Marla Mase

“I couldn’t recommend picking up Speak by Marla Mase more. It’s an eclectic and playful album that speaks to societal concepts while also providing strong anthems for the post-Occupy generation.” - justpressplay.net

Benji Taylor: How has living in New York City (famously depicted in so much literature as a “City of Sin” or a modern-day Babel) informed the themes and lyrics of “Speak”?

Marla Mase: Well, I’m a New Yorker that is true. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and have been living in Manhattan since I’m 18 so it’s just part of me. However, it’s hard for me to see it. To me it’s being a person living in the world that informs my work and in particular in SPEAK. Although I have to say that people who hear my work feel it is very NYC.... I think it’s my accent. - WhatCulture.com

With its spirited refrain of “I wanna shut this shit down,” Mase could easily be using Squirm as a vehicle for her disgust with the economy, government or any number of societal institutions responsible for putting the United States on the brink of collapse. It’s the kind of decisive rabblerousing that Rage Against the Machine awakened in the early ‘90s
Read more at http://whatculture.com/music/marla-mase-speak-deluxe-album-review.php#OTUEReHclzip7h06.99 - WhatCulture.com

Mase’s musical company includes David Byrne, Henry Rollins, and Patti Smith. There is also a liberal dose of the sarcasm of Frank Zappa, which is a welcome addition to the sonic stew. In fact, comparisons to Zappa’s work, particularly Joe’s Garage, are likely and accurate.

The message of her music, impossible to miss, sits atop a melting pot of musical styles that keeps the listener guessing. Under the broader framework of rock, the Tomas Doncker band incorporates elements of funk, reggae, experimental, folk, and world music from across the globe. Intelligent musical choices with an overt rock influence dominate, giving legitimacy to Mase’s mission and affirming that this music is more than a complaint. It would be easy for Mase to slide off the vehicle of artistic complexity she has developed. Instead, she takes the punk ethos that defines her presentation and subject matter and keeps it classy. This is punk for the sophisticate.

All in all, Mase presents a strange face to the world. She espouses a vision of peace you would find at the local co-op but includes all the gritty, uncomfortable truths of living in the messy world of human emotions. It’s an unflinching and realistic artistic statement that is rare in any time or place. - theindieplae.com

Marla Mase is real. Marla Mase is truth. And quite honestly, I think that scares a lot of people. They don’t want to hear the truth or reality because it can often be uncomfortable. When you listen to Marla Mase, you’re going to have to pull your head out of the sand and see and think about things as they really are. Marla’s not afraid to do it, and you shouldn’t be, either. So turn the music up loud, spread it among all your friends, and tell everyone you meet about Marla Mase! - MarsBands.com

“Marla Mase has a style all her own. Her vocals carry a heavy message, accentuated by heavy instrumentals that has a very unique appeal. At first listen, I was instantly captivated by the songs, even though it's not a style that I would traditionally gravitate toward. Marla has a way of telling a story that draws listeners in. I find that her music is strangely alluring and hauntingly beautiful and a must listen for anyone looking for a change of pace from the everyday fodder.”
- GoHotShark.com

“New York singer-songwriter Marla Mase is making music that matters. Her powerful album “SPEAK Deluxe” intelligently and compassionately tackles everything from personal issues like eating disorders and technology obsessions to global concerns like world peace. Crafting songs that combine multiple genres, Mase has created a sound that is completely original and fully intriguing.” - veggiefans.net

Anyone spoken about in the same breath as PJ Harvey and Patti Smith piques my interest and I was not disappointed with this album, released in February of 2013. In SPEAK Deluxe (backed by the Tomas Doncker Band), Marla Mase has combined memorable spoken words and sung lyrics in songs with unusual subject matter and diverse musical influences. Based in New York City, this singer songwriter is bold, brave, witty and true, often looking in dark corners where others don’t dare to look. - The Daily Opinion

" “SPEAK...is somewhat hard to explain as it in ways parallels the work of Bob Dylan, The Doors, and Jefferson Airplane.....[Mase] in a sense could be looked at as a modern Bob Dylan..." - Coxillah.com

"[Speak Deluxe] opens with “Scream (reprise),” a song sung in a Patti Smith like punk manner, over an African influenced percussion rhythm, and Mr. Dockner’s reverb filled guitar riffs and soaring punctuating solos. “Piece of Peace” follows, and kicks the chugging rock factor up a notch, with lyrics that look to the common things we all look for in this life: education, housing, food, etc. etc., questions “what’s stopping us,” and pleads for a “piece of peace,” with such a longing that it could be the voice of any oppressed person; it is impassioned to say the least. " - wordkrapht.com

Marla Mase knows how to write a song that makes listeners think-and dance. - AskMissa.com

Ryan Sprague speaks with renaissance woman, Marla Mase. We learn about the amazing journey this musician, writer, and performer has been on around the world, the array of musicians she has toured with, and we get an in-depth look at her performance piece based on her album, Speak. - - altrocklive.com

or a lot of us, summer vacation has officially ended and it can be hard to get out of the blissful solstice slump that vacationing and excessive sunlight can put us in. If you need some extra motivation to get your butt in gear, though, all you really need to do is take a look at Marla Mase’s resume and you’ll be feeling like a waster in no time.

Mase is a DIY writer, singer, producer, playwright, performer, and event planner from New York City who travels the world to appease her global fanbase – basically, kind of a superhero. After coming off a successful tour in China last year, Mase released a deluxe album of the already-awesome Speak. Speak (Deluxe) has 6 extra songs not found on the original and gives the album an even bigger kick than it had to begin with.

It’s clear from the get-go that Mase is not interested in making vapid hits – she’s got a lot to say, and she’s going to take 15 songs to say it. Her brazen honesty is refreshing – on “Piece of Peace,” inspired by Global Peace Day, Mase disregards the previous formulas of peace anthems (i.e. dreamy guitars and yearning vocals). Instead, she decides to rock the hell out and get angry, preferring to generously offer a middle finger to oppressors instead of the peace sign.

Given her spoken word background, there is a sense of both spontaneity and organic development in all her songs. The brilliantly moody “Open Up My Heart” employs Mase’s knack for well-done spoken word, with random style changes contrasting against the steady melodies in the background.

The album is also noteworthy for the ease in which it switches genres, although Mase’s witty lyrics remain a constant. Mase gets her feline aggression on in “Lioness,” muses about the immortality of cell phone numbers against a great alt rock beat in “New Cell Phone,” and sweetly makes a declaration about how love needs to die a slow death in the aptly titled “Kill Love.” From the reggae rays of “AnnaRexia” to the 80s-rock sound of “Queen of Imperfection,” it’s safe to say that Speak (Deluxe) has something for everyone.

Hot off the heels of performing at Summerstage, Mase is also slated to make an appearance on September 9 at the launch of Tomas Doncker’s True Groove record label that will feature a multi-CD release of 4 artists on the label. Proceeds from True Groove merchandise sales will go toward Studio Samuel Foundation’s 1Hundred Girls initiative, working towards helping young women in Ethiopia.

To stream and/or purchase Marla Mase’s Speak (Deluxe), click here.

For more information on the True Groove celebration and to purchase tickets for the event, click here.
- timessquare.com

This disk is full of passion. Mase's vocals are gritty, harsh, and rough around the edges, and then suddenly airy and soft. The music is hard rock, punk, world, reggae, you name it, and it all blends together to dive home her message of peace in such an authentic and genuine way. Unlike many others who attempt to switch from different styles/genres and blend them all together, Mase very convincingly embraces each different style/genre, which is very rewarding to listen to.

The band is equally adept in each different style/genre, and change styles and feels from track to track with ease. SPEAK Deluxe is a solid album all the way through, full of great music and a powerful message of peace throughout. - musettastone.com

[Marla Mase's] punk/rock n roll, soul inspired music and style remind me of a cross between Patti Smith and Chrissy Hynde with some Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell fused in there. I truly love her music and when I listen, I can’t help but get inspired, empowered and just feel harmony in my life. I hope you get a chance to listen to her. - musicjunkiepress.com

"New York City singer/songwriter Marla Mase is a true multi-dimensional artist whose heart and soul is all over her beautiful, rather eclectic second album, Speak....[It] goes down as hands down one of the most unique releases of the year." - themusicuniverse.com

"Marla Mase is leading a reggae/jazz social movement via music compilation. While it’s definitely not something you want to listen to lightheartedly, she manages to create whimsical tunes on heavy subjects. A strong female looking to empower those around her, she borders on slam-poet at times. Her songs cover female societal issues ranging from body image to sexual freedom. But she wouldn’t classify herself as an activist. She’s got the on-again, off-again vocals of The Moldy Peaches and the message of Bob Marley. " - bandbombshell.com

So many of us (well me) stop ourselves from doing stuff because we're afraid we're not good enough so instead we do nothing. FEAR FEAR FEAR and Queen of Imperfection is a call to Push Fear Aside and Say NO, this is who I am, people. What you see is what you get and I am not going to hide or go anywhere. I'm going to stand right here. So Take a look! - antimusic.com

It’s fair to say the entirety of this album faces up to the issues often ignored, but the message beneath the funk-filled, reggae tune of AnnARexia is one of the most important songs I’ve ever laid my ears to.....There’s no one way to describe this passionate, and energetic album that says ‘screw you’ to the stereotypes of genres, so I guess you’ll just have to check her out to find out how amazing Marla Mase and her Speak Deluxe really is. - indiemunity.com

