MARTHINUS Releases Heartfelt Debut ‘i miss us not trying’

PRETORIA: South African independent singer-songwriter MARTHINUS, the musical project of Marthinus Nel, has officially released his debut single, “i miss us not trying”. Blending the nostalgic energy of indie rock and pop-punk with honest, vulnerable songwriting, the song explores the challenges of long-distance relationships and the feeling of missing someone who used to be right beside you.

With driving guitars, catchy melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, “i miss us not trying” captures a familiar contradiction: loving someone enough to make the effort, but wishing being together didn’t have to be so difficult.

The Story Behind ‘i miss us not trying’

At its heart, the song is about long-distance relationships and the unexpected ways distance can change how two people love each other.

When you’re together, so many moments happen naturally. You don’t have to plan a phone call or count down the days until you see each other again. You can spend an entire afternoon doing absolutely nothing, and somehow, that’s enough.

But when distance becomes part of a relationship, even the simplest things can start to require effort.

Conversations have to be scheduled, visits need planning, and ordinary moments together become something to look forward to rather than something you can take for granted.

Distance can make two people try harder to stay connected, even when all they really want is to be together without having to think about it.

That feeling is what inspired “i miss us not trying”.

The song isn’t necessarily about giving up on a relationship or no longer wanting to make an effort. It’s about missing the simplicity of loving someone when they were close enough to share everyday life with.

As the title suggests, sometimes you don’t just miss someone. You miss the version of your relationship where everything felt a little easier.

MARTHINUS describes the idea behind the song:

“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. You miss the little things you never really thought about when you were together.”

The lyrics reflect that mixture of longing, frustration and nostalgia, capturing the small emotional struggles that can come with loving someone from far away.

“and I tell my friends I’m fine with this but I miss the way your hands would fit right into mine without trying. Yea, I miss us not trying.”

It’s a feeling that anyone who has experienced a long-distance relationship, or simply missed someone they love, may recognise.

An Upbeat Sound With a Bittersweet Message

Although “i miss us not trying” explores an emotional subject, it doesn’t sound like a traditional sad love song.

Instead, MARTHINUS combines influences from indie rock, alternative rock and pop-punk, creating an energetic track that contrasts its bittersweet lyrics.

The result is a song that feels nostalgic and emotional without losing its sense of fun.

It’s the kind of music that can have you singing along to a catchy chorus before you fully realise how sad the words actually are.

That contrast is an important part of MARTHINUS’s approach to songwriting. Not every sad story needs a slow melody, and sometimes the most personal feelings can find their place in something loud, energetic and memorable.

Introducing MARTHINUS

For Marthinus Nel, releasing “i miss us not trying” marks an important personal milestone and the beginning of his journey as an independent recording artist.

Performing under his own first name, stylised in all capital letters as MARTHINUS, the South African singer-songwriter is drawn to music that feels sincere, relatable and emotionally honest.

His musical interests span a variety of genres, from acoustic singer-songwriter music to alternative rock, indie and pop-punk.

Rather than limiting himself to one particular sound, MARTHINUS hopes to explore different styles and influences as he continues writing and releasing original music.

At the centre of it all is a love for storytelling and the belief that even ordinary experiences can make meaningful songs.

The debut single was brought to life with music production by High Seas Studios, with Bianca Blanc contributing backing vocals and songwriting support. MARTHINUS has also received artist development and coaching through Studio Cha.

Just the Beginning

For MARTHINUS, “i miss us not trying” is more than his first official release. It’s the first opportunity to share his original songwriting with a wider audience.

As an independent South African artist, he hopes to connect with listeners through songs that explore love, relationships, growing up and the everyday experiences that people don’t always know how to put into words.

And while his future releases may explore different genres and musical directions, the focus remains on writing songs that feel genuine.

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