Martha Da’ro emits you into a sonic world full of intricacy and possibility. The Belgian-Angolan multi-disciplinarian is renowned for her work on screen as an actor, and has also been building an impressive musical discography since her cascading and vibrant debut single “Summer Blues” in 2018 saw her make an immediate impact on the industry.
After teasing a full length with a smattering of singles since, she has finally unveiled her highly anticipated debut full-length body of work, PHILOPHOBIA. Driven by her dazzling vocality, instrumental warmth and interesting song structures, the album is ambitious and meticulously crafted, whilst elusive and otherworldly. The thematic focus features strongly across the album, with Da’ro musing through ideas of love, imperfection and loneliness, touching on broader topics like society and politics in the process.
We had the pleasure to chatting with the rising creative, discussing her journey up to this point, her multi-faceted nature, and the making of her debut album.
Listen to PHILOPHOBIA…
Read the full interview…
Hi Martha! Congrats on your debut LP. Can you tell us a bit about the inspirations and stories behind the tracks?
Thank you! To start, I really just needed to get things out of my system. So, inspiration would be just life in general. And after the LP was done, I saw/heard the silver lining, which was PHILOPHOBIA.
The first track of the LP I made was “Pretty Ugly.” In which I question what’s good and bad, right or wrong. I was giving myself no other option than to accept myself (and others).
Can you walk us through your upbringing? What initially led you to pursue a music career, and which artists or experiences have influenced your musical journey?
I grew up in a small town called Mechelen. It is a tiny town with very creative people. As my friends were making music, I was often with them in the studio until one day; they asked me to join the record and eventually join them in a collective called Soul’art. I think, in general, I was more inspired by artists than by a specific genre. As in, I loved music that sounded genuine and unique by artists who almost created their own genre. Like Amy, Missy, M.I.A, Lily, Kanye, Frank, etc.
How would you describe your musical style and the genre you feel most closely aligned with?
It might sound cliché, but I genuinely have no idea how I’d describe it. Sometimes I use the term diaspop. Because growing up as a first-generation Angolese, at home, we used to listen to kizomba, semba, zouk, kuduro, and gospel. But at the same time, I also grew up with pop, hip-hop, dubstep, and house. So what I create is automatically this mix of different sounds that make me happy.
I also personally don’t think it’s healthy for an artist (me) to think about what genre I’m in. I feel like genres are made to evolve, so just make whatever you feel like making, and time will tell which wave you are navigating.
You mentioned drawing from your experience in cinema and storytelling for PHILOPHOBIA. How did your background contribute to the sonic and visual experience of the album?
I really wanted to create an experience that starts with the intro (“Another Dreamer”) and ends with the epilogue (“Find Your Way”). And that – without losing the musicality- would feel like a short story without images. I also played more with my voice to create different characters/ narrators.
How do you feel your sound and artistic vision have evolved throughout the years, especially with PHILOPHOBIA?
It’s crazy how much it has evolved since my last EP, “Cheap Wine & Paris,” and I think and hope it translates into lyrics and music. I feel like the lyrical and musical storytelling has always been there; the difference was that it was limited to songs. Now, I tried to do it for a full body of work, which is Philophobia. And with time, I learned more about what I don’t like and what I’d like to try more.
As a multidisciplinary artist, how do you balance and integrate your experiences in acting, music, and storytelling to create a cohesive and immersive artistic expression?
For me, the different art disciplines are really tools to express myself. So what I try to do is get better at using those tools and then see what tool(s) work best to express what I have to say.
How do you reflect on 2023?
I think I felt all the emotions you could possibly feel. I can’t remember feeling as excited as I had right before the release. And once I started releasing, I felt so much love, joy, and hope. Even more excitement because I can’t wait for what’s to come. And at the same time, I’m not only an artist, but I’m also just human. And seeing/hearing about what’s happening makes me angry and sad. So, really, all the highs and lows.
And what are you most looking forward to in 2024?
Being on stage and performing PHILOPHOBIA. And to keep using my tools to tell beautiful stories.
As an artist, how do you see your music evolving or expanding in the future?
Same as for 2024.
Are there any new projects or collaborations on the horizon that you’d like to share with us?
I’m working on different things, but I’ll finish them first. You’ll be one of the first to know when it’s ready