South African Artist MARTHINUS Releases Debut Single

PRETORIA: South African independent singer-songwriter MARTHINUS (Marthinus Nel) has released his debut single, “i miss us not trying”, an indie rock and pop-punk inspired song about love, distance and missing the simpler moments in a relationship.

The song was inspired by the challenges of long-distance relationships, particularly how distance can make even the smallest things require more effort. Phone calls have to be planned, visits become something to count down to, and everyday moments together are no longer taken for granted.

“It’s not that you don’t want to put in the effort. You do, because you care about the person. But sometimes you just miss being able to see them whenever you want, without having to plan everything,” explains MARTHINUS.

Despite its emotional message, “i miss us not trying” has an upbeat, energetic sound, combining catchy melodies and driving guitars with honest, bittersweet lyrics.

The single marks the beginning of MARTHINUS’s journey as an independent recording artist. Drawing inspiration from indie rock, pop-punk and acoustic singer-songwriter music, he hopes to explore different musical styles while keeping his songwriting personal and relatable.

The track was produced by High Seas Studios, with Bianca Blanc contributing backing vocals and songwriting support.

“i miss us not trying” was officially released on 6 November 2026 and is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and other major streaming platforms.