Martha Wainwright

Thu 24th Feb, 2011 in Features

Talking to a member of the Wainwright family about music, feels somewhere in the same realm as talking to birds about flying. This brood of freakishly talented Canadians were seemingly born to keep a musical bloodline going as though it were royal title being upheld at all costs. Yet the family’s eldest daughter, Martha Wainwright embodies a performer somewhat less burdened by titles and more intent on getting by on her own steam. Part traveling troubadour and part bluesy mama, Martha and her close-knit band, which includes husband Brad Alberta, are en route to Australia this February, along with a brand new bearer of the famous Wainwright genes. “This tour has changed dramatically since we were last in Australia because we bring baby along now,” Martha beams, “It’s all very un-rock’n’roll, my show!”

Wainwright’s near-annual visits to Australia over the last five years are largely down to a childhood fascination with the place. She happily recalls the thrill of her mother’s return from touring here – as part of the famed McGarrigle Sisters – and the tacky souvenirs only one so young could covet. “I remember when I was little, my mother would bring home these cute koala bears you’d clip on the end of your pencil and these painted boomerangs, which was so exciting for me,” Martha laughs, “I never knew where Australia was, but I think I did draw the conclusion that there was an Asian connection because she would always go to Hong Kong at the same time as Australia. Later on when I was a teenager I traveled around a bit and would meet Australians in Europe or the US, just backpacking and they always seemed to me like they were from this magical faraway land that I’d only known about from my bizarre collection of gifts.”