He is best known for his distinctive vocals and guitar playing style in the band Built to Spill.

Martsch's first band was Farm Days, with Andy Capps and Brett Nelson in the early 1980s.

His influences include J Mascis, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Caustic Resin, Mississippi Fred McDowell, David Bowie, and Neil Young.

[2] In 1994, Martsch formed The Halo Benders with Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and released three albums.

In 2011, he contributed to a tribute album to The Smiths entitled Please, please, please... with a cover of "Reel Around The Fountain".