BIOGRAPHY
“Marta’s songs are beautifully crafted and subtly orchestrated folk compositions of a rare quality” whisperinandhollerin.com
“Sultry songstress Marta’s latest release Rebel Baby is a sexy, neo-folk serenade” Jon Regen. Playboy Magazine
The Polish-born, Australian-raised Marta Pacek grew up on the outskirts of Australia’s capital Canberra before moving to Melbourne to focus on singing and songwriting.
She began her career writing and recording with Mark Seymour, front man of iconic Australian group Hunters & Collectors. With a handful of songs she had co-written with Seymour, Marta recorded her debut EP with Cameron McKenzie and Mark Seymour. She later went on to record a further 4 tracks with producer Danny Simcic (Real Life “Send Me An Angel”) and UK ex-pat Martin Van Hoof Jenkins to complete her self-titled full release.
Since then she has taken the time to hone her craft having recently made NYC her base when not touring internationally.
In 2008, Marta was approached by Toronto-based management and found her way to Canada. Within a year, Marta was opening for her collaborator, Mark Seymour on his North American tour.
The following April, Marta traveled to New York City to work with award-winning director Devaashish Khanna to shoot a music video for her song '”Annie” at the infamous Hotel Chelsea.
In November 2010, Marta was awarded Best Alternative-Country song for her single "A Girl Gets By" at the Canberra Country Music Awards. She also won Best International Artist for her single "Loving Is Easy" at the New Music Festival in Ontario, Canada.
Marta has opened for the Partridge Family’s David Cassidy and Phoenix-based band Vinyl Station (formed by ex Gin Blossoms drummer Scott Kusmirek,) on their U.S. tour. During her European dates, Marta was approached by classical conductor Giancarrlo Urso and first violinist Maurizio Azzarello with an interest in writing orchestral arrangements of her compositions. As part of a special live DVD release featuring tracks from Rebel Baby, Marta returned to Italy in December 2010 for a Christmas concert where she performed with The Gala Orchestra of Milan at Teatro Sociale of Lecco, Italy.
Marta’s intense and moody writing style has gained her attention in the film & television industry recently when her cover of Patty Griffin’s "Nobody’s Crying" was licensed for use in ABCs popular television series Rookie Blue seen by over 9 million viewers in the U.S., and millions more worldwide. She also wrote the song “In The Name Of Love” to be licensed for Canadian Director Devaashish Khanna’s feature film Fondi 91.
Marta co-produced her newest release Rebel Baby with Jason Mercer (Ani DiFranco & Ron Sexsmith) and emerging artist Peirson Ross. Rebel Baby features 27 world-class musicians including Canadian alt-country artist Justin Rutledge on backing vocals and Jerome Godboo (Phantoms) on harmonica.
Since the release of her debut EP, Marta has evolved from songwriter to producer/arranger. The newfound honesty in her songs is more intimate, moody and human. In Rebel Baby, Marta has felt true human frailty and is sharing it with her listeners.
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