Under the Scope: Martha Wainwright
Twenty-eight year old Martha Wainwright is the latest member of her family to surface with impressive musical talent. As daughter of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and sister of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright, Martha has proven to be just as charismatic as the rest of her family. She has spent her life performing and even scored a cameo in Martin Scorsese's The Aviator. She also spent time on the road touring with her brother as a backing vocalist and musician. Having appeared on albums for her father, brother, and Kate and Anna McGarrigle, she has now begun a career of her own.
Although Wainwright has released two previous EP's, Factory and Martha Wainwright, 2005 seems to be her breakout year. After emerging early this year with the merely teasing Bloody Motherfucking Asshole EP, she has now released her first album, a self-titled set of thirteen brutally honest tracks, on the independent label Zoe/Rounder Records. As she says of her music, "When I write I feel simultaneously conscious and able but also frightened, like I'm flying without a safety net. It feels like a wild thing…my songs deal with pain and a lot of personal suffering, but I think ultimately my strength comes through in my performance and my voice."
Take note, if this year's EP and subsequent album foretell anything, its that Martha's name will soon be as recognizable as the rest of her family members.
Martha Wainwright is currently touring in support of the record.
Discography:
Martha Wainwright EP
Factory EP, 2002
Bloody Motherfucking Asshole EP, 2005 (Zoe/Rounder)
Martha Wainwright, 2005 (Zoe/Rounder)
marthawainwright.com
IW: reviews: Martha Wainwright: Bloody Motherfucking Asshole EP
- Steph Haselman | 2005-05-02