The spoken word poetry in “Lioness” is a fierce standout of powerful lyricism; she’s both sexy and strong as she talks about her “hunger” and, um, climaxes with several roars. - mysocialist.com

Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City. Marla is known for her provocative, raw performance style and intelligent lyrics. Her music ranges from rock n’ roll to experimental spoken word, funk and punk rock. She is backed by the Tomás Doncker Band. When touring in China, Marla was invited by Friends of the UN to perform for UN GLOBAL PEACE DAY in Linzhou City, where she was given an honorary “Messenger of Peace” award for her visionary work as a songwriter and performing artist. The Huffington Post featured her in 2013, saying “her feisty message of peace and perhaps wake up the beast in all of us.” - IndieMirror.com

It's very clear how passionate Mase is about her music, all while spreading messages of love and peace. She has this way of making you feel every lyric and note she's singing. Whenever you find an artist who can connect to his or her listeners the way Mase does, it's a very special thing. She's toured in places like China and Europe, and just recently took on the hugely popular music festival, NYC Summerstage. There she performed The Speak Show, a multi-media concert experience. There's definitely no stopping Mase anytime soon. - popcitylifemusic.com

With her raw, punch-to-the-gut, spoken-word approach to performing, Marla Mase seems like 2013’s answer to the great Patti Smith. Like Smith, she is a New York-based writer, singer, and performer whose primal poetic fury has already proven to be globally influential. On her 2013 album Speak Deluxe, a re-release of 2011’s Speak featuring six new tracks, Mase experiments with elements of rock, punk, funk, and reggae in order to tackle the issues ravaging society today. Songs like the guitar-heavy “Piece of Peace,” debuted at the United Nations Global Peace Day 2012, and the ironically upbeat, reggae-rock anthem “AnnaRexia,” written for Mase’s “Love Your Ass” campaign, display the singer’s rebellious refusal to meet both musical and societal expectations.

Accompanied by guitarist Tomás Doncker and his band, Mase is set to present “SPEAK,” a multimedia concert and performance piece incorporating live music, spoken word, dance and visual imagery at this weekend’s NYC SummerStage 2013. For the sake of the show’s energy, I sincerely hope it pours, as fans of Mase are more likely to be those who would dance in the mud than be sticks in it. - obscuresound.com

The genres covered throughout the course of [SPEAK DELUXE) take one on a journey across both a musical and physical map....This brings me to arguably the best song on the album, "Piece of Peace" [with] its guitar driven plea for peace.....Mase never makes her presence lost as her fingerprints run all over this album. Whether it conjures up Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Fleetwood Mac or any of the other comparisons it may cause you to make, by the time you get to the next song, you will need a whole new comparison. - indecentxposure.com

When Marla ...[performed] “Lioness” and “Things That Scare Me” (which plays off a “Colored Spade” type litany to immense effect) bared at her magnificence with the taut body and mane of hair, the glint in her eye, and the provocative closeness, she electrified; the possibility of her jumping the barrier between art and rock and back is clear. - Rocknycliveandrecorded

When Marla ...[performed] “Lioness” and “Things That Scare Me” (which plays off a “Colored Spade” type litany to immense effect) bared at her magnificence with the taut body and mane of hair, the glint in her eye, and the provocative closeness, she electrified; the possibility of her jumping the barrier between art and rock and back is clear. - Rocknycliveandrecorded

"Mase, a rising star and buzzed-about new figure within New York’s underground rock ‘n’ roll scene, isn’t the kind of female artist we’ve gotten used to hearing in the post-millennial music circuit. In an age where two of the biggest stars on the planet are female artists who take inspiration from classic singer/songwriter traditions (Taylor Swift, who borrows from ‘70s folk and pop, and Adele, who adds her soul and R&B records into the equation), Mase goes unapologetically in the other direction....her songs are dark, atmospheric, and gritty, and almost primal or elemental in execution. The songs on Speak are led by a voice that is harsh and rough around the edges, ornamented with loud guitars, and littered with shades of punk rock history. " - absolutepunk.net

Mase’s songwriting often strongly resembles that of Patti Smith’s insomuch as that the same thing often said of Smith’s poetry can be said of Mase’s: If you were to write it out and read it, it wouldn’t nearly have the same guttural impact as it does when you hear it performed. Admittedly, there is one major difference. Patti Smith preferred to keep her meanings hidden behind esoteric discourses with references of Rimbaud, while Marla Mase often keeps her message fairly close to the surface, albeit intellectually. Neither style is necessarily better than the other, they’re just different, but the level of emotive content contained within each is, well, barely containable. No matter the song, or message behind said song, Mase contains such a convincing believability within each moment of her vocals, it’s impossible to not be impressed. - bigtakeover.com

Be it good or bad, there are many musicians and/or recording artists that can be identified as soon as the proverbial (or actual) needle hits the record. When you take in all of Marla’s published music, you begin to notice that there really isn’t a particular sonic print that can be resolved to her. If you ask her to describe her sound identity, if you will, she’ll tell reference a description from her friend Patricia gave her after listening to “A Brief Night Out”: ‘Psychotic’. Marla thought that was quite funny.

“I write songs as they come to me and they come to me in many different genres. Then Tomás takes them and adds his signature Global Soul Sound – the genres may change drastically but the Groove is always there. So I would have to say that the best description for a typical Marla Mase record is that it is very Mase.”

- abveez.com

A veteran of the scene, New York based songwriter Marla Mase has been added to the bill of the annual local performance arts festival, Central Park Summerstage 2013. Other artists performing at this outdoor NYC series comprise music legends like The Zombies, Dead Prez and Rakim. She has recently received acclaim for her performance art concert experience entitled “Speak” (you can stream the entire record here), which combines dance choreography with the songs from her 2013 release, “Speak Deluxe”. Mase’s latest album is a compilation of songs that examine the oppression of women, while the live show features seven dancers who act out the series of the her musical vignettes. - delimagazine.com

"The CD "Speak Deluxe" found Marla touring both China and Europe, being honored by Friends of the UN, and receiving top reviews from publications such as The Huffington Post, who said "her feisty message of peace will perhaps wake up the beast in all of us"." - gratefulweb.com

"No nonsense straight from the start of “Speak Deluxe” we’re introduced to AnnaRexia, a heavy look at anorexia with not too subtle reggae backing tones, which bring the listener into her words. Songs like “Dance the Tango”, and “Squirm” bring out a little shoegaze punk, while elsewhere throughout the disc you are able to pick up the influential rock goddesses of Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, and The Cranberries."
- abortmag.com

"SPEAK DELUXE by Marla Mase and backed by the Tomás Doncker Band is a truly original, contrasting, and refreshing album to listen to....If you are a fan of Indie Music, Punk, Funk, 60's, 80's, Reggae or Rock, there is something here for you. The album is so deep and meaningful I could really write at length about each song in its own right but don't take my word for it, check it out for your selves!." - justrelaxmagazine.co.uk

New York rock/punk/crossover artist Marla Mase has confirmed that she and guitarist Tomas Doncker will be bringing her “Speak” show to Summerstage 2013, joining a lineup that includes The Zombies, Django Django, Dead Prez, Lianne la Havas and Rakim. - buzzfeed.com

Under the Gun Review is thrilled to bring you this exclusive interview with New York City’s multi-talented Marla Mase!

Marla is endlessly busy in her impressive flood of creative enterprises but she managed to take the time to speak with us candidly and in detail about her extensive medium-melding career, her newest album, and even a little about sex. So read through and get familiar with a genuine artist and human being, Marla Mase. - UnderTheGunReview.net

“Speak” is a multi-media concert and dance piece inspired by the songs of artist Marla Mase’s acclaimed album, Speak Deluxe. Combining live music, spoken word, dance and visual imagery, choreographer Adrienne Hurd melds contemporary and modern dance forms in this one of a kind show. Through Hurd’s powerful portrayal of a woman’s confinement, sexuality, body image, trauma, oppression and freedom, she celebrates the raw reality of the human condition as expressed through the eyes, bodies, and voices of women. Through the expressive movements of a troupe of seven dancers, each of whom has a distinct voice and tale in the mini-stories, the dancers will explore the archetypes that make up the idea of what it means to be a modern woman.

