Ahoy! 

Hello friends and shipmates, my name is Martin Lederle-Ensign. I play banjo and guitar, I write songs, and I read a lot. Since I was kid, I've been enthralled by sea stories and all manner of nautical nonsense. When I was 16, I picked up Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian, and I was hooked.

The adventures of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are books about tall ships and high seas, adventure and derring-do, bad puns and good wine. But more than that, they're stories about music and friendship.

Abaft the Beam is a tribute to those stories. 

You don't need to be a fan of Patrick O'Brian to enjoy this album. You don't even need to have seen the movie. These are songs about love, danger, friendship, and saying goodbye. 

Risks & Challenges

Making a record is expensive, time-consuming, and full of unforeseen hurdles. The final number of tracks depends on the amount of funding we receive. It is entirely possible that we end up recording a really great 5-song EP, rather than a full length, 10-track voyage. Either way, I'm confident that you'll enjoy the final product. 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you aren't able to contribute money, I understand! But, if you can take a moment to share this project with your friends and post it on social media, I'd be eternally grateful.