Bio

Martha Groves Perry

Martha Groves Perry is a singer-songwriter, entertainer, and multi-instrumentalist based in San Francisco, California. Her bold, original Alternative Rock music has a straightforward, compelling and sometimes edgy clarity with flavors of Americana and blues. Her penetrating lyrics, described as “journaling in poetry,” reflect the fearless truth-telling and unbothered amusement of a seasoned, female point of view.

Some characterize Martha’s music as a cross between Tom Waits, early Gwen Stefani, and the Indigo Girls, and her unique vocal style has been placed alongside those of Natalie Merchant, Stevie Nicks, Ricki Lee Jones, and Patti Smith. Martha captivates audiences with a magnetic stage presence alongside committed, engaging performances of her meaningful and substantive songs.

After fronting and songwriting for MapleDream, an all-female original band, Martha began her solo career with the 2016 release of a 4-song EP of her original music titled Something Good. Her first full-length album of original music, These Hands, released on March 1, 2020 and features Martha on cello and acoustic guitar as well as lead and harmony vocals. In April 2023, she released a new album, Call Out, and again sold out Art Boutiki Music Hall in San Jose CA for her album release show. In May 2023, she and her band completed a 6-city US heartland tour including a debut in Nashville at The Bowery Vault, where she shared a bill with Greg Camp of SmashMouth. Martha debuted at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley CA with a solo opening set for YellowWood Junction on February 1, 2024. Martha performs as a solo artist and with her 4-piece band, The MGP Band.

Martha began her recording career as a cello soloist on classical, rock, and folk CDs by Michèle Sharik, Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon, and Mira Wooten. She sang backup and toured with Bev and Greg in 2007-2009, then fronted the Soul Providers, a dance cover band until 2011, when Martha left the band to start MapleDream.

As a vocalist and cellist, she toured with Michelle Shocked, and has also performed with Tony Lindsay, Skip Edwards, James Nash, Jesse Brewster, Rich Armstrong, Crystal Monee Hall, Uriah Duffy, and Greg Tanner Harris. In addition to her instrumental work as a cello soloist, Martha plays piano, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and percussion.

Please also see Martha’s list of past shows and her blog posts about: