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Marla Mase

Rank #59 New York, NY Alternative / Alternative Rock (Theatrical...

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About

Members: Marla Mase-Lead Vocal,Tomas Doncker-Guitars/Vocals Josh David-Bass, Alan Grubner-violin,Heather Powell-vocals,Tobias Ralph-Drums,Nick Rolfe-Keys/vocals

Sounds Like: Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, Ian Dury (and the Blockheads), henry rollins

Label: True Groove, GoGirls Elite/GoGirlsMusic.com, IndieGuild

Manager: Tomás Doncker

Bio: Accolades:
- Mase's multi-media performance concert SPEAK booked by NYC Summerstage 2013; June 15 & August 17
- European Tour April 2013
- China Tour September 2012
- Awarded 'Messenger of Peace' Title by Friends of the UN for visionary work as performer/songwriter.
- Piece of Peace Video: over 1... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

: Marla Mase : Speak Deluxe http://t.co/a7wMTiWsPB via @instantfilter

Press

“The CD "Speak Deluxe" found Marla touring both China and Europe, being honored by Friends of the UN, and receiving top reviews from publications such as The Huffington Post, who said "her feisty message of peace will perhaps wake up the beast in all of us".”

— gratefulweb.com

“No nonsense straight from the start of “Speak Deluxe” we’re introduced to AnnaRexia, a heavy look at anorexia with not too subtle reggae backing tones, which bring the listener into her words. Songs like “Dance the Tango”, and “Squirm” bring out a little shoegaze punk, while elsewhere throughout the disc you are able to pick up the influential rock goddesses of Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, and The Cranberries.”

— Scott Alexander, abortmag.com

“New York rock/punk/crossover artist Marla Mase has confirmed that she and guitarist Tomas Doncker will be bringing her “Speak” show to Summerstage 2013, joining a lineup that includes The Zombies, Django Django, Dead Prez, Lianne la Havas and Rakim.”

— BuzzFeed.com

“Marla Mase's self-portrait on the front cover of her new album Speak Deluxe actually does speak volumes about what she sings. The animalized photograph of her face verifies that Marla is peeved-off about something, or maybe everything. She doesn't want mankind to cry craven, but to look at hunger in the eye and feed it. The intrepid and raw realities of her lyrics echo the need to break away and address the world with a "ROAR!" ”

— Marcel Hidalgo, HuffingtonPost.com

“The most awesome thing about music are the lyrics. The words that songs speak can change our lives, even being so simple. Performer, singer and songwriter Marla Mase writes music with the intention to change the way we think, and the way we view ourselves and others. Her new album Speak Deluxe is more than just six new tracks to follow up with her first album, Speak. It’s a movement.”

— Whitney Morgan, Why Blue Matters

“Marla Mase, the New York City native that’s been called the “Female Jim Morrison” may find her style is often compared to other musicians, but when it comes to her music, there’s a description that’s all her own. “Mase, very Mase."”

— Richie Frieman, PensEyeView.com

“Empathy, originality, and intellectualism are the hallmarks of Marla Mase’s utterly enchanting lyrical style. Known for her extremely raw and powerful live performances, something about the singer-songwriter and businesswoman from New York City exudes pure vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll sexuality and commands the attention of audiences. But her style has a modern approach as well, seeming to blend the raucous, blistering sounds of the music industry forty years ago with the progressive, streetwise spoken-word-style bellowing of modern-day New York.....Mase is a truly inspiring feminist voice for her generation, and “Speak Deluxe” offers a richly emotional experience with equal positivity and darkness. She is fantastic at honestly exploring and expressing the reality of our human condition, particularly for women in today’s changing world.”

— Carly Bush, LimeranceMag.com

“MARLA MASE is, by far, not your typical musical artist. While the music charts are populated with songs (mainly) about so-called romance, sex and material things, the singer/songwriter/producer wants her music to have MEANING – and she definitely achieved that by tackling the more serious issues of today –issues we should really sit up and take notice of more often.”

— Tracey Dawkins, nbhap.com

“Marla goes against the grain of industry standards and flows freely in what she believes. If you enjoy tunes from Patti Smith or Iggy Pop, you will definitely enjoy the sounds of Marla Mase.”

— Mallila Ahma, iheardin.com

“If you are in Europe next week take advantage of the situation and catch True Groove Global Soul Recording Artist Marla Mase on tour. Every time we check in on True Groove Record Label they are doing something else, whether it is Doncker opening for Ethiopian pop stars or trips to China or Mase's extended version of her album Speak or anthem single "Piece Of Peace", they are relentless in their pursuit of musical excellence”

— Iman LaBabedi, RockNYCLiveAndRecorded.com

“So what is Speak? It’s rather hard to explain but to put it as simply as possible, it’s the music work of activist Marla Mase, resembling the early work of Bob Dylan and Jefferson Airplane.....“Open Up My Heart” is probably my favorite track on the album as the haunting instruments combined with the dark lyrics create that particular atmosphere that send goose bumps running down my spine.”

