chat

 
 
    from 16. Oct. 2003    
    _
Martina paid a visit to the official message board to answer questions from fans. Here's the edited version of this chat (Thanks a lot to Gary!):

Crazy Fan: Which artists do you most admire at the moment? 

Martina: At the mo' I'm listening to old people like Sly and the Family Stone. Current artists..........   I like some Sean Paul songs, first Beyonce single, All round artists it's hard to say. Maybe I'll come back to this  one. 

Crazy Fan: What was the last CD that you bought? 
Crazy Fan: If you could go to a concert tonight, who would you most like to see play live?

Martina: My favourite live bands were Kyuss, Fishbone, PJ Harvey, Pharcyde. Now I've been told to see Howie  Gelb (is that spelt right?) Apparently a bit hit and miss, but also a bit genius. 

I saw U2 at Astoria a couple of years ago and that was really quite amazing. Bono is a bit good. Always surprising  to be impressed by someone whose reputation is already sealed. 'Spose they're known for their records rather  than stripped down performance ability. 

Crazy Fan: Who, musically, have been your main influences? 

Martina: Main influences, probably my sister Chrissy. She was really creative, made her own clothes and was a  properly involved London teenager, clubs and such. Opened up music for me when she moved to NY. Got into  bands none else was listening to. Then I had friends, even teachers who opened things up for me again. I grew up  with Soul and RnB in the house, then indie and alternative at school. 

Everybody knows the great artists, Billy Holliday, Nina Simone................ I don't know there are so  many.Especially singers. But all round artists? Tom Waits, Prince, Kate Bush. Then there are the producers.  Tooooooooooooo many

Crazy Fan: I have been responsible for at least 15 of your album sales by introducing my friends and workmates  to your music. All of us agree that if people were given a chance to listen to your music they would love it but  nobody gets a chance as you are seldom played on the radio. Does it frustrate you that the likes of Rachel  Stevens, S Club 8 and Justin Timberlake get oceans of airplay and you don't? 

Martina: Radio. Well, my label were quite sure about what singles they wanted in the hopes they'd get radio play, there's one guy at radio one who decides on playlists so take it up with him. 

I'm happier for this music to reach people by word of mouth. Mre real, more personal.

Crazy Fan: You were very shy at King Tuts in July (but absolutley outstanding). However you really seem to have come out of your shell on recent radio interviews (and were great on the Buzzcocks!). Do you feel more at ease stepping out into the Limelight? 

Crazy Fan: You worked a lot with your brother on the album? Do you have the same musical tastes and who had  the bigger influence on the sound of the album? You or him? 

Martina: Nick and I like some of the same music, Bowie, some Beatles but our tastes diverge when it comes to  more groove based or avant music. His influence is in the traditional songs like Anything , Still Feel, Skyscaper. It's cute cos he couldn't get his head round Sandpaper or Musicbox but loved 'em anyway!

Crazy Fan: What do you hope to achieve in the next year? (eg. another album, world tour etc)

Crazy Fan: I'm sorry about this question but my girlfriend made me ask it.....Where did you get your shoes that  you were wearing in Glasgow from (the strappy number with the flowers on the side?) Tut...girls what are they like?

Martina: Shoes: Kurt Geiger.

Crazy Fan: I tried to keep my questions professional and not act like a typical stalker fan and I am very ashamed  to ask this but here goes I saw you in Glasgow and am travelling down to Manchester on the 14th Nov from  Newcastle. I can't wait and it will be well worth the trip. Would it be possible for you to say "Hi Gary" or sign my CD? I'm blushing now and can't believe that I have asked that question!!

Martina: No reply. Probably very scared and ordering extra security guards.

Crazy Fan: Will she tour the rest of europe soon?

Martina:(apparently having a nervous breakdown) : Lance here, Martina is touring France the second week of  Nov. No extra club dates confirmed as yet, also playing Brussels and Amsterdam and 3 English dates: Bristol, Manchester, London......   I think. I play guitar in Martina's band by the way.

There's no dael for distribution in US yet so we're not being booked for shows there yet. We may do a radio tour, just me Martina and Ben (Son of Dave). 

