Martha Ffion

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Martha Ffion is the musical project of songwriter Claire Martha Ffion McKay, who has just signed to Turnstile - home to the likes of Gruff Rhys and Cate Le Bon. Her latest release via Lost Map Records has introduced Martha to a whole new international audience, seeing her tipped as "an artist that seems ready-made for wider acclaim" (Tom Johnson, Goldflakepaint).

Since the release of her 2014 self-released debut EP 'Go', there has been a major development in her sound. Performing with a full band for the past year has transformed Martha's songwriting process, and the new material has adopted a punchier edge with echoes of Sharon Van Etten and Engel Olsen. But her core influences remain consistent and tangible: 60s icons like The Beatles, the Shangri-Las and Nancy Sinatra. There's a hint of Blondie too, particularly in the wry delivery of her lyrics.

Martha Ffion

28 Feb, 2019
Martha Ffion: Supporting C Duncan

Martha Ffion will support C Duncan at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen on 19th April.

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay
06 Mar, 2018
Martha Ffion: Debut Album Review

Martha Ffion's debut album 'Sunday Best' receives a 4 Star review, and she is interviewed in The Skinny.
'Sunday Best' is released on 9th March on Turnstile.

www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/martha-ffion-on-sunday-best
30 Nov, 2017
Martha Ffion: New Album 'Sunday Best'

Irish-born, and now Glasgow based singer-songwriter Martha Ffion announces new album entitled 'Sunday Best' which will be released on Turnstile in early 2018. To celebrate the news Martha Ffion has also released a track from the album - the wonderful 'We Make Do'.
'Sunday Best' is by far her most adventurous and accomplished work to-date, the lush instrumentation bringing her detailed lyrical vision to life through a series of gleaming guitar-pop songs that drift between soft-centred balladry and something altogether more cutting and forceful.
It's perhaps true to say that our relationship with music is steered solely by connection. Sometimes that's a very direct thing; the words we sing along to relatable to our own desires and experiences. Occasionally, however, it manifests itself in other ways, a captivation drawn from something we can't conveniently place or pigeon-hole; songs and sentiments we watch from afar, trying to find a way inside.
Martha Ffion's work has always flourished within the latter of these two paths. While her Irish roots and current home city of Glasgow have undoubtedly informed her work, so many of her songs resonate all the more for feeling wildly devoid of time and place, an alluring cast of characters drifting in and out of focus, each one examining Ffion's own thoughts on what it means to be "good" in a society that has such determined expectations.
Initially breaking through with a 'postcard single' on Scotland's flourishing Lost Map label, Ffion's reputation soared with last year's 'Trip' EP, a swooning five-track collection that was released by Turnstile Music (Cate Le Bon, Gruff Rhys, Charlotte Church, Emmy the Great etc.) and championed by GoldFlakePaint for its "beautifully melodic sway".

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay
30 Nov, 2017
Martha Ffion: Debut Album & UK Tour

Irish-born, and now Glasgow based singer-songwriter Martha Ffion announces new album entitled 'Sunday Best' which will be released on Turnstile on 9th March 2018.
She has announced a UK for March.

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay
22 Aug, 2017
Martha Ffion: 'Rumours' At True North Festival

Martha Ffion is one of the artists participating in the Start to End performance of Fleetwood Mac's album 'Rumours', at the True North Festival in Aberdeen on 9th September.

www.facebook.com/TrueNorthFest
05 Jun, 2017
Martha Ffion: Scottish Tour

Martha Ffion will make a short tour of Scotland in July. See her artist page for details.

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay
13 Sep, 2016
Martha Ffion: New EP & Tour

Martha Ffion's new 'Trip' EP is released on 14th October on Turnstile, and is previewed in 'The Line Of Best Fit'.
See her artist page for October tour dates.

www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/martha-ffion-announces-debut-ep-trip
10 Jun, 2016
Martha Ffion: UK Tour In October

Martha Ffion will tour the UK throughout October, see her artist page for full details.

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay
19 Apr, 2016
Martha Ffion: New Single & Video 'We Disappear'

Martha Ffion today reveals the beautiful video to her third single for Turnstile today, 'We Disappear'.
Set in the old Govanhill swimming baths in Glasgow and directed by Beth Chalmers, the video features contemporary dancer Natalie McLeary as well as a cameo appearance by Martha Ffion!
Clare Martha Ffion McKay, who performs under her middle names, released her debut single for Turnstile, 'So Long' last year, followed by 'Wallflower' in February. She infuses the tougher edge of the likes of Sharon Van Etten and Cate Le Bon and creates a sound that is uniquely hers, but inviting to all.
Martha Ffion has also announced headline shows in May.
30 Jan, 2016
Martha Ffion: Single & UK Tour

Glasgow based artist Martha Ffion releases her second single for Turnstile, 'Wallflower'. The 60's soaked, guitar lead track is another glimpse at this intriguing talent, following on from her Turnstile debut 'So Long'. Classic 60's style song writing, combined with a tougher edge (think Sharon Van Etten, Cate Le Bon) result in a refreshing contemporary sound, fully justifying the support Martha Ffion has already received from Marc Riley and Mary Anne Hobbs on 6music and Huw Stephens on R1.

www.facebook.com/marthaffionmckay