I think I’ll stay here awhile.” The image of the new pastimes in a yellow house downtown adds just the right element of relatability.

On “Straits of Mackinac,” Dave waxes a bit more solemn and reflective, with the memories of easier times on the shorelines of Lake Michigan and an upswell of nostalgia for the simpler times. On “Retirement Plan” the vision of lake shores returns with enchantment, getting fired for being distracted, quitting smoking, and a vision for a future where the retirement plan is ultimately set in comfort and natural beauty.

In “Fairfield Farm” there’s looking back on the history of the family farm, working the land, and again Dave presents thoughtful reflection on family legacy and connection. Later in the album, “Not Leaving” offers the rich feeling of committing to love, kindness and home.