The music, co-written by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker is an integral part of “Speak” and features elements of Rock-n-Roll with World Beat, Punk, Funk, Electronica, Reggae and Soul and will be performed live at each performance with both Mase and The Tomás Doncker Band. - cityparksfoundation.org

Ms. Mase all but sprang full-grown from the head of Zeus with her frighteningly brilliant debut, A Brief Night Out. [N.B. The opening track, "Things That Scare Me," is among the greatest opening tracks of any debut rock album.] Not content to start her recording career with a simple album of original songs, A Brief Night Out is a concept album, a mini-"rock opera" about a woman having a midlife crisis. And Ms. Mase has performed this one-hour (45 minutes on CD) rock opera both with her extraordinary collaborating band and a cappella. In that show, and its music and lyrics, she combines the raw emotion of Patti Smith, the spoken-song brilliance of Lou Reed, the musical eclecticism of Frank Zappa, and the fearless performance style of Iggy Pop. Indeed, Ms. Mase not only channels these and other influences beautifully, I would suggest that she could claim to be a legitimate heir to the mantles of all of these legends. Small wonder that I find myself nearly unequal to the task of reviewing her sophomore album -- which, while not a concept album, has nevertheless been turned into a performance piece that Ms. Mase will be performing this summer, including at New York City's Summerstage. - culturecatch.com

This is one of those rare albums that truly defy categorisation, ignoring the limitations of genre and playing by its own rules - thegirlsare.com

“Speak (reprise)” introduces Marla Mase as just as much shaman woman as artist, activist as musician. Between the prog rock guitars, the frantic percussion, and Mase’s chants, grunts and screams, it’s enough to trigger goosebumps in even the most resistant music listener. - musicperk.com

f you are in Europe next week take advantage of the situation and catch True Groove Global Soul Recording Artist Marla Mase on tour. Every time we check in on True Groove Record Label they are doing something else, whether is is Doncker opening for Ethiopian pop stars or trips to China or Mase's extended version of her album Speak or anthem single "Piece Of Peace", they are relentless in their pursuit of musical excellence. - Rocknycliveandrecorded

“Open Up My Heart” is probably my favorite track on the album as the haunting instruments combined with the dark lyrics create that particular atmosphere that send goose bumps running down my spine. - LithiumMagazine.com

Marla Mase’s style of mixing poetry with music & sounds is what sets her apart from others in music industry. She sets the mood with a beat, and gives us a vivid image of the scene by painting a picture with her words. Listen to “Open Up My Heart” below and see what I mean. - humanfankind.com

The most awesome thing about music are the lyrics. The words that songs speak can change our lives, even being so simple. Performer, singer and songwriter Marla Mase writes music with the intention to change the way we think, and the way we view ourselves and others. Her new album Speak Deluxe is more than just six new tracks to follow up with her first album, Speak. It’s a movement. - WhyBlueMatters.com

Marla Mase is truly a force to be reckoned with. The Renaissance woman has her hands in just about every cookie jar in the art world – singing, performing, spoken word, short stories, plays, monologues, and even erotica, because why not. With a strong fanbase all over the world, Mase has even carved a name for herself in the event planning world as the founder of PARTYpoopers and partySWANK, party planning companies for children and adults, respectively. Even with all these plates on her table, Mase still finds time to create mind-blowingly unique music that separates her from the sometimes homophonous indie/DIY music scene. - RockandROllReport.com

“Marla Mase is a wanted woman. This multi-hyphenate force has spread her message and music worldwide…..Mase is no cookie cutter artist and her work is hard to pigeonhole. To experience Marla Mase is to experience the human condition – raw, real, and reactant.” – read more Triston, CelebrityVIPLounge.com (Feb. 22, 2013) - CelebrityVIPLounge.com

” Confidently tramping through the combat boot worn path blazed by artists like Patti Smith and Karen Finley, New York based, envelope pushing artist Marla Mase’s [Speak Deluxe] is a hardcore romp through the ins and outs of life as an artist, mother, woman ……The record reaches it’s pinnacle on the punk infused “Squirm” in which Mase proclaims her desire to “shut the shit down” and “squirm like a worm” in the underground. Spoken like a true New York City poet – defiantly independent and unwilling to give a shit what anyone else thinks. Highly recommended if you have the heart.” — read more Jack, 8th-circuit.com (March 3, 2013) - 8-thcircuit.com

Mase is a truly inspiring feminist voice for her generation, and “Speak Deluxe” offers a richly emotional experience with equal positivity and darkness. She is fantastic at honestly exploring and expressing the reality of our human condition, particularly for women in today’s changing world. - LimerenceMag.com

What makes Speak experimental is the vocal style of the head lady more than anything. Many of her songs portray the native New Yorker as a philanthropic campaigner for many causes but predominantly the imperfections of humanity. - Music-news.com

Marla Mase, the New York City native that’s been called the “Female Jim Morrison” may find her style is often compared to other musicians, but when it comes to her music, there’s a description that’s all her own.
“Mase, very Mase.” - Penseyeviewnew.com

Through music, Marla Mase not only entertains the public, but brings awareness to the human condition, and works fervently as a writer/producer/performer/singer that granted her the title of a visionary artist.

Because of her dedication through words and music, she was invited by the Friends of the UN to perform for UN Global Peace Day in Lanzhou City, China. Her melodious songs bring inspiration of peace, hope, and enlightenment.

The New York City-based artist is backed by the Tomas Doncker Band that includes Tomas Doncker (guitar), Josh David (bass), James Dellatacoma (guitar/vocals), Damon Duewhite (drums), Alan Grubner (violin), Heather Powell (backup vocals), Manu Koch (keyboards), and Daniel Sadownick (percussion). They are mastering their music and actively involved in projects and campaigns bringing awareness to various issues that affect people worldwide. Mase’s new album, SPEAK does just that: enlightens, informs, and entertains simultaneously. - razmatazmag.com

Being based in the New York City area, we love discovering new local talent. That's exactly what we found when we stumbled upon Marla Mase. Her music has been described as a mix of rock, punk, spoken word and reggae. Some have even compared her to the likes of Patti Smith, David Byrne, Frank Zappa and Jim Morrison. Heads up Pop City Life readers, this is one artist to keep an eye out for. - popcitylife.com

Marla Mase's self-portrait on the front cover of her new album Speak Deluxe actually does speak volumes about what she sings. The animalized photograph of her face verifies that Marla is peeved-off about something, or maybe everything. She doesn't want mankind to cry craven, but to look at hunger in the eye and feed it. The intrepid and raw realities of her lyrics echo the need to break away and address the world with a "ROAR!" - HuffingtonPost.com

When last heard from, the wonderful singer songwriter was somewhere in China celebrating a UN For Peace date and playing a song she had composed barely a week early, "Piece For Peace". A wonderful piece of agit-rock with Tomas Doncker's band playing a full bloodied assault behind her. far from peaceful but filled with the spirit of hope and maybe antagonism.

A month later and Marla is taking herself back on the road but closer to home, for a four night tour of New England, in support of the Deluxe version of last years Speak. The album is a thing of beauty, where the structure of rock and roll and the scripture of art meet in the world. As likely to rock as it is to delve into spoken word, it has elements of Patti Smith as we haven't heard in a long, long time. Listen to "Scream" for a lesson in thought and action. And has anyone ever got more out of two words, "Divine" and "restlesness" before?

Here are the dates for the Mase tour, well worth the effort so make it out there make sure you do: - Rock NYC

Marla Mase is to be joined by Tomás Doncker and several members of the Global Soul family on a trip to China, leaving tomorrow for a week, culminating in a performance in Linzhou, China for UN GLOBAL PEACE DAY on September 21. Tomas has said he will try to write something about the trip for rock nyc. But until then, Marla Mase, True Groove recording artist and a terrific rock and blues singer who can scream with the best of them, has recorded a new song with Tomas and the Global family, working a simple as hell play on words "Give me a piece of peace" into a powerful call for world harmony.

But, oddly enough, it isn't a peaceful song, perhaps because her request for peace has not been answered. Instead the band pound a hard rock riff into the floor and Marla is all over it.. The highlight is a brilliant guitar solo which is placed there as a bridge but pulls the song into another direction. Marla's audience, 24,000 people, was obviously on her mind, this song isn't written to be spoken through by a large audience. This is written to grab em and keep em and it does, it will.

So what exactly are our friends going to China for? I will quote the press release rather than rewriting it:

"Description of event in Linzhou
Sept. 18-22 – First World Peace Art Exhibition in Linzhou, Henan Province, China
For the International Day of Peace, the China International Culture and Artistic Center (CISAC) and the China National Academy of Painting with support from Friends of UN, China, and the UN Performing Arts Council, are jointly holding a series of activities and forums about art and peace from the 18th to the 22nd day of September, 2012 at Linzhou, Henan Province, China. This event shall build an open and interactive environment for the gathering of worldwide artists to exploit the internal connection between art and peace, to promote a sustainable future of art and peace, to lead the awareness of cultural and industrial innovation, and to stimulate the creative spark of artistic talent"

And about the recording of "Piece Of Peace". Marla wrote the following: "As part of our participation I've written a song for this event – 'Piece of Peace' – which was recorded at Orange Studios this week and co-produced with Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma. The song will be debuted live at The GLOBAL PEACE DAY EVENT in China and broadcast throughout the country" - Rock NYC

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

My toughest moments were all the years I spent NOT doing what I knew I wanted to be doing, what I was ‘called’ to do. This also includes my writing and performing by the way — but I spent so many years hiding, letting fear take over, thinking that things had to be a certain way before I could get out there, do something and it’s just not true. It literally took a breakdown to cause me to break-through and just do it. Fear or not, perfect or not, I knew it was life or death. Literally. Once I opened the door to action and putting the negative voices aside (or at least not letting them rule my life) it’s been quite a thrill even with all the frustrations that comes with being in this business. - GoGirlsMusic.com

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

My toughest moments were all the years I spent NOT doing what I knew I wanted to be doing, what I was ‘called’ to do. This also includes my writing and performing by the way — but I spent so many years hiding, letting fear take over, thinking that things had to be a certain way before I could get out there, do something and it’s just not true. It literally took a breakdown to cause me to break-through and just do it. Fear or not, perfect or not, I knew it was life or death. Literally. Once I opened the door to action and putting the negative voices aside (or at least not letting them rule my life) it’s been quite a thrill even with all the frustrations that comes with being in this business. - GoGirlsMusic.com

The crowd was then treated to Brooklynite performance art lioness Marla Mase growling over two guitarists (like Funk and Fripp) and drum tracks--a frenetic action show that channeled Patti Smith as she crooned “I changed my cell phone number--it’s a big deal now, you know?” - thevalleybeat.com

Since the beginning of the music industry, it’s been easy to see that there are at least two kinds of artists, and the main difference lies somewhere in the metaphysical realm of intention. Some artists have truly great ideas that resonate with others because they speak their truth. Others write music specifically to sell, and they’ll do anything to do so – including ignoring their hearts and spewing who-knows-what into the world.

