PRESS 5

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ALTERNATIVES
by Mike Street
Martha Redbone: A Brave New Soul

martha There's a female artist on the rise who isn’t your ordinary, sleazy, cheesy pop star. She does not have background dancers. She does not employ pyrotechnics during her stage show. In fact, she does not even have a record deal. What she does have is talent, business savvy, and the ability to do whatever she damn well pleases. Her name is Martha Redbone.

Martha Redbone has been in the music making business for almost 2 years. She got her start working with George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars. She was doing some illustration work on George Clinton’s 1996 release T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership), which lead to her recording vocals for the legendary Clinton. It was a learning experience that helped her and musical partner Aaron Whitby craft their 2002 release Home of the Brave. But don't expect to see Martha performing on BET’s 106 & Park. The world may not be ready for what this sister of funk has ushered to the table. With eclectic joints like "Free" and jovial songs like "Vineyard," you will wonder why she remains unsigned.

I’m unsigned, I have my own label, I produce my own record myself, I wrote all the songs with my partner and we’ve been on the road and evidence to me is the numbers of people who are out there wanting to hear music from someone totally unknown. People are so starved to hear real soul music.

Admittedly, Martha is a hands-on kind of woman. She works the sound board when in the studio, she does her own marketing, answers her e-mails from her website, and does her own styling. When AHH Alternatives caught up with Martha she was rocking a loud, funky outfit that accompanied her outspoken nature.

AHHA: What would you classify your music as?
Martha: Well, according to today’s format, I consider it soul music because music labeling has so many formats other people are dictating what our music is. So I think its all a bit of a mess. Media is trying to imply that any music that is black is hip-hop or R&B. R&B isn’t just Aalyiah and Ashanti. R&B to me is still Otis Redding, Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and me. There are guitars and stuff like that to and a lot of times when people hear guitars, the media tries to call it alternative music, alternative to what?

AHHA: So do you find that a big problem when you are trying to put your self out there?
Martha: No, cause I realize that these record labels are drowning in their own mess. They don’t know what is going on, they put all these labels on things and throw it at the wall and they don’t know how to work music anymore. They’re dictating to demographics, they look at charts and numbers and not what people want to hear. I’m on the road, I been on the road for about a year and a half with my album. I’m unsigned, I have my own label, I produce my own record myself, I wrote all the songs with my partner and we’ve been on the road and evidence to me is the numbers of people who are out there wanting to hear music from someone totally unknown. People are so starved to hear real soul music. We play from here to California and when u go there it’s amazing. I had no idea that people would turn up in such large numbers. We are on a lot of college and independent radio stations, we’re on over a hundred of them and that’s just with me being on the phone and sending out packages. I don’t have management, I manage myself, I don’t have marketing, I market myself. No, I'm not playing in Madison Square Garden…yet, but you know I play in Joe’s Pub. All these other people play Joe’s Pub with major record deals, so I’m doing the same gigs that they’re doing. I played in Village Underground in New York; I play festivals.

AHHA: That’s big in the south. A lot of artists will put themselves out first before they even think about a record deal. A lot of people come to New York looking to get a record deal first.
Martha: Yea, sometimes they have to be careful not to get their priorities wrong because you don’t make music for a receipt and if you're doing it because you're thinking in the back of your mind, you want to be on MTV or BET. You know if you want your face on there. There’s plenty of people who, when you turn the TV on, their face is everywhere and you look at there bank account, they don’t have any money. They have the fame and the glory, but at the end of the day, if they’re not up on their business, they have nothing to show for it. I have a lot of friends who have major record deals, and only one person has made it to the stores. That's not cool.

At one point, when I first started I was looking for a major deal, but when I saw how they want to put you in a category, then that person working your project loses their job, and then everyone else wants you to be like last week news. Everyone wants to make his or her music like last week's number 1. I've never been like that. Even when I was a kid, I wasn’t like that. So that wasn’t going to work for me anyway. I write my own material and write for other people too.

AHHA: Where do you want your career to go in the next 5 years?
Martha: The same thing in a bigger house.

AHHA: How do u incorporate your Native American heritage in to your songs?
Martha: Well I’m not waving the big flag. I thought it would be nice to honor both my parents in my music and I talk about my life and stuff. I didn’t do it on purpose. We had a fancy dancer on stage with us. When people listen to music they often forget where it's all coming from and there are really only a few acts who show where the music is coming from, like Earth Wind and Fire always called to Africa and their ancestors and I want to do the same thing.

Inspire me, turn me on or get out of the way.

AHHA: What is in your CD player right now?
Martha: Buddy Guy's "Sweet Tea" album. You got to hear that album if u haven’t already heard it.

AHHA: Will any of that Buddy Guy sound leak on to the next CD?
Martha: Yea, cause I like to believe what I hear. That why a lot of today’s pop music washes over me. I don’t believe any of it. I don’t believe these people. That’s why I love what I hear in the street. We just opened for Donnie and I believe him. I believe what he’s singing. He an amazing guy.I like what he’s singing about- "I’m happy to be nappy." He says something like, "welcome to the colored section- sign your name on the black list". That turns me on. Erykah Badu turns me on. I don’t believe the Ashantis. I don’t believe the Myas, I believe they're beautiful women, but go be a cover girl - get off the charts. Music isn't about physical beauty. You're wasting space and bringing down our music. I believe Beyonce. Mya you’re beautiful and you’re a great dancer but you're not singing about anything we haven’t heard before. Inspire me, turn me on or get out of the way.

