Rock band Birth of Happiness celebrates transformation

Manny Martinez’s band, Birth of Happiness, released its debut album on February 2nd, marking the beginning of a musical journey that delivers a message of radical hope and transformation. The Salem-based band kicked off their live performances in Seattle on August 2nd, with a number of performances to follow in the Salem area.

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Martinez always dreamed of starting a band. After earning his bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Martinez’s life took a dark turn as he fell into a severe alcohol addiction. He relocated to Salem, hoping the fresh start would help him kick his habit, but it only worsened. Martinez nearly bled out multiple times, an experience that often marks the end for severe alcoholics.

On his lowest night, Martinez staggered out of a Salem bar and collapsed on the sidewalk, fully conscious yet unable to move. “I was watching people pass by me, and the look they were giving me of disgust,” Martinez said. The shame of being “one of those people” washed over him as he laid there, still and silent.

The next day, Martinez dove head-long into an addiction recovery program. “I’m an all-or-nothing kind of guy,” Martinez said. “The same way I was all-or-nothing in my drinking, now I’m all-or-nothing in my recovery. I see it as a life-or-death thing every single day.” With more than five years of sobriety under his belt, Martinez’s persistent dedication has led to a total life transformation.

Birth of Happiness serves as a platform for Martinez to share his story. “My main mission and purpose these days is to inspire transformation for the people that are suffering from the hell of addiction,” Martinez said.

Martinez worked closely with his Berklee mentor, Bryan Baker, to produce the band’s first record and develop a sustainable business model. Baker, who Martinez called a “savant-level genius” in the music world, offers the technical expertise necessary for breaking into the highly-competitive music industry.

Working with Jason Carter at Wavelength Studio, Martinez raised $25,000 to cover production costs. Carter, who records with bands from all over the world, worked alongside Baker to bring Martinez’s creative vision to life in the studio. “Manny’s music is as authentic as it’s going to get,” Carter said. “I think there’s a huge audience out there of people who will love this album.”

In order to raise money, Martinez led a t-shirt campaign, selling Birth of Happiness shirts to community members before they could even hear his music. “They believed in what I was trying to do,” Martinez said. He sold $5,000 in t-shirts.

“I’m looking at this more from the standpoint of a businessman, where music is my product,” Martinez said. He explained that “good old-fashioned networking” has proved an essential part of establishing his band as a business. He uses other Chamber of Commerce businesses as models, applying universal business principles to his unique industry.

A series of performances around Salem will culminate in a concert at the Grand Theater on November 8th–Martinez’s 40th birthday. “It’s very symbolic for me,” Martinez said, explaining how he feared looking back on his life at age 40, talking about what could have been. “That’s not going to be the case.” Instead, his childhood dream has come true, bringing hope to an audience desperately in need.