New York rock poet Marla Mase falls squarely into the former category. Why waste precious life not being open and honest with the other souls who share your world? She expresses and says what she wants in free flow poetic form, much like the great Patti Smith, and she does so with a fearless ease. Currently working on her 3rd CD “Personal Affairs”, Marla discussed her music, her inspirations, and of course, “divine restlessness.”

Marla, I have to say, I admire your approach to your work. There don’t seem to be many musicians losing themselves in poetry or performance art out there today. What were the catalysts for you personally that led you to the “nothing out of bounds” approach to your art? Most artists are afraid to put themselves out there so fully.

Thanks James. I don’t even think about it actually. It’s just who I am, sort of ‘balls to the wall’ I guess – and if I’m going to give it away I’m going to give it away. Or perhaps there’s a bit of, “well now’s my chance, to say how I feel, express what’s inside of me and I want to be as truthful as I can. I want YOU (whoever that may be) to know. I want you to really know who I am and I don’t want to be half-assed about it. (like I may never have this opportunity again so I better give it my ALL.) I’ve been told I’m very passionate. (I wrote my Master’s Thesis on Passion in 2003 and it seems since that time I just can’t shake the passion thing.) As a child and even way into adulthood I felt kind of silenced at times, not by others, but by myself, by unspoken rules of how to be, you know the ol’ proverbial ‘children should be seen and not heard’ and inside I was dying for people to know me, for me to know me and me to know them — like people really have no idea who I am, what I’m about, and for that matter no one knows who anyone is or what anyone is about and that bothers me. I want IT, the truth, the core to be exposed and known. I want Intimacy, I crave true connection.

It’s fitting that you have a song called “Divine Restlessness” because I think that term could very well describe your work. It’s as if you’re discarding perceptual barriers that the public typically puts on communication.

You’ve got the itch, so to speak. There are certain themes that are pervasive in my work-one of them is ‘on being an artist’ – it took years for me to understand and accept that that’s who I am and was the cause of my apparent ‘restlessness’ – and I do feel/know that it comes from outside of myself—but truth is it is very hard for me to relax and settle in – especially when my kids were little and I ran a business and then at night when I ‘should have been’ free I still felt like I had something I needed to do. And now I know. It’s like I’ve been given a job, a task, I can choose to do it or not, that’s up to me, but the task is there, the injunction is there and so too the urge (to write, to SPEAK, to take what’s been given to me and communicate it.) It may sound high-fallutin, it felt like it was even to me for many years, like I was making it up, but I wasn’t —eventually I just surrendered. I still can’t settle in and relax (unless I’m in the sun on the beach), I’ve been given a job to do, so I do it – I wrote a poem once about my grudgingly taking my place in the line of ‘sentries’ and I have a short solo piece called ‘Big Bang Theory’ (way before the TV show existed) which addresses this as well. It’s like, “OK I’ll do it. I don’t know what that IT is, but I’ll do it because I’ve been summoned.”

- Skope Magazine

Name: Marla Mase
Country: USA (New York City)

Who were your musical influences whilst growing up?

I loved Pete Townsend’s writing (lyrics)--so a Who Fan but more of a Pete fan; as a kid I was into pop and as a tween/teen until I was 16 I was a DISCO GIRL (a la Saturday Night Fever-that stuff you see in the movies is REAL—I loved Taste of Honey Boogie Oogie Oogie; Galaxy by War; Risky Changes was my song—don’t even know who wrote it...) I always liked Funk (Play That Funky Music—Wild Cherry; Parliament; KC/Sunshine Band, James Brown) but for writing yes The Who, of course THE BEATLES (I sat with that Love Song Compilation many a day); less Stones (although now I LOVE the Stones); Queen (I remember the first time my brother brought their album home with Bohemian Rhapsody, instant love); Talking Heads (esp Once in a Lifetime), B-52’s; very young I liked Elton John --- and I like certain musicals as well (WEST SIDE STORY was very important in my young life; OLIVER (I sang Where is Love in a talent show when I was 5 or 6; and yes THE SOUND OF MUSIC — inside I’m a cornball to the core. Highly Romantic.)

Who did you inspire to be like?

Hmmmm, that’s tough. I don’t have mentors or people I want to be like — the only thing I did say for many many years until I started doing music (only 4 yrs ago) -- “what I really should be is a rocker, but I’m not a musician and I don’t sing so next life. But really I’m the female Jim Morrison.” As a general rule I like artists (musicians/writers/sculptors) who pour their hearts/soul out in their work. Where I can viscerally feel IT – then I know it is coming from a REAL PLACE -- so for example I’m not a huge Springsteen fan but I like him (will always love BORN TO RUN), he’s real, Eminem, Franz Kafka, Rodin, I remember going to the Rodin Museum in Paris and literally falling in love — his work is coming from such a deep place of truth, I felt like I knew everything about the man and I didn’t want to leave – Virginia Woolf, another one, every word filled with grace and beauty -- it fills my body and assuages my unrest. (even though what she writes about is far from calm, it doesn’t matter, the rhythm of her words are.) There are many other artists I respect so different from me and I know I could never DO what they do but the ones I mentioned I feel we share something – that we come from a similar place.








What was your favourite subject at school?
English Literature

What was the first record you ever bought.. do you remember?

Another hmmmm, I think it might have been this song called ‘Shannon’ (‘Shannon is gone I heard’ probably because it was sad and about a dog-I was an animal lover as a child, wanted to be Dr. Doolittle or it may have been ‘Saturday Night’ by the Bay City Rollers.)

When did you make your first appearance on stage?

When I was very young- it may have been that talent show at the beach club I belonged to where I sang ‘Where is Love?” at 5 yrs old. After that I did a camp show where I sang ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, a 5th grade play ‘The Money Tree’ where I actually played the comic character and then it wasn’t until way later — I took my first acting class when I was 26 and I was hooked. I was incredibly shy as a kid so I held back a lot especially doing anything in public. Although I did run for office in 6th grade and became the school Vice-President — one of my campaign slogans was ‘Touch Every Base with Marla Mase’ (thanks Mom — who didn’t realize what the implications of that were ) - but I WON!

How would you describe your style of music to someone who had never heard of Marla Mase

Psychotic (hah — that’s what one of my friends called it when she first heard A Brief Night Out—because of all the genres.) But seriously, I’d say it’s rock-n-roll with a mix of everything else, funk, world, pop, punk, spoken word —because in reality rock-n-roll is only a piece of what I do -but yet I’m seen as a ROCKER, that - CoralRoseRadio.com

Name: Marla Mase
Country: USA (New York City)

Who were your musical influences whilst growing up?

I loved Pete Townsend’s writing (lyrics)--so a Who Fan but more of a Pete fan; as a kid I was into pop and as a tween/teen until I was 16 I was a DISCO GIRL (a la Saturday Night Fever-that stuff you see in the movies is REAL—I loved Taste of Honey Boogie Oogie Oogie; Galaxy by War; Risky Changes was my song—don’t even know who wrote it...) I always liked Funk (Play That Funky Music—Wild Cherry; Parliament; KC/Sunshine Band, James Brown) but for writing yes The Who, of course THE BEATLES (I sat with that Love Song Compilation many a day); less Stones (although now I LOVE the Stones); Queen (I remember the first time my brother brought their album home with Bohemian Rhapsody, instant love); Talking Heads (esp Once in a Lifetime), B-52’s; very young I liked Elton John --- and I like certain musicals as well (WEST SIDE STORY was very important in my young life; OLIVER (I sang Where is Love in a talent show when I was 5 or 6; and yes THE SOUND OF MUSIC — inside I’m a cornball to the core. Highly Romantic.)

Who did you inspire to be like?

Hmmmm, that’s tough. I don’t have mentors or people I want to be like — the only thing I did say for many many years until I started doing music (only 4 yrs ago) -- “what I really should be is a rocker, but I’m not a musician and I don’t sing so next life. But really I’m the female Jim Morrison.” As a general rule I like artists (musicians/writers/sculptors) who pour their hearts/soul out in their work. Where I can viscerally feel IT – then I know it is coming from a REAL PLACE -- so for example I’m not a huge Springsteen fan but I like him (will always love BORN TO RUN), he’s real, Eminem, Franz Kafka, Rodin, I remember going to the Rodin Museum in Paris and literally falling in love — his work is coming from such a deep place of truth, I felt like I knew everything about the man and I didn’t want to leave – Virginia Woolf, another one, every word filled with grace and beauty -- it fills my body and assuages my unrest. (even though what she writes about is far from calm, it doesn’t matter, the rhythm of her words are.) There are many other artists I respect so different from me and I know I could never DO what they do but the ones I mentioned I feel we share something – that we come from a similar place.