Hot Bands - Pick of the week
Martha Redbone - New York, NY
Home of the Brave
By Patrick Ferris

I was sent Martha's Redbone's debut album Home of the Brave, and was delighted from opening track to finish. Simple, in the pocket grooves create the solid dance beat that defines the sound of Martha Redbone. Her lyrics are well thought out, often humorous and are interwoven into perfectly crafted melodies that suit her poetry.

Martha's vocals have every attribute made popular by soul/funk greats like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, and Prince, phrasing and bending her powerful voice with super-human control. Martha's influences couldn't be any closer to the roots of funk; she was mentored by legendary musician, Walter 'Junie' Morrison, who was an original member of the Ohio Players and later, Parliament Funkadelic. Martha also sang backup vocals on the Mothership reunion album with George Clinton.

Home of the Brave is an exceptionally well-produced and not over-produced CD that highlights Martha's songwriting, poetry and incredible use of her vocals. The thirteen listed tracks are all radio-ready, spanning the spectrum of funk, soul and diva-pop, perfect for dance mixes with lyrical content that will quell the harshest critics. After I listened to the CD, I'm glad I didn't eject it right away: After nearly two minutes of silence, there was a final, hidden track. An impromptu, under-produced jam displaying the raw talent of Redbone and her accompanying musicians.

Femail.com
Interview w/ Martha

We speak to hot new music artist Martha Redbone!

1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?
The biggest buzz in the world!
2. Did you have any preconceived ideas about the music industry?
Not really, I always knew it was a tough industry with no guarantees.
3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?
Yes I write my own songs, and my inspiration comes from life.
4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?
I listen to all artists, I like to hear what other people are into and what turns them on.
5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?
All of the above.
6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
Nothing else gives me more pleasure than making music, and singing to people.
7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?
Both have equal benefits for me, they are so different from each other. Can' t really compare.
8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
Parliament Funkadelic
9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?
Maintaining musical integrity in the face of all the cheesy gimmicks that other female artists will do to get famous.
10. What's a typical day like?
Absolutely non-stop! Phone calls, meetings, interviews, sessions, shows...it doesn't stop.
11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?
Performing with the fellaz in my band, they are crazy, I love them.
12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Prince, Sly Stone, Steve Tyler.
13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?
I live for freedom and space. Anyone who understands that can be my partner.
14. Do you have a website fans can visit?
http://www.martharedbone.com
15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?
Health, quiet time, good friends, honesty, and faith.
16. What message would you like to say to your fans?
Follow your heart, believe and live your wildest dreams.

60 Second Quiz
* Full Name: Martha Redbone
* Nickname(s): Red
* Star Sign: Aquarius
* Favorite Food: anything Italian
* Favorite Film: Life is Beautiful
* Favorite Actor: Meryl Streep
* Pet: Dog
* Describe yourself in 3 words: Brave, Strong, Free
* Best Feature: Generosity
* Worst Feature: Generosity
* Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Dalai Lama
* Hobbies/Interests: painting, drawing, reading
* First Job: Illustrator for Children's clothing
* Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: sometimes, I don' t drink
* What Can You Never Leave Home Without: my toothbrush!
* What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: Where' s my Tea?

The Soul Review
by John Ponomarenko

Martha Redbone is not a name that many in Europe will be familiar with, but through the technology that is the Internet I had come across it on several occasions previously. I was delighted therefore when this CD landed on my doormat giving me the opportunity to discover what this rising star is all about. Its front cover is quite simply a lovely photograph of a very lovely girl. Clearly she is black but with something oriental about her features. She is wearing a simple white woollen hat and bearing the most delightful smile. She immediately struck me as exotic and virginal, but she is blessed with more than just good looks. Every song on the album she has written herself, in collusion with her co-composer A. Whitby.

Quality singers don’t need such devices and Martha’s appeal is that she doesn’t waste any time with any of them.

There are two things about modern soul that drive traditionalists like me to distraction. The first is the contemporary practise of “oversouling,” artists who over-screech and over-wail or excessively use melisma as a substitute for genuine feeling. There is not even a hint of this practise in Martha’s laid-back approach. Quality singers don’t need such devices and Martha’s appeal is that she doesn’t waste any time with any of them. The second is the use of programmed music to replace true musicians. On this album Martha employs four guitarists, a drummer, a bass player, trumpeter, a keyboards player and a strings player. There is evidence of programming, but it is all tastefully done and blends with the real musicians very well. My only complaint is that she doesn’t employ a saxophone, surely the most soulful sounding of instruments.

Contemporary black artists like to experiment with blending different genres of music, so it is very rare to hear a pure sound with any singer these days, and so it is with Martha, but there is certainly enough soul and R&B influence to justify an inclusion in these pages. The theme of the album is mainly concerned with the relationships between men and women, but she spices this old chestnut up nicely by focusing on how outside influences can interfere with, or even destroy them. The exceptions to this norm are ‘Vineyard’, ‘Underdog’ and ‘Free’ which deal with human reactions to the hardships of life.

Sometimes the songs are funky, sometimes they are bluesy. ‘Liar’ and ‘Superman’ have a 50’s R&B feel to them. ‘Say U Love Me’ reminds me of late Philly when R&B was on the cusp between soul and disco whilst 'Sarsaparilla' has a definite Latin feel to it. Martha’s beautiful clear voice is at home with them all. I cannot believe that she is not destined to become a major artist in contemporary R&B and the sooner her exposure to the world is increased, the better.

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