Five minutes with: Singer Martha Johnson from Toronto

Martha Johnson is a founding member and lead singer of the Canadian art-pop band Martha and the Muffins, formed in 1977. Her career, which has spanned more than four decades and eleven albums, three of which were co-produced with Daniel Lanois, has had many highlights: the worldwide success of “Echo Beach” (JUNO Award for Single of the Year in 1980), a tour of the UK with Roxy Music, number 2 on the US Billboard Dance Charts with “Black Stations/White Stations” and another top 10 hit in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the song “Troy”, which she co-wrote with the German hip-hop group Die Fantastischen Vier. The song was later used in the mobile phone company O2’s advertising campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

After the birth of her daughter, Martha released Songs From The Tree House, a collection of children’s songs. The album won another JUNO Award for Best Children’s Album in 1996. She then began a career as a child singer with Prologue To The Performing Arts for several years. In 2000, Martha was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was eventually forced to stop performing live. Instead, she focused on recording projects, reissues of Martha and the Muffins, and new releases.

In 2013, Martha released her debut solo album, SOLO•ONE, with co-producers Ray Dillard and Mark Gane. She co-wrote three songs for the album with JUNO Songwriter of the Year winner Ron Sexsmith. Today, Martha continues to collaborate with younger singer/songwriters and is working on new recording projects.

Recently, a cover version of the Buffalo Springfield classic “For What It’s Worth” by Martha and the Muffins received over fifty thousand views on YouTube.

Martha’s latest endeavor began at the suggestion of her neurologist, Dr. Fasano of the Krembil Research Institute/University Health Network in Toronto. He encouraged her to collaborate with one of his other patients, songwriter/musician Fabio Dwyer, on a song to raise awareness of Parkinson’s to a wider audience. The resulting song, “Slow Emotion,” was performed largely by musicians and singers with Parkinson’s and released globally on all platforms on April 11, 2024, World Parkinson’s Day. With support from the Krembil Research Institute/University Health Network and Parkinson Canada, there is an accompanying documentary by Toronto filmmaker Jason Cipparrone about the song’s creation.

Surname:

Martha Johnson

Genre:

For over 40 years there was new wave, punk funk, ambient, 80s dance, art pop, etc.

Founded:

Martha and the Muffins 1977 with Mark Gane and David Millar.

Number of albums:

11

Latest album:

Marthology: In and Outtakes (2021 as Martha and the Muffins)

Latest single:

Slow Emotions (as Martha and Company)

Latest video:

Favorite musicians in childhood:

The Beatles

Favorite musicians now:

The weather station

Guilty pleasure song:

“Love Began With Eve” by Martha and the Muffins. I feel guilty because we choose our own song, but it’s very special to me because Mark (my partner) sings the song with our daughter Eve. The lyrics are heartfelt and I sometimes cry when I hear them.

Ritual at a live show:

I don’t play live anymore as my Parkinson’s symptoms have gotten worse over the years. I just don’t have enough energy to perform on stage. I used to always smell the microphone before going on stage to make sure it didn’t smell as awful as the microphone I was given in a club somewhere in the US. When I complained about the smelly microphone, I was told that Joe Cocker had been there the night before.

Favorite musicians from the area:

John Orpheus

EP or LP?

LP. I like to get a comprehensive overview of what an artist is about.

Early riser or night owl?

Actually, neither. I go to bed around 11pm, read my book for a while and then hopefully fall asleep straight away. On a good night, I sleep maybe 7 hours straight.

On the road or in the studio?

I prefer the studio, but I remember our previous exciting shows when we played with The B52, Roxy Music, Simple Minds, Eurythmics and others.

Are there any shows or albums coming up soon?

We have footage from a tribute night for Martha and the Muffins that took place about 10 years ago at The Rivoli in Toronto, with a lot of great artists playing MatM covers, and we want to release that as a documentary.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Youtube | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp

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Quick local questions:

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Vivetha Bistro in The Beaches

What is your favorite street in your city and why?

Broadview Ave in Riverdale Park and The Rooster Cafe. This is where you’ll find the most spectacular view of the city skyline.

What is your favorite park in your city and why?

The Evergreen Brickworks in the Don Valley. You feel like you are in the middle of the country. I watch the changing seasons there all year round.

What is your favorite music venue in your city?

Koerner Hall, aesthetically and sonically beautiful.

What is your favorite music store in your city?

Kops Records on The Danforth