Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City. She writes songs, plays, monologues, short stories, erotica, blogs, and poems. Her songs also carry the signature sound of Tomás Doncker, her guitarist, co-writer and producer. Marla is currently rehearsing her show ‘SPEAK’ ( http://speaktheshow.com ), coming this Summer 2013. SPEAK 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 7 actresses 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.
The Deluxe Edition of “Speak” contains 16 tracks, with 6 additional songs that were not on the original album. As a poet, Mase’s writings can be abstract and difficult to connect with, but when formed into song, the spirit and passion behind them is evident enough to make the listener understand what she wants to communicate, and the vitality of her message.
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Her voice wails and shrieks throughout the album, a soft vibrato making itself known during quieter moments while her primal growl dominates throughout. Her performances serve as proof that when singing, she really is transported to another place, one the listener can easily get sucked into, be it during the driving chant of “Piece of Peace,” or “She Hooked Him Up,” which paints an intensely vivid picture through narrative. Mase’s instances of poetry certainly make you feel like you’re listening to more than a rock album.
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. In fact, “Speak,” explores a series of lifestyle and psychological themes from the female viewpoint. Marla doesn’t ever hold back emotions and lets it all out into her songs, while her backing band are also amazing performers, knowing exactly what to do across each and every bar of music, to enhance the listening experience.
There are many standout songs here, some that come to mind are; “Scream,” “Open Up My Heart,” “Divine Restlessness,” “AnnaRexia,” “Kill Love,” “Blog,” “Smithereens” and “Squirm.”
“Speak” is as much a theater piece in audio form as it is a rock n’ roll album. The music drives and swoops, oscillates and screams, comforts and menaces, illuminates and communicates. It blesses the intellect, the broken or soaring spirit, the sacred and the depraved heart and moreover feeds the hungering body.
Produced by Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma for the True Groove label, “SPEAK Deluxe” is an alternative rock album of rare quality.
Marla Mase
OFFICIAL LINKS & WEBSITES:
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