What was your favourite subject at school?
English Literature

What was the first record you ever bought.. do you remember?

Another hmmmm, I think it might have been this song called ‘Shannon’ (‘Shannon is gone I heard’ probably because it was sad and about a dog-I was an animal lover as a child, wanted to be Dr. Doolittle or it may have been ‘Saturday Night’ by the Bay City Rollers.)

When did you make your first appearance on stage?

When I was very young- it may have been that talent show at the beach club I belonged to where I sang ‘Where is Love?” at 5 yrs old. After that I did a camp show where I sang ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, a 5th grade play ‘The Money Tree’ where I actually played the comic character and then it wasn’t until way later — I took my first acting class when I was 26 and I was hooked. I was incredibly shy as a kid so I held back a lot especially doing anything in public. Although I did run for office in 6th grade and became the school Vice-President — one of my campaign slogans was ‘Touch Every Base with Marla Mase’ (thanks Mom — who didn’t realize what the implications of that were ) - but I WON!

How would you describe your style of music to someone who had never heard of Marla Mase

Psychotic (hah — that’s what one of my friends called it when she first heard A Brief Night Out—because of all the genres.) But seriously, I’d say it’s rock-n-roll with a mix of everything else, funk, world, pop, punk, spoken word —because in reality rock-n-roll is only a piece of what I do -but yet I’m seen as a ROCKER, that - CoralRoseRadio.com

Marla Mase is a name that resonates with almost everyone who has come in contact with her creativity. Her fans who have experienced her live performances and recorded music, refer to her as The Goddess. Her talents travel every avenue of creativity; she is a writer of poems, songs, shows, and erotica, most of all she is a confident and brave performer, effortlessly fusing the genres of rock, punk, spoken word and soul, creating a genre of her own.

Marla shook up the music and theatre world with her 2010 Rock Opera release A Brief Night Out, a raw, honest and inventive journey through one woman’s midlife awakening, Marla was at once hailed as a new hope and direction for music.

Marla’s second album SPEAK enters this arena; facing of the high hopes of her legions of followers who see her as their Goddess, she does not let them down. The album slips smoothly into gear with the electrifying opening track ‘Lioness’, the power of her spoken word evokes a story of the most primal of women. ‘Divine Restlessness’, a quiet breathy track brings a softness to the album as Marla weaves gentle vocals along side the musical accompaniment by The Tomás Doncker Band. It becomes clear by the fifth track on the album ‘Queen of Imperfection’; a loud and passionate song that Marla is presenting art for others to view rather creating mood music that could simply play in the background ; it demands to be heard. The most interesting track on the album ‘New Cell Phone’ sees Marla delve fully into the world of spoken word, exploring the experience of change. She narrates her story with controlled excitement, her poetic ability creating new and interesting visual images in the mind of the listener. It is within this song that she shows her greatest strengths; bravery and an ability to always stay in control of her music. The album ends with a strong punk inspired track called ‘Squirm’ that nicely fuses the freedom of jazz with the joy of Rock and Roll.

Marla Mase remains on top with this her second album, it is a musical creation that will intrigue and possibly enlighten those who have not yet experienced music as art and will delight those who already worship their musical Goddess. - musika.uk.com

Chris Ross and Coral Rose's New Music Radio Show featuring Queen of Imperfection by Marla Mase - Preston FM 103.2 UK

New York native Marla Mase is the epitome of a lyrical messenger.

For her the gift of arts began with writing first, writing poetry and becoming known as a spoken word artist. It was in 2008, however, that she made a monologue into a song. After that she was hooked and kept writing more and more.

When I had my first conversation with her over the phone it was to discuss a new song she had just recorded called Anna Rexia. The song, as the title would suggest, deals with eating disorders and the way we treat them and react to them.

This is a subject Marla knows all too well. Her daughter battled depression and an eating disorder for years, and it was her fight along with what she saw in society that spurred Marla to contribute in a way that only she could.

The song was debuted for the first time on the radio on Conversations LIVE on Wednesday, February 29th during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and the response was amazing. I asked Marla what it was like to have a daughter going through something so personal and not really being able to make her feel better about herself. "As a parent you feel like it is all on you," she told me. "I felt like I couldn't give her enough. You realize at some point its up to them. It's not about you. What I said or did couldn't help them. There were no magic words to make her better."

What Marla did do, however, was go back to what has always been there for her: words. They had helped her through challenging times before, and now with songs like Anna Rexia she knows it will be a great light for others to enjoy and look at the issue differently.

Like so many of us that have found a gift in the midst of a difficult time or bad circumstances, Marla says that after she was able to get past her fear it changed her life.

Marla's message to all of us who are dealing with challenges that seem out of our control or feelings of worthlessness is this: "You're great the way you are. You are enough."

Find out more about Marla Muse and her music by visiting www.marlamuse.com
you are enough. - Conversations Magazine

Host Cyrus Webb welcomes recording artist Marla Mase to Conversations LIVE to discuss her love affair with music, how she is able to address causes that matter to her through song and to introduce her new single AnnaRexia. - Conversatons with Music - Cyrus Webb

Okay, readers…you know how much I don’t like to argue about things (LOL), but I truly have to disagree with something. Indie Bands Blog gave Marla Mase a great thumbs-up when her album came in at #8 on the New Year Ninety 2012 countdown for best bands (http://www.indiebandsblog.com/indie-bands-blog-round-up/new-year-ninety-2012-10-to-2).



Should she be there? You bet your bippy! However, this is THE singer. This is THE writer. This is THE musician of our time. Marla Mase is the best of the best when it comes to delivering the most memorable words, stories and performances to the masses, and she deserves that number one slot. No offense to others on the list, but this fan believes that it is impossible to reign above the Goddess.



Therefore, I will take a moment to recap this amazing woman’s career. Marla Mase is, first and foremost, a creator. And there are very few who are talented and skilled enough to own the incredible imagination that this woman exudes. This woman is a walking icon, and her talent knows no bounds. From poet to author to performance artist to producer to songwriter – I could fill page after page with what this one woman has done. Her music is not just ‘fun’ or ‘exciting.’ Marla Mase uses every emotion – all out intensity – when she makes her music. She has the ability to deal with the harsh demands that come with creativity, and every lucky listener can hear and see the amount of time and concentration she puts into her music, honing her craft to a point where there is not one flaw in the mix.



Although I wish I had written the following, Indie Blogs did offer a stunningly perfect and on-the-mark review of Marla Mase and her work:



Listening to Marla Mase it is easy to understand why she wants to do more than write music, as her sense of drama and visualization comes through strongly in the material. She is an artist who can range through a plethora of sounds with no discord, as her each iteration has the hallmark of Marla Mase stamped clearly. Rock and roll neatly folds in to acoustic led blues as she directs the listener through her perspectives.



The first album I experienced of Marla Mase’s was A Brief Night Out, and it was the first and only album since, where listening to the songs were not the actual experience I remember. It was listening to track after track and becoming a part of the story. Much like J.K. Rowling, who wrote the greatest ‘series’ of books of all time, Marla Mase tells the perfect story with the perfect, memorable characters, that make listeners want to get mad, sad, happy, and get even as they find themselves lost in the tale of a middle-aged woman re-assessing her entire existence.



From the opening song, Things That Scare Me, the listener is brought into the scene as if they were allowing Hitchcock to lead them into the Bates Motel; or, Spielberg lead them on a bike ride with an alien in front of the luminous moon – the stories that make their mark and set the scene from the opening beat. With Marla Mase, this off-beat reggae number gives the audience everything from a Jamaican beat to Indian melodies, making it very clear right off the bat that they are listening to the story of a woman who is standing on the edge of the abyss. From that moment on, the songs that follow take audiences on the ride of their lives – and THAT is the true gift a creator has. Whether with lyrics, poetry, a voice, or a camera – they have the ability to catch people’s attention, draw them in, get them involved, and then offer an ending where the listener can barely breathe when they turn their CD players off, or walk out of the building after the performance knowing that they’ve just been in the midst of perfection.



Listening to Marla Mase, or being a part of her genius for even a moment in time, is like walking towards a perfect painting. Whether you are into Henry Fuseli and staring at his most well-known work, “The Nightmare,” and becoming lost in the fact that this scene is a depiction of pure evil; or, you are standing in front of van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” and starring at the swirling clouds, stars ablaze with their own luminescence, and a bright crescent moon, you have to stop in your tracks. Marla Mase offers the same kind of innate beauty where, even if your life is beyond busy or your brain is going a mile a minute, you have to stop, listen, and become a part of the creator’s imagination.



In her latest album, Speak, Marla Mase once again stunned her fans and critics as she began with a tribal vocal called Lioness that begins to immediately paint a picture of what she has to say. No lights, camera, or ‘action’ is required for what Marla Mase does, it simply requires an ear to hear the intriguing vocals filled with intent, and a brain to visualize all the beauty of ultimately being released from confinement to spread your wings and fly to freedom.