Martina:(…back to Martina) Lance answered Kitty's q bout touring pretty much. We can only go where we're  booked. We would probably be freer to tour a more stripped down set up. I want to tour, just waiting

Crazy Fan: Is she annoyed by being asked about tricky all the time?

Martina: T q's. Weeeell, they're inevitable up front aren't they? Don't worry, if they're too fresh I don't really respond.

Crazy Fan: Hey Martina do you like the new album of Jane's Addiction?

Martina: Haven't listened to the whole Jane's album yet. Definitely going to see them next time they're here. I liked the single

Crazy Fan: Martina, bizarre quick question from a mental Tricky & MARTINA fan BUT I have ALWAYS wondered  what the hell is "Abbaon Fat Tracks" meant to mean?!?!?!

Doubting Ex (aka Doofus!!!): is she gonna know that... lets see...

Martina: 'Course I know wot Abbaon means, doofus. It's cos we sound like Abba on a Fat track!!!!!!!! 

Crazy Fan: I have a question, do u think u r likely to release another album again in the near future (eg next 2  years) or will u leave us gasping for more again (eg next 5 years!)?

Martina: Workin' on new songs. Got lot's of options and a few collaborators I'm excited about. Had loads of songs  left over from last album too. Buuuuuuut, since we're not even started promoting in US the label may not be keen  to release as soon as I am, i.e. before 2005. 

Crazy Fan: I've got a semi-normal question why is Ilya called Ilya..? And why is that new version of it sooo goood  girrrlllllllll

Martina: Ilya , I heard the name the week I did the vocal on the track. Energy, but not about him.

Crazy Fan: Have you explored African music, like hi-life, juju music etc?.so many gems in there..

Martina: I love Oumou Sangare from Mali. Nice and raw and polyrhythmic (ha public school).

Crazy Fan: My mum was into High Life...

Martina: Don't know High Life. Must checkitout.

 Crazy Fan: (Winner of the most bizarre and fantastic question ever asked. She’s never going to answer that one….) do you play any mindsport like chess/checkers/draughts when you have time? just curious

Martina: (Swoon. she did answer it!!): Mind games? I was obsessed by a US PS game called Intelligent Cube  which had some guy stuck on a cube who had to jump on green squares to live. Play chess sometimes, only lose against machines. Then there's scrabble, solitaire, all the games you have to play at home with the oldies.

And penultimately, Don't Hate Foolz!! Beyonceland is where it's at!!!! 

I'm joking, I just want to have fun. Sometimes I thought this album was too accessible, so, with lack of radioplay it's nice to feel a little under-doggy(don't get excited, Ex)

Crazy Fan: Martina, any reggae influences?

Martina: Reggae influences:  Toots. toot sweets!  Of course I am Jamaican by umbilical proxy.  xx 

Crazy Fan: 'I love your intro on the CD although too short .Is this in keeping with tradition? Because I do wish it  was longer and would love to hear more. Also I would love to hear you sing some classics by the likes of Brel,  Brecht, Piazzola,Weil. Any chaces of this (at least at a live gig - Manchester Uni, Kisses Rick'

Martina: Will and Rick Intro happened by accident. I love it. There is potential with Ben (SOD) and Lance to do more of this old sound,  love to. All new songs sounding v.old. 

Crazy Fan: Ms Topley Bird, r u gonna get Mazy to sing on ur next record a la Eminem and Hailie..?

Martina: Y'know, I have to go pick up Mazy, creative as she is, I hesitate with the whole exploiting her  enthusiasm at her age.

Crazy Fan: It's a great band you have, how did you all get together?

Martina: Band, got together thru, me: my ladies: Cath, Pet, Dee, Jo, Claire. Ben (SOD) played on Too Tough, met thru Alex MacG. Lance met when he sold me overpriced Wurlitzer. Rob Ellis, MD, found Laurence, bass (Jo), Will and Vincent Graff Schlippenbach(deacks). All lovely lovelies. Vincent will hopefully make appearances on future records. 
 

   
 

 


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