Martha Wainwright

20 years ago my life as an artist took shape when my first record was released. In many ways that record defined me, as well as launched me into a now over 20 year long career that has made me who I am. It was after 10 years of playing in bars, making cassettes and EPs to sell at my shows, singing backup for my brother Rufus, falling in love and out of love and in again, practicing, writing, singing until I could barely sing anymore, partying, walking for hours and hours, crying and laughing with friends, playing with musicians and listening to great artists working with my ex-husband in the studio for 2 years that created this first record.

Labels wouldn’t sign me when I started and I had to craft, with the help of many people, an album that would finally be licensed and released in 2005. My first record tells my story and when it was finally released I was able to work and tour and have a career in music - something that I always wanted but wasn’t sure would happen. 20 years later, with 6 other albums under my belt, 2 kids and a career that is chugging along, I can safely say that my first record paved my way forward and I’m very proud of it and still sing many of these early songs.

On March 21st we will release the record on vinyl for the first time ever (pre-orders starting soon), as well as digitally release unheard songs, outakes and early material from that 10 year period of discovery that led to my first record. And along with the re-release there will be a tour (with more dates being announced soon), with a few great musicians, where I’ll play the record in its entirety as well as a few new songs - there’s no 48 year old me without the 28 year old me.

With love and gratitude,
Martha