Being able to have a ‘take no prisoner - staugnews.com

The indie bands blog New Year Ninety 2012 chart for positions 10 to 2 - indiebandsblog.com

It is not an over-exaggeration to say that I know my personal 2012 is going to be extremely fantastic when my first email, as I get closer and closer to that ball dropping in Times Square, is from The Goddess, herself.



Marla Mase ‘checked in’ to let all of her fans know how her play went and to give us all a message about the New Year. If you’ve been living in a cave for the last few months with no water, food, or (worst of all) no computer, Marla Mase brought her truly phenomenal CD, A Brief Night Out, to the stage at the Triad Theatre. This compilation of songs is still the perfect album. The reviews were nothing less than rave from every media source available, and the myriad of different music styles that were actually ‘born’ from a play that Marla Mase wrote herself titled, Man/Woman, are unique and unforgettable.



She created a stripped down version of this stunning one-woman rock opera, and then on December 12th it was seen and loved by the people who flew into the Triad in NYC like flocks of seagulls hungry to find the ocean to witness perfection live and in person. Marla Mase, joined by the Tomás Doncker Band, took to the stage and presented this rock-n-roll fairytale of a modern-day, middle-aged woman who, to the outside world, has it all; husband, two kids, a business, friends, yet she’s falling apart. She embarks on an affair with the man of her dreams and discovers a self (for better or for worse) that has long remained hidden. It’s a mid-life rock-n-roll crisis, with songs like “Exquisite Drops,” “Gaping Hole,” “Lily Pad” and “I’m Done,” from the monumental repertoire of Marla Mase.

I am not the only one who begged for a leprechaun, elf, angel, unicorn, an already well-fed vampire who had time on his hands – some type of being from the spirit world to transport me to NYC for this event. Unfortunately, they were all busy. But Marla Mase checked in to let the rest of us know how it went:



The play went fantastically! There was a packed audience, and they were completely into it. The play got ‘lots of laughs’ and I was told by numerous people that I really took them for an emotional ride; that they really felt all I was going through including, the excitement, the emptiness, the passion, the fear, the guilt, etc. etc. I was glad about that. I felt like I accomplished my acting goals on this one, and thanks goes to my great director, Sara Berg. The band was great as usual and it seems Lily Pad was the sleeper hit. (It always is)



But even more spectacular news for Marla’s legions of fans that grow bigger by the moment?



An investor came to the show and he expressed interest, so afterwards I went out with him and his friend to discuss future plans…my vision for the play, etc. We’ll see what comes of that.



Note to investors from Marla Mase fans: Bring this woman to the world!!! NYC is not the only throng of people who want to be a part of this magnificent performer’s life! The rest of us are waiting and we are beginning to get impatient. NYC has everything already, it is time for them to share!



Marla does plan on doing a run of the show, hopefully, in the late Winter/Spring. But that’s not all! YAY! I know, late Christmas present – early New Year’s gift – (see how giving I am to you all?)



I’m also going to do a reading finally, finally, of Man/Woman - the whole play as it was originally written. I’m pretty excited because I want to see where it stands; it’s very different from A Brief Night Out - much less of a personal story and more of a political one.



You want more? (Little greedy, aren’t you?) Okay…yes…there’s more!



I have a new tune (top secret, can’t say yet). It’s a Reggae tune and it’s going to hit a lot of people hard (a social issue). I am recording it soon (I have other tunes piling up and we’ll see. A third album, personal affairs, for Fall 2012? I hope so…depends on sponsors, investors, etc.)



Again…investors, please re-read the note above from fans who WANT this to happen!



Marla Mase is also in the running for more, and she is keeping her fingers crossed. This writer, and MILLIONS of others, will be crossing arms, legs, hands, eyes – everything! Just as long as Marla Mase is introduced to the world! It is no joke that a real, real, artist rarely ever comes along in this world, and here she is! So it’s time that Marla Mase becomes a household name.



And as we all look into 2012, and set our goals to make this year the ‘best of the best,’ Marla Mase was kind enough to let us know how she envisions the new year.



My goal for this year is to tour more, do a theatrical tour of SPEAK, continue with BNO, (truth is I have a lot of material but not enough time, so I need a manager).



I am cutting in here because I would KILL to market this woman. Organized, reliable, I’m told I can write so-so (LOL), and to market someone you truly believe in and thei - staugnews.com

In a world of farce, fakery, and ridiculousness – where reality shows and ‘commercial’ musicians are bought and paid for – Marla Mase brings back the very real, raw, and brilliant concept of what rock-n-roll is all about! - staugnews.com

Hey there, people. Happy Labor Day, and I hope everyone is really enjoying themselves with family and friends this holiday. I have to say that this writer has come across something that I couldn’t wait to pass along to all the Marla Mase fans and lovers out there!



The David vs. Goliath Music Festival & Series beings together some truly amazing ‘indie’ artists for the purpose of nurturing and supporting one another while celebrating music, networking and independence. Yes, like the incredible Marla Mase, and her new CD, SPEAK, this is the festival that celebrates and heralds the world of good music and all that it brings to each and every one of us. I mean, let’s face it, can you imagine a world without music? Talk about the most silent and annoying place on the planet.



This is a Festival that happens only twice a year to celebrate talented musicians who are truly serious about their music, and have “taken the bull by the horns,” so to speak, and have catapulted their careers into the stratosphere. Independently and Collectively, Marla Mase has done just that! From her amazing CD, A Brief Night Out to her writings, poems, songs…everything – Marla Mase has proven herself to be the ultimate artist, and also a person to emulate if you are an “up-and-comer” who needs to find the faith and belief in their own creative path.



Marla Mase IS the woman whose career is doing exactly what it is supposed to – it is taking off! And she has been asked to not only be a part of this amazing festival, but she is right where she belongs – at the very beginning, opening the show!



Just as an FYI to others who wish to someday follow the path of this truly incredible artist, this Festival looks to book artists of a wide variety of genres to perform from September 8-18th, 2011, in New York City, (and for February 2012).
Submitting bands should be from the USA, but all are considered as long as they cover their own traveling expenses and accommodations. (NYC/NJ/Philadelphia/New England, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin areas will be given preference.) But, like the incredible Marla Mase, all bands should have an excellent draw in New York City.

All submitting artists will also be considered for the David vs. Goliath Monthly Music Series (Preference is given to bands that have played the Monthly Music Series and/or a past festival). The Series will take place at least once a month in NYC at venues, such as: Santos Party House, Bowery Electric, Cin-M-ArtSpace17, Fontana’s, and Cin-M-Art Space43, Tribeca.

The Festival launched this past February, 2011, was a huge success. Without any major sponsorship, other than some assistance from VP’s and influential industry friends, David vs. Goliath Music Festival drew big crowds who experienced unforgettable music. Of course, Marla Mase is the biggest draw this time around. The Goddess has already proven herself to be the top-of-the-line, class act when it comes to performers and artists on today’s music scene, and this writer can only imagine how fantastic the show will be!

In a time when the music industry paradigm is in turmoil, in this present day and age, there is a need for something new that artists and fans can stand behind. David vs. Goliath Music Festival & Series acknowledges the fact that ‘Grassroots’ is where it all begins. In the streets, in garages, in ‘indie’ live music clubs – whether small, medium size, to 500+ capacity venues – this is where it all starts. David vs. Goliath Music Festival coordinators have banded together to bring forth an effort to give all artists an opportunity, and to nurture peers who are brought forth by musicians for musicians…and, of course, the fans.

Let everyone know that the fans are still the number one speakers when it comes to the best music being played in this world today. And those speakers have shouted out loud and clear that Marla Mase is their absolute favorite!



So it is no wonder that she has been chosen to be the opening act of the David vs. Goliath Music Festival! (http://fmfb.net/davidvsgoliathmf), which will take place on:



Friday, September 9th, 2011 at 8:45pm



Marla Mase is so excited to be performing a full fifty-minute set; and fans should already be drooling, considering that there will be songs from SPEAK that Marla has never performed live before! In addition, there will be some ‘spoken word’ and, of course, you’ll all get to hear one of the best bands in NYC. Plus, as Marla says, it is in Tribeca which is her own home turf! And she promises, “it will be a blast!” This writer thinks that is the understatement of the year. This is not going to be a blast, people. This is going to be the most phenomenal performance you’ve ever witnessed!



Friday, September 9th, 2011



David vs. Goliath Music Festival & Series



Cine-M-Art, 43 Murray Street

(Downstairs from the Irish Pub, Biddy Early’s)

{btw Church and - smallbusinessowner.com

The always eccentric, and never dull Marla Mase returns with her new album "Speak." On her previous album "A Brief Night Out," Mase delivered alot of spoken word speeches on her songs. On "Speak" Mase, delves away from that somewhat, and shows us more of her vocal abilities. Mase is able to intertwine both her vocal, and spoken word abilities throughout the songs flawlessly. And being the diverse musician Mase is, the album offers its listeners a various array of different music from the very 80's Blondie grooved "Lioness," to more of a Rolling Stones driven element in "Queen of Imperfection." Mase's latest work offers a various arrangement of rock and roll, blues, jazz, and a little folk, and never leaving its listener stagnant with one genre for too long. - Shockwave Magazine

The always eccentric, and never dull Marla Mase returns with her new album "Speak." On her previous album "A Brief Night Out," Mase delivered alot of spoken word speeches on her songs. On "Speak" Mase, delves away from that somewhat, and shows us more of her vocal abilities. Mase is able to intertwine both her vocal, and spoken word abilities throughout the songs flawlessly. And being the diverse musician Mase is, the album offers its listeners a various array of different music from the very 80's Blondie grooved "Lioness," to more of a Rolling Stones driven element in "Queen of Imperfection." Mase's latest work offers a various arrangement of rock and roll, blues, jazz, and a little folk, and never leaving its listener stagnant with one genre for too long. - Shockwave Magazine

I remember the first day I heard Marla’s music and I was transfixed from the moment it washed over me.

