Bio

Martha Groves Perry

Martha Groves Perry is a singer-songwriter, entertainer, and multi-instrumentalist based in San Francisco, California. Her original music has a straightforward, compelling and sometimes edgy clarity with strong blues, southern rock, and experimental influences and a badass Americana flavor. Her penetrating lyrics, described by her producer, Kenny Schick, 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. Martha captivates audiences during her endearing stage shows with thoughtful and hilarious stories 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 release in 2016 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. She released a new album, Call Out, on Friday, April 21, 2023, with a sold out, celebration Album Release Show at Art Boutiki Music Hall in San Jose CA on Saturday, April 22, 2023. She just completed a tour in the US midwest & southeast in May 2023 with her new rhythm section, The MGP Band, with Kevin Kriner on bass and Yuri Selukoff on drums.

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, guitar, bass guitar, and percussion.

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