He was the dreadlocked music lover who brought us Watford Live, but Martin Lee Renshaw thought his own dream of being a full-time musician was dead and gone.

A vital part of the creative community for years, Martin took a step and began training as a teacher after his band Phoenixdown petered out in 2011.

But when his life took a dramatic turn it inspired him to write 15-track solo album From the Ashes and he has now been overwhelmed by the public’s support to help it take flight.

He says: “I had a few life incidences which I suppose I’d best not talk about but they inspired me to write a load of songs over the course of two years, that have become this album.“

Martin, who teaches social development to young adults with learning difficulties, self-funded the recording of the album which took place at Broadfield Studios in Watford.

He worked with photographer Stewart Marsden on the artwork and then handed the project over to the performance, music and media department at the college for them to use as criteria for their video installation projects.

The results will be on display at a special public showcase to launch the album at West Herts College on October 30.

The final piece of the puzzle was to get the album, which Martin says tackles themes of “recklessness and consequence“ and “being born again“, professionally pressed in time for the launch and the King George’s Avenue resident set up a Kickstarter campaign, which was backed by 100 people, raising £1,570.

Supporters will be able collect their copies of the album at the live showcase, which is also open to the general public, and will see Martin perform with a one-off ensemble made up of contributors and will be filmed and edited by Cannes Festival winners FAT CHIEF media and made into documentary From The Ashes – Live.

So does Martin hopes this will reignite his music dream?

The 36-year-old says: “To be honest with you, pie in the sky, yes, I’m going to be pushing it and pushing it and pushing it in whatever direction I can. If it were to be taken on by a big label or something, what I would like to do is invest the money in a business for adults with learning disabilities, I’d like to approach it a bit differently than just trying to be a famous musician.“

  • West Herts College, Hempstead Road, Watford, October 30, 7pm. Details: facebook.com/martinleerenshaw www.martinleerenshaw.com