A few weeks later, Marla was appearing on a talk show that I was doing some engineering for. I remember fumbling over my words and finding my reaction unusual for I had long ago learned that celebrity did not phase me. I had listened to her music for the past few weeks and had heard a dark piece of myself within the truth of her lyrics and the strength of her voice. It was an album that I instantly felt at home with in my headphones at night and I also felt at home the minute she started speaking.

Who is Marla Mase? Her bio will tell you that she has an MA in writing and performance from NYU and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. It will also tell you that she has written a Rock Opera, A Brief Night Out. This show has definitively shown Marla as creating a new theatrical genre – Rock-n-Roll Theatre Noir. Her newest work, Speak, is totally all over the board Mase from sultry to straight talk.

Personally, I can’t really say I know the artist very well though I have listened to her work over and over. After that night, Marla was kind enough to keep in touch with me. We talked about New York, Phoenix, musical interests, hurricanes, holidays and we talked about her children. Interestingly enough, she wanted to know about my children as well. I think I connected with Marla as a single parent who has seen a lot and just needed to give voice to her inner compass. I actually find her to be a power of example and I hope you listen to her message as well as her music. - TweetClean.com

Marla Mase Gives Her Fans the Ultimate Holiday Event!

As always everybody, I am back with great news regarding “The Goddess,” Marla Mase – an artist/writer/performer who each and every one of our readers has been falling in love with since we began speaking about her stunning talent on Day One!



Marla Mase’s new album – SPEAK – has been crossing genres, radio stations, minds, and making sure that all people everywhere know that Marla Mase is THE performer, artist and singer that is changing the way rock-and-roll is seen. How? Because it has truly been decades since the world has been given a singer that not only has something to say, but absolutely KNOWS how to say it.



A while back we discussed a truly stunning mini-rock musical based on a killer play titled, Man/Woman. Marla Mase was the captain of the helm when it came to the Man/Woman experience, by placing all of her heart, emotion, sex appeal, and severe intelligence into a true work of art that set people on their proverbial ears. In fact, it was as if the world were being given back the sparkle and magic that true pioneers like Wanda Jackson, or Janis Joplin had brought to the stage. When Marla Mase came into being, it was as if the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame had found the next female icon they could raise up to the rooftops.



Taking that staggeringly amazing play, Man/Woman, Marla Mase shortened it a tad and brought about the rock opera, A Brief Night Out. For those of you who have been living in a cave and have missed this amazing artist, Man/Woman is an extraordinary feat of creativity that focuses on a woman’s life using blunt, bold, no-nonsense images and words. This is a woman who lives life on her own terms. In an extremely raw – highly passionate – prose, this woman’s life is exposed to the audience as she uncovers her deepest fears, fights her inner demons, and deals with a broken, shattered love. The writer, Marla Mase, created Man/Woman as a stellar work of art, and turned it into an even more potent mixture that has thrilled audiences on stage. And then, she did the impossible; she took that perfect play and composed, wrote and re-worked Man/Woman into a CD that has absolutely no competition in any category, and an unforgettable event which is the mini-rock musical – both titled, A Brief Night Out.



I can go on and on – as I always seem to do about this performer who seems to have no limit on what she can accomplish – but the words “brilliant,” or “awesome,” feel like just a reviewer’s words, that are used far too much as it is. A Brief Night Out can be given no stars – because there are simply not enough of them to do the rock opera and the CD justice. A Brief Night Out is ACTUALLY a masterpiece. Like DaVinci was to the world of science and Monet was to the world of art, Marla Mase is to the world of music.



Marla Mase has made it possible with each new project she releases, for the world to stand up and make their presence known. She has become the leader – “The Goddess” – that allows all of us living in this angry world to have the ability to scream and shout and search for more! In fact, I have never met anyone who even comes close to having the energy and life that Marla Mase has wrapped up in just her little finger. She actually bares her soul…and allows us a real look at a real woman who has enjoyed pain, anger, heartbreak, joy, triumphs and, most of all, life.



The CD, A Brief Night Out, is a compilation of songs that remind one of Poe – they’re that good. With lyrics set to a myriad of different music styles, Marla Mase leads her audiences through the confusing, perplexing and real, pain-in-the-ass world, of a middle-aged woman who is having an affair. And now…a new, stripped down version, from this gifted pioneer of A Brief Night Out is coming to the stage to blow everyone’s mind!



This intimate, profound version is the epitome of the ‘best rock opera’ ever written. And this amazing event will occur on the stage of The Triad Theatre, on December 12th , 2011 at 7 p.m.



This version is unbelievably different than past performances of A Brief Night Out. With this version the fans will be absolutely stunned, because on December 12th it is just the incredible Marla Mase - telling her story to the audience – backed by the Tomás Doncker Band. Marla has already stated how seriously proud of this performance she is and how excited (and, a bit scared) she is to get up on that stage and perform this new version. Let’s face it, after all we’ve seen created by this stunning performer, she is sure to blow the roof off The Triad and give a performance that the audience will never forget!



A message goes out to each and every one of you from Marla: I would love for you all to make this one. Your support is crucial, and I am beyond grateful of how supportive you’ve all been to me these past few years as I take this journey – plus, it’s a great venue, the band is - staugnews.com

Writer and performer Marla Mase is set to deliver a special one-night-only performance of her stunning one-woman rock opera, A Brief Night Out, on Monday, December 12th at The Triad in New York City. Mase will be joined by the Tomás Doncker Band and the evening will feature direction from Sara Berg.

A Brief Night Out is Marla's Mase's rock-n-roll fairytale of a modern-day, middle-aged woman who apparently has it all: a husband, two kids, a business, friends, and yet she is falling apart. She embarks on an affair with the man of her dreams and discovers a self (for better or for worse) that has long remained hidden. It's a mid-life rock-n-roll crisis! Song titles include "Exquisite Drops," "Gaping Hole," "Lily Pad" and "I'm Done."

The Tomás Doncker Band is made up of Tomás Doncker (guitars, vocals), Booker King (bass), Heather Powell (vocals), Tobias Ralph (drums), and Nick Rolfe (keyboards).

Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City, known for her gutsy, sexy, raw, performance style and her intelligent lyrics. Her newest project, speak, is a genre-busting rock album with a mix of world beat, spoken word, funk, r&b, punk, and classic rock-n-roll.

When people describe her work they say, "...it's very Mase," meaning eclectic, provocative, theatrical, risky, intense and very sexy. She has been dubbed Patti Smith with groove. Her live shows, a combination of rock-n-roll and spoken word, are explosive!

A Brief Night Out will play at The Triad (158 West 72nd Street) at 7pm on Monday, December 12th. Tickets, priced at $12, can be bought online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com. There is also a two-drink minimum at the performance.

For more information on Marla Mase and A Brief Night Out, visit www.MarlaMase.com

Read more: http://opera.broadwayworld.com/article/Marla-Mase-to-Perform-Her-Rock-Opera-A-BRIEF-NIGHT-OUT-at-The-Triad-20111118#ixzz1e7LGCd3x
- broadwayworld.com

Marla Mase Joins the Ranks of True Female Icons!
11 6 Care20 2 4 Stumbleupon4 Reddit0 Digg1 ShareThis30

By Annie Starr

I can hear SPEAK a comin'....
Hey, everyone! This week we're not only going to rejoice in the fact that the next Marla Mase album, SPEAK, is about to be released and will make us all extremely excited to be a part of this world, but we are also going to talk about icons. No, not the best in the music world, (because Marla Mase is already at the top of that list), but we're speaking today about the female icons who literally changed the world.

Feminine power is something that Marla Mase stands for. Her amazing rock opera/album, A Brief Night Out, is what 'the feminine' is all about: The desire, attraction, obsession, strength, and the love/hate relationship females have with themselves as they grow and learn. Luckily enough, my words will not fall on deaf ears. Things That Scare Me, the opening track from A Brief Night Out, is already being played on over two hundred stations across the globe, bringing the message of Marla Mase to millions who are looking for complete and absolute hope.

Understanding, strength, love, determination, acceptance - there are a myriad of feelings that we go through on a daily basis while stuck in - let's face it - a very 'masculine' world that runs on war, oil, a hideous economy, and bad decisions. Without the true female presence that has been placed on this earth, our times would be even more troubled than they are now. No, this is not an 'us vs. them' conversation, nor is this writer getting involved in the male versus female debate, I am simply here to show you all how incredibly well Marla Mase fits in with the truly iconic women who have made this world a far better place because of their existence.

