Martin Cooper is a British painter, keyboardist, saxophonist, and songwriter known for his long association with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. He co-wrote the hit single “Souvenir,” helped form The Listening Pool, and has exhibited oil still-life paintings in Britain and abroad.
Background
Martin Cooper was born in Liverpool, England, in 1958. His early artistic development took place in Merseyside, where he studied at the Laird School of Art in Birkenhead before continuing his training in fine art in Sheffield.
His career has combined two forms of creative work. Music brought international touring and chart success through Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, while painting remained a sustained practice, particularly through still-life works executed in oils.
Education
Cooper studied at the Laird School of Art in Birkenhead and then spent three years at Sheffield College of Art, where he obtained a first-class honours degree in Fine Arts in 1980. The Laird School of Art formed part of the postwar art-education environment of Merseyside, while Sheffield College of Art belonged to a British college tradition that combined studio training with preparation for professional artistic work.
His formal art education preceded his entry into OMD and provided the foundation for a career that moved between music, visual art, and design. The later use of one of his still-life paintings on The Listening Pool's album Still Life reflected the continuing relationship between his musical and artistic practices.
Career
Cooper joined Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark in 1980 as a keyboardist and saxophonist. OMD emerged from the late-1970s Liverpool and Merseyside music scene and became one of the prominent British electronic and new-wave groups of the early 1980s. Cooper contributed keyboards, saxophone, and songwriting to the band's recordings and performances, touring in Europe, the United States, and the Far East.
With Paul Humphreys, he co-wrote “Souvenir,” which reached number three on the United Kingdom singles chart and also achieved number-one positions in France, Spain, and Portugal. He also contributed to other OMD songs, including “Talking Loud and Clear” and “If You Leave.” Before becoming a full member of OMD, he had played saxophone at some of the group's concerts and had supplied prerecorded work. He was also associated with Dalek I Love You and briefly worked with Dave Hughes on the project Godot in 1981.
Cooper left OMD in 1989 with Humphreys and drummer Malcolm Holmes. The three musicians formed The Listening Pool and established Telegraph Records, an independent label through which the group released its album Still Life. Cooper contributed to the group's songs and created the still-life image used for the album cover. Cooper and Hughes also worked on film music, including the score for C.H.U.D.
After The Listening Pool ended in the 1990s, Cooper devoted substantial time to painting. His work has centered largely on observed still-life compositions, often in oils, and has been exhibited in Britain and overseas, including at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. OMD reformed with its classic lineup in 2007, after which Cooper resumed extensive touring and recording with the group.
Achievements
Co-wrote “Souvenir” with Paul Humphreys for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark; the single reached number three on the United Kingdom singles chart and became an international chart success.
Helped establish The Listening Pool with Paul Humphreys and Malcolm Holmes after leaving OMD, and contributed songwriting and performance to the group's album Still Life.
Developed a parallel career as a painter whose oil still-life works were exhibited in Britain and overseas, including at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
(Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark single co-written by Co...)
1981
Interests
Painting, particularly oil still-life painting.
Music & Bands
Cooper's musical work is associated with electronic pop, synth-pop, new wave, and saxophone- and keyboard-based ensemble performance.
Connections
Cooper is married to Alexandra Bibby, a classical musician. They have two sons.
Wife:
Alexandra Bibby
Classical musician; she and Cooper have two sons.
References
Martin Cooper: Biography
Cooper's official biography covering his education, OMD career, The Listening Pool, painting exhibitions, award, and family.
Martin Cooper — AllMusic
Reference entry documenting Cooper's work as a keyboardist, saxophonist, composer, and member of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.
The Listening Pool
Music Technology interview describing Cooper's work with The Listening Pool, songwriting, recording methods, and Telegraph Records.