— Trystan MacDonald, LithiumMagazine.com

“Backed by the Tomás Doncker Band, the record kicks off with the jungle sounds of “Scream (reprise)” and never dares to look back. Mase crafts each song as if it were an album itself, taking meticulous care in every aspect of the song. From the tangible sounds of the instruments to the abstract notions of ambiance, every song on Speak (Deluxe) is a story in and of itself.”

— Rishbhabhagi, RockAndRollReport.com

“Under the hood of Speak (Deluxe), we have what is deemed Marla Mase’s underground hit AnnaRexia, which is a reggae/dub crossover song dealing with the illness anorexia.”

— ClownMagazine.Co.Uk, ClownMagazine.Co.uk

“Marla Mase’s style of mixing poetry with music & sounds is what sets her apart from others in music industry. She sets the mood with a beat, and gives us a vivid image of the scene by painting a picture with her words.”

— HumanFanKind.com, HumanFanKind.com

“Under the Gun Review is thrilled to bring you this exclusive interview with New York City’s multi-talented Marla Mase! Marla is endlessly busy in her impressive flood of creative enterprises but she managed to take the time to speak with us candidly and in detail about her extensive medium-melding career, her newest album, and even a little about sex. So read through and get familiar with a genuine artist and human being, Marla Mase.”

— Brian Lion, Under the Gun Review

“In the spirit of legends such as Patti Smith, David Byrne, Frank Zappa, and Iggy Pop, Marla’s music is epic. ”

— Joshua Smotherman, midtnmusic.com

“Marla Mase is sitting on quite the powder keg with her new album “SPEAK Deluxe”, an offering brimming with passion, anger, pain, wisdom, and compassion. What was the last album you heard that you could honestly say that about? Embracing everything from rock and roll, punk and reggae to spoken word, electronic, and downtempo music, Marla Mase will appeal to fans of Patti Smith, Henry Rollins, Iggy Pop, PJ Harvey and Ian Dury. .......Marla Mase’s music and message is poised to spread in an industry starved for meaning.”

— MusicPerk Team, musicperk.com

“Marla Mase is a wanted woman. This multi-hyphenate force has spread her message and music worldwide..... To experience Marla Mase is to experience the human condition – raw, real, and reactant.”

— Triston, celebrityviplounge.com

“....favourite tracks on Speak are Queen of Imperfection, She Hooked Him Up, Divine Restlessness and Dance the Tango. Usually it’s easy to distinguish your favourite tracks on an album but this time round it was hard. Most of the tracks are outstanding due to the way they open your mind and make you think about the world and how we all live in it together.”

— rockingrepublic.wordpress.com

“Marla Mase Takes The World By Storm”

— Trisha Pillay, Evolutionarymagazine.co.za

“... one of the most eclectic and exciting albums this reviewer has yet heard in 2013!”

— Eric Garneau, nerdynothings.com

"This record ROCKS!"

— Joe Wolfe-Mazeres, ear2theground-music.blogspot.com

“Ably backed by veteran New York funkster Tomas Doncker , who admirably fuses his signature brand of "afro beat and soul" with Mase's half spoken word, half melodic vocalizing approach, Speak is at it's best asa fearless, soul baring proclamation by a daring artist who makes no excuses for her approach and takes no prisoners on her exit.....The record reaches it's pinnacle on the punk infused "Squirm" in which Mase proclaims her desire to "shut the shit down" and "squirm like a worm" in the underground. Spoken like a true New York City poet - defiantly independent and unwilling to give a shit what anyone else thinks. Highly recommended if you have the heart.”

— Jack, 8th-circuit.com

“Rock music seems to be full of people trying so hard to look the part and sound the part that the core is completely missing. In many ways, rock and indie have taken on many of the mainstream aspects of popular r&b, pop, and hip hop, with few artists who truly stand on their own. Enter the strange and lovely Marla Mase, a woman whose closest companions may just be Patti Smith and Henry Rollins. She’s about to release her new full-length “SPEAK Deluxe”, and it’s chalk full of sexuality, death, activism, women’s rights, spoken word poetry, and more than a little fun, in case that all sounds a bit too ominous for your week-night easy listening appointment. Sure, Mase is a genre-hopper. On “Speak Deluxe”, the listener will very clearly hear rock, funk, prog rock, electronic, reggae, spoken word, and pop elements, but make no mistake. Marla Mase is punk rock.”

