Martha Reich

In To Trees

A lone guitar and cello atmospherically open up the new offering from singer songwriter Martha Reich out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Then Reich unfolds images wrapped in care to a wonderful instrumentation perfectly placed to allow her lyrics to take shape and give meaning.  Reich co-produced with Larry Mitchell as well as climbing behind the console to engineer several tracks in this ambitious project born at two studios.  She writes, sings, produces, engineers, plays guitars-acoustic & electric, also plays keyboards and tends to violin textures.  She is well supported by Gregg Braden on acoustic guitar who also adds a Native Red Cedar flute and is also accompanied by Michael Kott on viola and cello.  Josh Martin holds some of the tunes down on bass, but also adds a sweet mandolin to the work as producer Mitchell assists on acoustic and electric guitars.

Reich’s appeal comes through her vocals and lyrics, she seems to be a writer talking to us all about this life we are in, but I have the feeling she is also talking to herself in soft reassuring question that welcomes thought and rest.  Rest from the weariness of life, of the fears that living life and accepting chance and choices always brings.  As a writer I have fallen for the images and the quiet musical landscape that supports Martha’s vocal, which invite one in to explore with her feelings.
It would be diminishing to listen and reminisce, searching memory banks of other female artists that certainly have influenced this artist, but that seems like way too much work behind her melodic and textured tapestry of lyrics and music.  What I find myself drifting off to, more than her well-crafted words and images, is the feel Reich employs in the music to support the story. Arrangements are rafted in flowing lush ideas that illuminate her realities, her dreams, her life. The sparse musical accompaniment is devised to assist her art/vision and become the form Reich employs, defines someone who knows where they want to take their audience.
- Victory Music Review

In To Trees

A lone guitar and cello atmospherically open up the new offering from singer songwriter Martha Reich out of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Then Reich unfolds images wrapped in care to a wonderful instrumentation perfectly placed to allow her lyrics to take shape and give meaning.  Reich co-produced with Larry Mitchell as well as climbing behind the console to engineer several tracks in this ambitious project born at two studios.  She writes, sings, produces, engineers, plays guitars-acoustic & electric, also plays keyboards and tends to violin textures.  She is well supported by Gregg Braden on acoustic guitar who also adds a Native Red Cedar flute and is also accompanied by Michael Kott on viola and cello.  Josh Martin holds some of the tunes down on bass, but also adds a sweet mandolin to the work as producer Mitchell assists on acoustic and electric guitars.

Reich’s appeal comes through her vocals and lyrics, she seems to be a writer talking to us all about this life we are in, but I have the feeling she is also talking to herself in soft reassuring question that welcomes thought and rest.  Rest from the weariness of life, of the fears that living life and accepting chance and choices always brings.  As a writer I have fallen for the images and the quiet musical landscape that supports Martha’s vocal, which invite one in to explore with her feelings.
It would be diminishing to listen and reminisce, searching memory banks of other female artists that certainly have influenced this artist, but that seems like way too much work behind her melodic and textured tapestry of lyrics and music.  What I find myself drifting off to, more than her well-crafted words and images, is the feel Reich employs in the music to support the story. Arrangements are rafted in flowing lush ideas that illuminate her realities, her dreams, her life. The sparse musical accompaniment is devised to assist her art/vision and become the form Reich employs, defines someone who knows where they want to take their audience.
- Victory Music Review

With the release of Martha Reich's first CD, "The Color of Blue", she has been playing New Mexico's most respected venues. Her voice has often been compared to that of Joan Baez, but don't be fooled. Reich is a true original.

....Josh Martin - Santa Fe Reporter

With the release of Martha Reich's first CD, "The Color of Blue", she has been playing New Mexico's most respected venues. Her voice has often been compared to that of Joan Baez, but don't be fooled. Reich is a true original.

....Josh Martin - Santa Fe Reporter

Martha Reich makes music that bespeaks the mellow vibes and spiritual solitude of "Santa Fe" so clearly and naturally that you'll have no trouble believing that she's a New England transplant. "The Color of Blue" showcases her ample guitar skills and pretty, breathy soprano....Sarah Meadows - Santa Fe Reporter

Martha Reich makes music that bespeaks the mellow vibes and spiritual solitude of "Santa Fe" so clearly and naturally that you'll have no trouble believing that she's a New England transplant. "The Color of Blue" showcases her ample guitar skills and pretty, breathy soprano....Sarah Meadows - Santa Fe Reporter

You should be playing in Austin....
Steve Dodds - Third Coast travel-food-culture

You should be playing in Austin....
Steve Dodds - Third Coast travel-food-culture

"This song brings a new light to our souls, and places you in a peaceful state" - Darrol Cox KSVR FM radio

