Star Scene: Martika

Martika’s scene is: “chill.” The American pop singer-songwriter and actress sums it up with one word, though with her laid back sultry drawl, the word “kill” is heard down the line. Martika laughs, unperturbed, and says, “kill? You heard kill? I am not a grunge rock act so not kill. No, chill. I like to relax and take it easy. I am a California girl.”

Martika began her career as a child actor, appearing in the hit movie ‘Annie’, and then cast as ‘Gloria’ on the Disney children series Kids Incorporated, appearing alongside Stacy Ferguson (Fergie, The Black Eyed Peas), Mario Lopez, Shanice, and others. It was here her dream was realised, as was her desire to continue in the music industry, as she states: “My influences were, as a little girl Pat Benatar. When I was older, more like the pop acts that were on tv, Michael Jackson, so many different acts that inspired me to do music.” [pullquote]“Yeah it was my adolescence, getting to learn a lot about recording and working with the dancers, and the stylists. I can’t imagine a more fun way to spend my teenage years.” [/pullquote]

Early success on TV prepared her only slightly for when she would be discovered by the worldwide music community. Still not out of her teens, in 1988, she signed to CBS/Sony records and released her debut CD titled ‘Martika’. The album was a huge success, selling over 3 million units worldwide and making Martika an international star. The most notable song was her Billboard #1 hit song ‘Toy Soldiers’ which she wrote about a friend’s battle with drugs.

Martika’s follow up CD ‘Martika’s Kitchen’ was co-produced by Prince, and her number one hit ‘Love, Thy Will Be Done’ was co-written with him. Martika fondly remembers working with Prince. [pullquote]“Working with Prince was very cool he was excellent it was like a dream come true; to be able to create all the time, and visit Paisley Park.”[/pullquote]

‘Love, Thy Will Be Done’ spent five weeks at number one on the Australian charts, bringing Martika to Australian shores. Her memories of Australia are warmhearted. She states: “Melbourne and Sydney are the only two cities I visited. I was excited to see kangaroos and koalas. We did a lot of photo shoots. I got to meet a lot of people. I loved the energy after we finished working, we would have wonderful dinners and hang back, not as much sleep as I needed but it was worth it, the guitars came out it was very creative I loved it.”

Martika also toured Europe and Japan and states: “I didn’t grow up touring. I wasn’t used to being jet-lagged, it was very fast paced, schedules were jam packed for me. It was very fast paced. I couldn’t catch my breath. It was a little overwhelming at the time. It was exhausting but an incredible opportunity that could take me around the world, meet great people, and visit different countries and see the cultures. I’m grateful.”

Martika’s success didn’t stop there. She continued working in television and had a recurring role on the hit series ‘Wiseguys’, playing lounge singer Dahlia Mendez. Martika also started working as a writer and producer through much of the 90’s. However, she missed singing and performing so in 2004, Martika formed a duo called ‘OPPERA’ and released the CD titled ‘Violince’ and then in 2005, a follow up CD titled ‘Oppera’. Her dream coming full circle when she toured with Pat Benatar to support the new material. More recently, Martika has performed as a solo artist with her hits, and also in festivals, including the Hit Parade festival in Chile alongside Debbie Gibson, Samantha Fox, and Rick Astley.

In 2016, Martika is looking forward to touring with the Totally 80s festival in Australia. She states: “I was in Australia a very long time ago when my records were out and I can’t wait to make some new memories. I am excited to perform and do several shows with really cool acts. Really excited to bring it and get on stage travel the countryside. Great way to start the year. It is thrilling for me. Stay with the concept of visiting the 80s so we will keep it retro for this particular tour. I will be singing my hit singles Toys Soldiers, I Feel The Earth Move, Love Thy Will Be Done. I want to capture the sound of the records and some of the visual aspects of the videos so it is like a flashback. There will be surprises.”

Don’t miss out on what may happen on stage! The earth will move under your feet.