— RockLives, Followthesignal.com

“What do you get when you combine the cadence of Patti Smith, the rhythms of beat poet Anne Waldman, and the vocal freedom of Yoko Ono? Marla Mase’s SPEAK fuses the lyrical intensity of these three women backed by the arrangements of the Tomás Doncker Band. Mase is bent on exploring the use of verse set against music ala “Riders on the Storm.” Each track on SPEAK sets itself apart from the next, ranging from a reggae-inspired anti-anorexia anthem (“AnnaRexia”) to a post-modern inception of self via space, time, and the internet (“Blog”). SPEAK Deluxe, out 2/28/13, features a versatile composition of percussion, vocals, guitars, and dance hall beats.”

— Angela Page, loveyourrebellion.com

“There are artists who open up to you and there are artists who are there to open you up to everything around you. And then there are artists who have that innate ability to do both. Marla Mase happens to do both with precision. A singer, songwriter and playwright out of New York City, Marla’s music is a crystal bridge that links today to the days when Patti Smith and Chrissy Hynde prowled on stage. With Speak Deluxe, the re-issue of her album originally released in 2010, Marla herself exudes a feathered ferocity throughout the album, beginning with ‘Scream(Reprise)’, a hard-charging tune that captures the anguish and bewilderment of a battered woman wailing against the indifference of the world. ‘Dance The Tango’ gives an otherwise somber story about someone who passed away who had a love of dance a resurrection with light pouring out of each note. Each song on ‘Speak Deluxe’ is a whirlwind of harmony and reflection brought forth brilliantly by Marla & the Tomas Doncker ”

— Manifestogmag.net

“It’s hard to find a musical artist who embodies the essence of that latter word. Many will sacrifice exploration and honesty for chart-topping singles. Marla Mase does not sit among the superficial.....Whether singing or speaking, rhyming or fiddling with free verse, Marla’s voice will grip you tight. She dances on the balance beam between music and poetry. Not once does she falter/”

— Caitlin Hoffman, BiggerthanBeyonce.com

“There are plenty...[pf] positive, celebratory moments on Speak Deluxe. ‘She Hooked Him Up’ is a happy, funky tale of love and lust. ‘Queen of Imperfection’ rejects media ideals of womanhood in favour of accepting yourself, flaws and all. ’Smithereens’ is charmingly romantic, a cooling stream of gentle beats and flowing acoustic guitar. Throughout Speak Deluxe Mase is wonderfully well served by Tomás Doncker, who writes the music and leads the band that supplies a spectacular variety of tunes, tones and textures to complement the rich verbal content. Marla Mase speaks and sings wise words with passion and precision, and demands to be heard.”

— Dave Jennings, thegirlsare.com

“Vale la pena sumergirse en la interesante propuesta musical de Marla Mase, que transmite una urgencia por revalorar la comunicación humana en su estado más puro a través de tracks destacados como “Scream(reprise)”, “Lioness” y “AnnaRexia”.”

— Pablo Escobar, http://resonanciamagazine.com

““Speak Deluxe” is the work of a complicated artist, but one who is very human and easy to relate to. Listening to Marla Mase somehow makes me slightly disappointed in other artists currently producing new material, not so much for the musical chops, but the lyrical responsibility and potential. She’s a wordsmith and a communicator, and this is where she excels. “Speak Deluxe” is not for mainstream music listeners. It’s for serious music listeners.”

— RockLives, The Signal

“Marla Mase’s album release is yet another triumph for woman in music. It is angry, sad, beautiful and poetic. She proves, that there exists a rare breed of female artists who don’t have to have the image of a supermodel or sing unlimited keys of vibrato to gain listeners’ attention”

— Rick Jamm, Jamsphere.com

“Overall, there are very few albums on the market that will compare to SPEAK DELUXE; offering a break from what has become a comfort zone for many. Anything but commercial, Marla Mase is surely an artist we will see more of in the years to come, and I doubt that we'll be disappointed by what she releases. I'd absolutely recommend that music fans give Marla's new release a listen with an open mind. You'll be glad you did. ”

— Shaine Freeman, IAE - I AM ENTERTAINMENT

“I suppose what makes Speak experimental is the vocal style of the head lady more than anything. Many of her songs portray the native New Yorker as a philanthropic campaigner for many causes but predominantly the imperfections of humanity. The message is clear in songs like Queen of Imperfection and AnnaRexia which discuss exactly what they say on the tin. And Marla does it in her own unique way...”

