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Martha Wainwright comes to The Apex...

With an undeniable voice and an arsenal of powerful songs, Martha Wainwright is a beguiling performer and a refreshingly different force in music.

Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and the sister of Rufus Wainwright, she has frequently appeared on recordings by her family members, the McGarrigle Sisters. Martha is also half-sister to Lucy Wainwright Roche and they recently made a record together, ‘Songs In The Dark’, to much critical acclaim and a JUNO nomination.

Wainwright released an independent cassette, ‘Ground Floor’, in 1997. The following year, her song ‘Year of the Dragon’ appeared on ‘The McGarrigle Hour’, an album released by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Shortly after this recording, Martha began singing backup vocals for her brother and began building a buzz with her well-noted Eps.

Her full length self-titled first album, released in 2005, was critically and commercially successful. In 2008, Martha followed with her sophomore album, ‘I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too’, which showed her great musical maturity and talent as a songwriter. In 2010 she toured the world promoting her third album, ‘San Fusils, Ni Souliers A Paris: Martha Wainwright’s Piaf Album’. This homage to the great Edith Piaf was received with glowing reviews, leaving audiences stunned by Martha’s incredible range and talent. Her last album, ‘Come Home To Mama’, produced by Cibo Matto’s Yuka Honda, was heralded by Mojo Magazine as a ‘substantial and brilliantly sung career best.’

Her new release, ‘Goodnight City’ returns to the rawness of her first release and includes songs by Martha, as well as songs written to highlight her incredible voice. These songs are written by her friends and other great songwriters such as Beth Orton, Glen Hansard, her brother Rufus Wainwright, Michael Ondaatje, and Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs.

Currently Martha is finishing up a book entitled “Stories I Might Regret Telling You” which, like her songs, is a window into her life without artifice, pretension or fakery.

Martha Wainwright performs at The Apex on Tuesday 24 January at 7.30pm. Tickets are £24.50, ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see the website - www.theapex.co.uk for details.