“You thought I’d be salty as cheese, sweet as chocolate, smart, sharp as an army knife” ~swiss girl, martine
This is Martine - Sassy, energetic, insightful. Far from the quiet image that we may have of Switzerland, the Seattle-adopted singer-songwriter has been thriving across two continents and 3 cities for the last 15 years. In 2012, Martine is gathering momentum with numerous perfomances of her self produced debut album Swiss Girl – an indie pop reflection of her evolution as a jazz trained artist, who's been nurtured and grown by her travels and the yearnings that come, sometimes, uninvited.
Martine is always on the move and she wants us to come along...
Incomparable and unique, but for Corinne Bailey Rae’s velvety musicality or Adèle’s bewitching soul, Martine invites you to play in a world where the music flirts freely between one feel and another; where lush and crisp melodies are braided with assertive pop and jazz arrangements, creating a surprising and delightful genre of her own. With her irresistible pairing of sophistication and familiarity, Martine reconciles the ups and downs of our existence, leaving you both invigorated and exquisitely moved.
Martine's calling for music came early on in a house where everyone was encouraged to play an instrument. After years of classical violin and choral singing she began to write her own songs which were, surprisingly, influenced by pop music and artists such as Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Janis Joplin and Tom Waits. As her pivotal teenage years passed, she landed her first gig with her guitar/voice duo, Listen2, and went on to successfully play the college music circuit. At age 27, Martine gave in to her passion for music and enrolled in the jazz program in her hometown of Lausanne, Switzerland (EJMA Jazz School). She continued her training in Seattle (Cornish College of the Arts) and Montréal (University of Montreal) where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Music in 2003.
Along with performing in her current hometown of Seattle and Switzerland, Martine teaches vocal technique in Bellevue, WA and is working on a new album project.