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Catching up with rising soul songstress Martha Afework

Writer's picture: The Tribe's PathThe Tribe's Path

Updated: Jan 12, 2019

BY GERVAIS MBUNKEU AND AIYANYO "YANY" AIBANGBEE



The internet is a really weird place. Here are just a few things you can find and do on the internet: the love of your life(1 in 3 relationships start there), buy human organs, get catfished, and, believe it or not, discover very talented young people on there as well.


In our very first edition of 2019, we caught up with a rising superstar, DMV-based singer and songwriter, Martha Afework. The Silver Spring, MD native is as soulful and jazzy as she is beautiful, she is a classically-trained pianist, and an all-around amazingly talented musician and human being. Her sultry groove and soothing vocals deliver a powerful musical concoction that warms the heart and throw the body into a trance-like state. She combines the various styles of other soulful singers such as India Arie, Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse and D'Angelo, all of whom she deeply admires.


On the eve of the release of her debut EP titled "One Eighty," she is also preparing for her upcoming major headline show at the Fillmore(presented by Live Nation). Certainly this show will have all the feels of a proper homecoming, the prodigal daughter returns home.

She gave us an exclusive chat, and told us all about her music, her lovely parents, her growing social media presence, and her...wait for it...actual DAY JOB!


The Tribe's Path: Hi Martha, thanks for sitting down with us, how are you feeling?

Martha Afework: Hi, thanks for having me. I'm feeling well, I'm pretty excited and a little tired, I've been rehearsing for a show tonight at Velvet Lounge on U-Street. I'm headed to soundcheck in a few.


TTP: That's pretty awesome, we're excited for you. Tell us a little bit about yourself, how did you get into singing?

M.A.: Thank you so much. I am originally from the DMV(DC-Maryland-Virginia) area, I grew up in Silver Spring, MD, and went to Walter Johnson High School in Rockville. My parents are originally from Ethiopia. Really I have been singing since I was able to form sentences. I started learning the piano at 4, and I've been playing ever since.



"I have been singing since I was able to form sentences..."

TTP: You mentioned that your parents are from Ethiopia, knowing African parents, tell us how they handled your desire to embark on a music career.

M.A: My parents are Ethiopian immigrants, they hold deep traditional values. They strongly emphasized the importance of school and graduating all the time. I went to St. Mary's college of Maryland and graduated with an English degree in 2015. After graduation, I got a job working for a consulting firm, which I continue to do along with my musical career.


TTP: You got them off your back then. How do they feel about your growing popularity? Have they attended any of your performances yet?

M.A: They're coming around to it, they're hearing about everything through other people. They always considered music to be an extracurricular activity for me. They haven't been to any of my shows yet, but they're warming up to the idea.


TTP: We're sure they're super proud of you, even if they won't admit it. African parents can be tough on us sometimes, but deep down they're excited for us. Let's go back to how you stormed onto the music scene, you weren't discovered by an A&R, or by a talent scout. Tell us how you shot up.

M.A.: Thank you. To be honest, I don't really know. I just started uploading some videos of me singing my original music online, before I knew it people started sharing and posting them on Instagram, then boom! Everything went from there, LOL. Actually, my very first performance in DC was booked from Instagram.


"My very first performance in DC was booked from Instagram."


TTP: How's your debut EP coming? Are there any features on it? Do you have a release date yet?

M.A: It is done, I wrote and co-produced all the songs on it. It'll be released very soon, I'm going to continue to drop individual singles and build excitement before releasing it.


TTP: Which local artists have you had a chance to work with?

M.A: I've worked with Eddie Vanz from Baltimore, I've performed with a plethora of talented local artists.


TTP: Which artists do you listen to the most? Who are your inspirations?

M.A: I would say D'Angelo, Jessie Reyes, Indie Arie, Jill Scott, and Lauryn Hill, just to name a few.


TTP: What's the biggest challenge you've faced?

M.A: I would have to say getting out of my own way. Also keeping my head down and having faith that everything is going to be fine.


"I was very shy as a kid, I had terrible stage fright until very recently."





TTP: What advice would you give to 8-year-old Martha about music?

M.A: Man, to be frank, I'd tell her to be strong, to be fearless, not to be afraid. I was very shy as a kid, I had terrible stage fright, it lasted until very recently. I was petrified about singing in front of people, including family.


TTP: Do you have any tips for young girls out there dreaming of making it big?

M.A: I would tell them to make sure to surround themselves with genuine people. The world is full of sketchy, opportunistic individuals. Choose the people you work with very carefully. My producers for example, have become some really good friends, I rely on them a lot.


TTP: When was the last time you visited Ethiopia, and what's your favorite city there?

M.A: I last visited Ethiopia in 2015, I absolutely love Addis Ababa, that's where my family is from.


TTP: When you're not doing anything related to music what do you do?

M.A: Sleep. LOL, I don't have a lot of spare time, so whenever I'm free, I hibernate. I also spend time with my family.


TTP: Thank you for chatting with us Martha, we can't wait to see you rock the Fillmore.

M.A: Thank you so much, and thanks for having me.



Martha Afework is a DMV-based singer and songwriter, her single "Won't Stop" is available on Spotify, Youtube, and Soundcloud. Her debut album "One Eighty" will be released soon. She is performing at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland on February 7, 2018. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

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