Born on this day ...

[Ruby]

Martha Davis was born on this day in 1951, in Berkeley, California. She is the lead singer, guitarist and (unbeknown to me, up to now), primary composer for the new wave band The Motels. The first incarnation of The Motels made it fairly big in the early to mid 80’s then faded out after about 6 years; she then made a solo album and went into semi-retirement from the biz but it wouldn’t leave her alone – nor she it. She was asked to write songs for various people/films and she continued to compose, involve herself in theatre work, and eventually create a second Motels, and then a third.

This present line-up has been going for around 14 years and seems quite stable – they released an album last year titled The Last Few Beautiful Days. I listened to it – some songs I liked, others not so much, and for some reason I’m reminded of Edith Piaf, to a degree, and there are similarities to Marianne Faithfull now and then. Somehow it’s still 80’s new wave/pop but it also manages to sound updated, which is a paradox! I liked this one but can’t find it on YouTube - https://open.spotify.com/search/results/...%20at%20Me

Helluva life this lady’s had – married at 15, and by the time she was 19, divorced with 2 kids additionally having lost her mother around that time. More recently, in 2016 her daughter died as a result of an overdose – presumably of prescription medicine as it was the same scenario and same drug as Prince. 

Her thoughts on the musical era we’re in – she says it’s about “… what people want for themselves from the business, instead of wanting to just create and make wonderful music; I think there’s a big emphasis on celebrity and being a star, and living that lifestyle … it shouldn’t be about that …”  She says she has always made music for the simple reason that it makes her happy. 

Although still very actively touring, she lives outside of Portland, Oregon on a farm with a bunch of alpacas and a host of other creatures. She says she loves the funny little sounds alpacas make and wants to record them for backup singers, lol! Having met a few alpacas, I can relate. 

A link to a written interview in case anyone’s interested …
https://crypticrock.com/interview-martha...he-motels/

Another one from the latest album – clip won’t play in my country - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eJ1nfoqpj4

And from way back … the track that I associate with what I know of The Motels, which admittedly, is not a lot! …