Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: As a small child, I was a huge fan of the great divas of the ’90s, and I still am. I love the female rage in the music of that era, combined with its elegance and rawness. It felt empowering, dramatic and rich. To me, that combination is the essence of female power.
Q: Can you describe the musical style of marta poti in three words?
A: Dreamy, Melancholic, Powerful.
Q: You have just released your new EP, ‘Past Futures’. Is there a story behind it?
A: I wrote these songs during a very confusing and transformative year in my life, trying to make sense of the complexities of what I was experiencing. Writing songs became a way for me to explore feelings and questions I couldn’t quite put my finger on at the time. I felt empowered by being able to create something beautiful out of difficult and confusing experiences.
Looking back, my debut EP is a collection of impressions from that period – a tracing of the process of slowly understanding myself through everything I was going through.
Q: What is your favorite track from the EP and why?
A: My favorite song from the EP is the single, Past Futures. I’m very happy with how organically the whole song and arrangement came to me while I was contemplating some of the cruel truths a broken heart can carry. I love the cinematic atmosphere of the song and the minimalism of the arrangement. It feels very simple and honest to me, while the epic synth textures give it another dimension. The music video captures the alienating feeling of a broken heart, and it was a lot of fun to make.
Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the EP, “Past Futures”?
A: I wrote all of the songs on guitar. I spent the most time working on the lyrics and melodies, because that’s where I really try to understand what I want to say. From there, I started creating the arrangements, and at some point my friend, the wonderful musician and composer Michael Warren, stepped in to help with the production. We also re-recorded some parts between his studio in Gdynia, my childhood hometown in Poland, and Berlin, where I live now, so the EP carries a little bit of both places with it.
The artwork was created by one of my favorite illustrators, my childhood friend Zuza Loch. I love how it complements this body of work and adds another layer to the story told through the songs.
Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for marta so far?
A: It’a definitely the release concert of the EP Past Futures in Berlin. I remember feeling very excited before going on stage, but the moment I stood there, I became completely calm. I felt safe, present, and excited to share my music with the audience. It was a very special feeling — like everything suddenly made sense.
Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?
A: If I had to choose one song, I would say Cat Fight is very special to me. It’s a song about the willingness to stay in a real fight with authority, without hiding behind the protective layer of a false hierarchy. In a way, it’s my way of saying: no more kings.
I love that the guitars are groovy and playful, while the message underneath is quite powerful. That contrast makes the song feel very alive to me.
Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into marta poti’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?
A: It usually starts with a feeling of inspiration by something small – a single metaphor, a melodic idea, or an intriguing texture or harmony. It feels like discovering a small, precious secret and it becomes a tiny obsession obsession that sticks in my mind. I like to build a song little by little, starting from that tiny idea and allowing it to grow. Sometimes a song seems to show you where it wants to go by itself, and all you can do is follow it and enjoy the process. I try not to control everything too much. There’s something exciting about leaving space for the unexpected.
Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?
A: I would love to connect with more people, both as an audience and as collaborators. I want to keep creating music that feels honest and meaningful, and to meet people through it. I believe deeply in the healing power of music – in how we can heal each other by performing, responding, listening, and creating something beautiful together. I hope the people who are following my journey will continue to share those moments with me.
I also felt extremely inspired throughout the process of creating the videos — especially by conceptualizing the persona and bringing it to life through performance. I’d love to explore that side of my work more and more, and see where it can take me creatively.