— Daniel Davidson-Amadi, Music-news.com

“Marla Mase is a complicated artist; one with the ability to go from the war cry-like call for peace of "Piece of Peace," to something much more seemingly mundane, such as the common act of purchasing a new phone on "New Cell Phone." Her sound can be rock & roll one moment, and spoken word put to music the next. Whatever guise Mase's art takes, though, it's never less than compelling. ”

— Dan Macintosh, antiMusic.com

“ Marla Mase Marla Mase is an interesting funk/punk/experimental artists whose music often defies words. It is at once complex and easily digestible, heavy and light, dark and beautiful. I love the layers created by the music. The dichotomy between normal singing and spoken Lou Reed type parts is very well done, it helps to give the music an interesting layer where normally there should be none.”

— Matt Baggins, Two Guys Metal Reviews

“It's been a while. But I'm really happy to be able to say "and now for something completely different" and mean it. [Marla Mase] is one totally talented young lady, prepare to be blown away. ”

— Barrie Moore, Bearly Rambling

“Marla is well known in New York for her songs, play-writing, short stories, erotica and poems. In her performance art she does not cater to refined tastes, instead she is known as an explosive, no-holds-barred firebrand who is not afraid to shock. Marla recently returned from her first tour in China where she was invited by the Friends of the UN to perform for UN Global Peace Day in Linzhou City. Marla was given an honorary “Messenger of Peace” award for her work as a songwriter and performing artist.”

— Jordan on popbucket.co.uk, Popbucket

“Musically, this is a very driven album. Each track has a strong rhythmic feel to it whilst Mase carries the melody with her vocal lines. Her band serves each song well and provides the perfect atmosphere for her voice. Diversity is also key. At times the music can be 80′s inspired, reggae inspired and even pop inspired. This album is an eclectic mix of inspiration and shows just how diverse the music of Marla Mase can be.”

— monolith-sound.com

“One listen to Marla Mase and you'll be beckoned into her world of provocative lyric poems that are impactful and insightful. Her album, Speak Deluxe, is full of sounds that mirror the likes of Patti Smith and Frank Zappa, while allowing Marla to maintain a unique and distinctive representation all on her own.”

— Kyle Jarmon, Examiner.com

“Marla Mase who featured heavily on the website in 2011 has been on a recent tour in China and spent her time usefully to release a new video for Piece of Peace. I look forward to catching up with Marla Mase pretty soon to and hope to be able to feature more in 2013, for now here is Piece of Peace in which we find Marla in an even more powerful space which she fills with admirable boots.”

— Tim Whale, indiebandsblog.com

“Marla is taking herself back on the road but closer to home, for a four night tour of New England, in support of the Deluxe version of last years Speak. The album is a thing of beauty, where the structure of rock and roll and the scripture of art meet in the world. As likely to rock as it is to delve into spoken word, it has elements of Patti Smith as we haven't heard in a long, long time. Listen to "Scream" for a lesson in thought and action. And has anyone ever got more out of two words, "Divine" and "restlesness" before?”

— Iman Lababedi, Rock NYC

“Marla Mase, True Groove recording artist and a terrific rock and blues singer who can scream with the best of them, has recorded a new song with Tomas and the Global family, working a simple as hell play on words "Give me a piece of peace" into a powerful call for world harmony.”

— Iman Lababedi, Rock NYC

“Madalyn: Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them. Marla Mase: My toughest moments were all the years I spent NOT doing what I knew I wanted to be doing, what I was ‘called’ to do. This also includes my writing and performing by the way — but I spent so many years hiding, letting fear take over, thinking that things had to be a certain way before I could get out there, do something and it’s just not true. It literally took a breakdown to cause me to break-through and just do it. Fear or not, perfect or not, I knew it was life or death. Literally. Once I opened the door to action and putting the negative voices aside (or at least not letting them rule my life) it’s been quite a thrill even with all the frustrations that comes with being in this business.”

— Madalyn Sklar , GoGirlsMusic.com

“Since the beginning of the music industry, it’s been easy to see that there are at least two kinds of artists, and the main difference lies somewhere in the metaphysical realm of intention. Some artists have truly great ideas that resonate with others because they speak their truth. Others write music specifically to sell, and they’ll do anything to do so – including ignoring their hearts and spewing who-knows-what into the world. New York rock poet Marla Mase falls squarely into the former category. Why waste precious life not being open and honest with the other souls who share your world? She expresses and says what she wants in free flow poetic form, much like the great Patti Smith, and she does so with a fearless ease.”

— James Moore, Skope Magazine

“Marla Mase remains on top with this her second album, it is a musical creation that will intrigue and possibly enlighten those who have not yet experienced music as art and will delight those who already worship their musical Goddess.”