"This song brings a new light to our souls, and places you in a peaceful state" - Darrol Cox KSVR FM radio

Martha Reich reminds us through her music, we all have a common bond.... - Darrol Cox, music director KSVR 91.7 FM

Martha Reich reminds us through her music, we all have a common bond.... - Darrol Cox, music director KSVR 91.7 FM

THIS WEEK : CULTURE : Music


Ruckus: Play a Song For Me
By Gabe Gomez

January 2, 2008


Close-knit working musicians who play together and support one another in a variety of band lineups and solo projects are the lifeblood of any local music scene. But traveling bands get all the attention, often at the expense of local talent. One of these locals, singer-songwriter and Americana artist Martha Reich, has been on my radar since her 2006 release, Evidence of Life. But despite my best intentions last year, I never got around to writing anything substantial about her work until now. As I talk with Reich about her music, I am relieved to find someone who is optimistic about Santa Fe’s music scene and not terribly interested in finding a record contract at the end of the rainbow.

SFR: Tell me about the moment when music took center stage in your life.

MR: When I moved to Santa Fe from Massachusetts in 1999, or maybe a couple years after that. I finished my first CD [The Color of Blue] here and when I got it back, I started to gig. And then music just became truly important to me, even though my main job was as a massage therapist.

Have you always played music?

When I was a kid I played guitar in private, never in front of people. When I was in my early 30s I started writing songs. Even though I was still afraid to play in public, I still had this desire to sing my songs. Eventually, I started playing open mics in New England.

With the music industry crumbling around us, are you interested in landing a recording contract or is success measured in another way for you?

That’s not my goal. I don’t consider a recording contract as a gauge of success. I’ve had people say in the past that if I wrote differently that I could have a hit song. But that’s not my goal. I just want to play a lot. I like the fact that my last CD, Evidence of Life, is getting airplay and is responded to really well, and that makes me feel great. Evidence was nominated for Best Album for the New Mexico Music Awards. It didn’t win, but it was among other really incredible musicians and that made me feel successful. I never even imagined getting to that point.

Do these kinds of public awards add any kind of validation to your songs or does it change your relationship to their personal meaning?

Not really. For me, a successful song is when I’m being honest in writing it and not being afraid to say certain things. If people recognize it in the form of an award, I think they are acknowledging that honesty. The response is surprising but it doesn’t change anything for me.

You’re a singer-songwriter in a town full of singer-songwriters. Describe your experience as a musician in Santa Fe.

For me, it’s perfect. I’ve heard a lot of musicians complain about it and the lack of venues and things like that. Personally, it’s been really good to me. I like to play at coffeehouses more than bars and restaurants. I’m not a full-time musician, even though it’s my greatest love, and because of that it’s OK.

Music audiences might not be aware that Americana is one of the most sonically complex genres in music. You keep it pretty simple. Is your energy focused on other elements in the music?

I wouldn’t mind having more instrumentation. I don’t really write in a way that’s easy for other musicians to play with me. I like the simplicity, which is really my sound. There’s a real beauty in the simplicity.

Do you think singer-songwriters are still relevant in the music world or are music audiences only interested for the hook and pop melodies?

There’s definitely a place for the singer-songwriter today, without that hook. Some songwriters really do have that hook quality, but it’s not the majority. I actually think there’s a revival of the older singer-songwriter sound, so I wouldn’t give up on it just yet.


© Copyright 2000–2007 by the Santa Fe Reporter

- Santa Fe Reporter

THIS WEEK : CULTURE : Music


Ruckus: Play a Song For Me
By Gabe Gomez

January 2, 2008


Close-knit working musicians who play together and support one another in a variety of band lineups and solo projects are the lifeblood of any local music scene. But traveling bands get all the attention, often at the expense of local talent. One of these locals, singer-songwriter and Americana artist Martha Reich, has been on my radar since her 2006 release, Evidence of Life. But despite my best intentions last year, I never got around to writing anything substantial about her work until now. As I talk with Reich about her music, I am relieved to find someone who is optimistic about Santa Fe’s music scene and not terribly interested in finding a record contract at the end of the rainbow.

SFR: Tell me about the moment when music took center stage in your life.

MR: When I moved to Santa Fe from Massachusetts in 1999, or maybe a couple years after that. I finished my first CD [The Color of Blue] here and when I got it back, I started to gig. And then music just became truly important to me, even though my main job was as a massage therapist.

Have you always played music?

When I was a kid I played guitar in private, never in front of people. When I was in my early 30s I started writing songs. Even though I was still afraid to play in public, I still had this desire to sing my songs. Eventually, I started playing open mics in New England.

With the music industry crumbling around us, are you interested in landing a recording contract or is success measured in another way for you?

