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| Location: | Canada, Quebec, Montreal |
| Description: | Martha Wainwright is a musical artist of keen insight and originality. Born in 1976, the daughter of Kate McGarrigle, of the renowned folk duo Kate & Anna McGarrigle, and singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. Growing up in a family where music was the central focus, she sang on stage and in the studio from an early age. She began writing songs and performing in clubs while a drama student in her native Montreal.
Martha Wainwright meshes her acute familiarity with folk/rock tradition with a youthful sense of adventure. Singing dramatic ballads, flushed with character, her material is wise, vulnerable and revealing. She brings a solid musical strength to her songs with a voice that can break your heart.
Until this year she has played a mostly supporting role in her musical family, as the featured backing vocalist for her brother Rufus Wainwright's widely acclaimed debut recording for Dreamworks, and on many of the tours supporting it.
Now based in New York City, Martha is playing regularly with her own band. She has gathered an ardent and growing following in the city's clubs, and has been warmly embraced by the downtown pop music world. She is currently recording a collection of original songs for her first album. Her combo includes longtime musical ally Tom Mennier on piano, and her cousin Lily Lanken (daughter of Anna) on harmony vocal.
This past year also marks her entry into the world as a recording artist in the following releases: She sings her own song "Year of the Dragon" as well as a stunning interpretation of Cole Porter's classic "Allez-vous-en", on the Hannibal/Ryko album, "The McGarrigle Hour", the Kate & Anna McGarrigle album which gathers family and friends for a generous, spirited & elegant collaboration. And, her song "Baby Love", sung by Martha, appears on singer-songwriter Dan Bern's most recent release; "Smartie Mine".
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