— Sarah Betts, http://www.musika.uk.com

“The crowd was then treated to Brooklynite performance art lioness Marla Mase growling over two guitarists (like Funk and Fripp) and drum tracks--a frenetic action show that channeled Patti Smith as she crooned “I changed my cell phone number--it’s a big deal now, you know?” ”

— Jason E.R. Hedrington, TheValleyBeat.com

"New York native Marla Mase is the epitome of a lyrical messenger."

— Cyrus Webb, Conversations Magazine

“ In a world of farce, fakery, and ridiculousness – where reality shows and ‘commercial’ musicians are bought and paid for – Marla Mase brings back the very real, raw, and brilliant concept of what rock-n-roll is all about!”

— Amy Lignor, StAugNews.com

“Coral: Has there been any events in your life that has determined the type of music that you play? Marla: Every song/every word I write is determined by what is going on in my life and that ‘going on’ has a feeling, a mood, a genre — thus my eclectic musical styles ”

— Coral Rose / Marla Mase, coralroseradio.co.uk

“Marla Mase charts #8 on the indiebandblog New Year Ninety 2012 countdown for best emerging bands....”

— Tim Whale, indiebandsblog.com

All Press

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Songs

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Things That Scare Me

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Piece of Peace

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AnnaRexia

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Dance the Tango

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She Hooked Him Up

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Discography

SPEAK DELUXE Released on Feb 28, 2013
SPEAK Released on Jul 6, 2011
A Brief Night Out Released on Nov 30, 2010

Videos

Marla Mase - Piece of Peace - Official Music Video*

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Shows

Full-Screen View »

Sat
Jun 15

Summerstage NYC 2013
Brooklyn, NY, US | 7:00pm
Summerstage NYC 2013
Brooklyn, NY, US
Sat Jun 15 7:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

SPEAK written by Marla Mase, music by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker, is a global multi-media concert/performance piece using live music, spoken word, dance and visual imagery to explore the themes of confinement, sexuality, body image, trauma, oppression (internal/ external) and freedom as a means of celebrating the raw reality of our human condition as expressed through the eyes, bodies, voices of women. The music written by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker is a fusion of rock-n-roll with world beat, punk, funk, electronica, reggae and soul and is performed live with Marla Mase and The Tomás Doncker Band, along with a troupe of dancers under the choreography of Adrienne Hurd, and 5-7 (all women) actors each of whom has a distinct voice and tale in the mythistories and archetypes that make up WOMAN. Film/visual imagery is designed by James Jankiewicz. The show is directed by Sara Berg.
Sun
Jun 23

Arlene's Grocery
New York, NY, US | 8:00pm
Arlene's Grocery
New York, NY, US
Sun Jun 23 8:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

Studio Samuel Foundation Fundraiser -- 'empowering girls without pity' --
Sat
Aug 17

Summerstage NYC 2013 - …
New York, NY, US | 7:00pm
Summerstage NYC 2013 - E...
New York, NY, US
Sat Aug 17 7:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

SPEAK written by Marla Mase, music by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker, is a global multi-media concert/performance piece using live music, spoken word, dance and visual imagery to explore the themes of confinement, sexuality, body image, trauma, oppression (internal/ external) and freedom as a means of celebrating the raw reality of our human condition as expressed through the eyes, bodies, voices of women. The music written by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker is a fusion of rock-n-roll with world beat, punk, funk, electronica, reggae and soul and is performed live with Marla Mase and The Tomás Doncker Band, along with a troupe of dancers under the choreography of Adrienne Hurd, and 5-7 (all women) actors each of whom has a distinct voice and tale in the mythistories and archetypes that make up WOMAN. Film/visual imagery is designed by James Jankiewicz. The show is directed by Sara Berg.
Mon
Sep 9

Blue Note Jazz Club
New York, NY, US | 8:00pm
Blue Note Jazz Club
New York, NY, US
Mon Sep 09 8:00pm
- Show Details
- Tickets

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Sales@EasyDisc
Hi, We offer CD/DVD Manufacturing & Print Service. I would like to know if you would be interested in our services? www.EasyDisc.net. Email: Sales@EasyDisc.net Phone: ...
ian paulin
G'day from Tasmania!Great music,songs and by golly you've kept the fun up big time,loving it!But you have something to say and share! 'Things That Scare ME" love it . . bu...
Mydogisdead
great tunes good people
The Glumsters
Great tunes!!! Cool style;)
Still inlimbo
That is hot....
Cecilia McLaren
AnnaRexia... powerful message, Much respect to you Marla!