That’s not my goal. I don’t consider a recording contract as a gauge of success. I’ve had people say in the past that if I wrote differently that I could have a hit song. But that’s not my goal. I just want to play a lot. I like the fact that my last CD, Evidence of Life, is getting airplay and is responded to really well, and that makes me feel great. Evidence was nominated for Best Album for the New Mexico Music Awards. It didn’t win, but it was among other really incredible musicians and that made me feel successful. I never even imagined getting to that point.

Do these kinds of public awards add any kind of validation to your songs or does it change your relationship to their personal meaning?

Not really. For me, a successful song is when I’m being honest in writing it and not being afraid to say certain things. If people recognize it in the form of an award, I think they are acknowledging that honesty. The response is surprising but it doesn’t change anything for me.

You’re a singer-songwriter in a town full of singer-songwriters. Describe your experience as a musician in Santa Fe.

For me, it’s perfect. I’ve heard a lot of musicians complain about it and the lack of venues and things like that. Personally, it’s been really good to me. I like to play at coffeehouses more than bars and restaurants. I’m not a full-time musician, even though it’s my greatest love, and because of that it’s OK.

Music audiences might not be aware that Americana is one of the most sonically complex genres in music. You keep it pretty simple. Is your energy focused on other elements in the music?

I wouldn’t mind having more instrumentation. I don’t really write in a way that’s easy for other musicians to play with me. I like the simplicity, which is really my sound. There’s a real beauty in the simplicity.

Do you think singer-songwriters are still relevant in the music world or are music audiences only interested for the hook and pop melodies?

There’s definitely a place for the singer-songwriter today, without that hook. Some songwriters really do have that hook quality, but it’s not the majority. I actually think there’s a revival of the older singer-songwriter sound, so I wouldn’t give up on it just yet.


© Copyright 2000–2007 by the Santa Fe Reporter

- Santa Fe Reporter

Martha Reich has a great voice and the lyrics to her songs are personal and intimate. At the end of the CD I was pretty sure I understood her relationship to people, her losses and her cats because she is flat out open and honest. ‘Flesh and Blood’ says “cause I feel the bumps and the divisions, I try to steer clear but I never miss them.” Her vocal style is reminiscent of early Joni Mitchell (going from low to high notes) but I think Martha has made much of the delivery her own. Some lyrics are whispered, which caught my attention and she also will pause between the main part of line so that the significant ending has a note and moment all it’s own. The guitar work is interesting. She makes very tasteful use of her accompanying musicians. “Where do I send this love now that you have gone…” and other sentiments such as ‘Song For Tessa’ –“I won’t give up on miracles” certainly recall those all-too-real, painful but meaningful moments and gaps in our lives. This is a nice CD and just a bit mesmerizing. [J.W. McClure]
- www.Victorymusic.org

Martha Reich has a great voice and the lyrics to her songs are personal and intimate. At the end of the CD I was pretty sure I understood her relationship to people, her losses and her cats because she is flat out open and honest. ‘Flesh and Blood’ says “cause I feel the bumps and the divisions, I try to steer clear but I never miss them.” Her vocal style is reminiscent of early Joni Mitchell (going from low to high notes) but I think Martha has made much of the delivery her own. Some lyrics are whispered, which caught my attention and she also will pause between the main part of line so that the significant ending has a note and moment all it’s own. The guitar work is interesting. She makes very tasteful use of her accompanying musicians. “Where do I send this love now that you have gone…” and other sentiments such as ‘Song For Tessa’ –“I won’t give up on miracles” certainly recall those all-too-real, painful but meaningful moments and gaps in our lives. This is a nice CD and just a bit mesmerizing. [J.W. McClure]
- www.Victorymusic.org

Martha Reich's new CD "Evidence of Life", is a follow up to her critically acclaimed debut album, "The Color of Blue". Michael Kott, Josh Martin and Alicia Ultan lend their respected talents to her new album recorded by Larry Mitchell. ... take in some great tunes.

..... Gabe Gomez - Santa Fe Reporter

"Martha Reich is a profoundly gifted artist in a number of genres that may be thought of as music for personal healing. Whether you listen in a room filled with thousands of people, or alone in the privacy of your home, each song feels as though she's written it just for you--to tell you something important about life. And that's where the healing begins. Her skillful use of unexpected melodies and intimate lyrics from her life, are the heart-codes that remind us of similar moments in ours ". - Gregg Braden, New York Times bestselling author.

"Martha Reich is a profoundly gifted artist in a number of genres that may be thought of as music for personal healing. Whether you listen in a room filled with thousands of people, or alone in the privacy of your home, each song feels as though she's written it just for you--to tell you something important about life. And that's where the healing begins. Her skillful use of unexpected melodies and intimate lyrics from her life, are the heart-codes that remind us of similar moments in ours ". - Gregg Braden, New York Times bestselling author.