When it comes to the class and grace of love, there are some women who know what that means. Marla Mase has proven time and time again, through her songs and plays, that she knows how important the heart is, and she absolutely understands its necessity in making life better.

Eva Peron once said: I have one thing that counts, and that is my heart. It burns in my soul, it aches in my flesh, and it ignites my nerves: that is my love for the people and Peron. The love and power of Marla Mase is as deep-seeded as the illustrious Eva. Marla Mase is so open with her fans and her public that there isn't a part of her that she doesn't share with the masses.

One of my favorites, the unequaled powerhouse, Jane Austen, said: There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. And a person lucky enough to be part of a Marla Mase audience receives the same sort of adoration. Marla Mase, too, does nothing half-way.

What about the feelings of society? What about the niche where we're all supposed to remain in order for the world to see us "correctly?" In this instance, Marla Mase is one who reminds me very much of Madonna. Now, I know there may be some rolling of the eyes at this particular name, but you're quite wrong. Madonna, like Marla Mase, is a transcendentalist. Both these women are trailblazers and, with that particular job description, wrath is sometimes brought against them. Madonna said: If your joy is derived from what society thinks of you, you're always going to be disappointed. And those words are beyond true. Too many of us take our place in a cubicle.

Whether it be at work, sitting at a desk we truly can't stand the sight of, but stay seated in order to achieve a paycheck - or, whether we are locked into a relationship that is not only debilitating but can become like a poison in our souls if we're not careful - we place ourselves in cubicles all the time.

But there have been women like Marla Mase who worked to tell others, through their words and deeds, that there is very much a way out of the cubicle. There is a way to do what you love and not worry about the repercussions of a slightly tyrannical world.

We'll begin with writing. When it comes to the power of the pen, Marla Mase has already proven that she is a trendsetter, and that she will join the ranks of the 'greats' who have come before. Sappho lived in 570 BC and was one of the first published female writers. Although much of her poetry has been lost, her immense reputation has remained. She was the true leader of women in her day and age, and opened a door for Marla Mase to one day walk through.

There were other writers who changed the world. Hildegard of Bingen was an author and composer who was consulted by Popes, Kings, and all the influential people of her time. St. Teresa of Avila was a mystic and poet who lived through the Spanish inquisition, and her words helped to reform the tradition of Catholicism and steer the religion away from fanaticism. Mary Wollstonecraft wrote the most significant book in the early feminist movement. Her tract, A Vindication of the Rights of Wo - newsblaze.com

No, readers. I would never leave you hanging. J this week is far too important for a trick like that. yes this is THE week when Marla Mase`s new CD, SPEAK enters the music world. And, let`s just face it now, it will take over the industry!

1311329748 74 Marla Mase The Goddess Takes the Music Industry by Storm!

Week after week I have been spotlighting this unbelievable woman and the feedback simply grows and grows. In fact, with each word I write another fan lines up to join the Marla Mase phenomenon. And they should!

Feminine power; the Goddess; the female warrior with a heart of gold and a voice so rich – lyrics so sensual and fierce – that fans unite behind the powerful songstress! Marla Mase captures each and every one of these titles with class, dignity, and the most amazing amount of talent I`ve ever listened to or even witnessed.

Today on Marla Mase`s site she has written the words we have all been waiting to hear! SPEAK is DONE and in her hand!!! Soon, it will be available in all the familiar places: iTunes, Amazon, CDbaby – so that the rest of us can get our hands on it as fast as humanly possible! However “(I wish I could actually type a drum roll) “SPEAK IS AVAILBLE RIGHT THIS SECOND ON the MARLA MASE website!! All you do is email Marla Mase if you`re interested in purchasing. That`s an understatement! I can already see that my electricity is about to go out the minute this article is published, as millions rush to their keyboards to get SPEAK into their hot little hands. And, again, you should! so I`ll let the `brown-out` go this time.

Marla Mase also has said, once again, that she is so very proud of SPEAK, and she sends her immense gratitude out to all those who helped make it happen with a special special shout out to the amazingly talented, Tomás Doncker, who was producer/co-writer/guitarist on SPEAK, as well as, James Dellatacoma, Marla Mase`s recording engineer. These are two men who put in a tremendous amount of talent, time, and love to make SPEAK possible. so, for all of Marla Mase`s fans, we want to thank them, too!

Marla Mase IS, as I`ve said in the past, a writer who has changed the world! this is not an easy thing to do, nor is there a very long list of people who have achieved this. Fans KNOW how unbelievably important the rock musical is to the world nowadays. And with Marla Mase`s first CD, A Brief Night Out, this amazing performer pegged the `rock musical.` a phenomenon that began in the 1960s with the hit `love-rock musical,` Hair, these amazing shows were not only about songs, dancing, acting, etc., they were true and utter events. Which is exactly what A Brief Night Out has become.

Marla Mase actually sat down and created A Brief Night Out as a play, originally, and by bringing it to the live stage, brought back a piece of history to the masses. Her extremely amazing words and music – not to mention a performance that will knock your lights out – Marla Mase revitalized the music world with A Brief Night Out. with her talent and her pen, she offered an exploration of the disintegration of a marriage and an in-depth look at an affair. A Brief Night Out broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of rock musical. And SPEAK, ladies and gentleman – if it`s possible to say this – is even better!

A Brief Night Out was about an affair, while SPEAK will end up being about another affair – an affair that fans will have with the incomparable Marla Mase. Once you fall in love with Marla`s music, that is one love affair that will last a lifetime. those are the words of press and reviewers, as well as fans and believers, in the Marla Mase phenomenon. And week after week that affair with Marla Mase has become even stronger and more well-defined. We have spoken about the writings of Marla Mase; the hugely successful businesses of Marla Mase; the plays, the CD`s – and now, the remarkable SPEAK. yes, I AM as crazy about this CD as you all will be because this is a performer – as I have said before – who throws her entire heart, passion, soul, drive, vitality, energy, and extreme amount of talent into everything she does!

The tracks on SPEAK are irrepressible, wild, and absolutely unforgettable. In fact, there is no doubt that you will buy this CD and listen to it 24/7 until the cows come home, as my Grandmother used to say J.

And the band? Booker King-bass; Tobias Ralph-drums; Alan Grubner-violin; Morris Roberts-drums; Nick Rolfe “keyboards; Daniel Sadownick “percussion; Heather Powell, with those angelic vocals; and, of course, Mr. Doncker – talk about a list of who`s who when it comes to musical talent! Orange Music Studio and the genius of James Dellatacoma, recording engineer, rounded out the team for this project – and fans will be thanking their lucky stars that each and every one of these amazing performers was alive at the very same time in order to combine their skills w - Amazon Reviews

No, readers. I would never leave you hanging. J this week is far too important for a trick like that. yes this is THE week when Marla Mase`s new CD, SPEAK enters the music world. And, let`s just face it now, it will take over the industry!

1311329748 74 Marla Mase The Goddess Takes the Music Industry by Storm!

Week after week I have been spotlighting this unbelievable woman and the feedback simply grows and grows. In fact, with each word I write another fan lines up to join the Marla Mase phenomenon. And they should!

Feminine power; the Goddess; the female warrior with a heart of gold and a voice so rich – lyrics so sensual and fierce – that fans unite behind the powerful songstress! Marla Mase captures each and every one of these titles with class, dignity, and the most amazing amount of talent I`ve ever listened to or even witnessed.

Today on Marla Mase`s site she has written the words we have all been waiting to hear! SPEAK is DONE and in her hand!!! Soon, it will be available in all the familiar places: iTunes, Amazon, CDbaby – so that the rest of us can get our hands on it as fast as humanly possible! However “(I wish I could actually type a drum roll) “SPEAK IS AVAILBLE RIGHT THIS SECOND ON the MARLA MASE website!! All you do is email Marla Mase if you`re interested in purchasing. That`s an understatement! I can already see that my electricity is about to go out the minute this article is published, as millions rush to their keyboards to get SPEAK into their hot little hands. And, again, you should! so I`ll let the `brown-out` go this time.

Marla Mase also has said, once again, that she is so very proud of SPEAK, and she sends her immense gratitude out to all those who helped make it happen with a special special shout out to the amazingly talented, Tomás Doncker, who was producer/co-writer/guitarist on SPEAK, as well as, James Dellatacoma, Marla Mase`s recording engineer. These are two men who put in a tremendous amount of talent, time, and love to make SPEAK possible. so, for all of Marla Mase`s fans, we want to thank them, too!

Marla Mase IS, as I`ve said in the past, a writer who has changed the world! this is not an easy thing to do, nor is there a very long list of people who have achieved this. Fans KNOW how unbelievably important the rock musical is to the world nowadays. And with Marla Mase`s first CD, A Brief Night Out, this amazing performer pegged the `rock musical.` a phenomenon that began in the 1960s with the hit `love-rock musical,` Hair, these amazing shows were not only about songs, dancing, acting, etc., they were true and utter events. Which is exactly what A Brief Night Out has become.

Marla Mase actually sat down and created A Brief Night Out as a play, originally, and by bringing it to the live stage, brought back a piece of history to the masses. Her extremely amazing words and music – not to mention a performance that will knock your lights out – Marla Mase revitalized the music world with A Brief Night Out. with her talent and her pen, she offered an exploration of the disintegration of a marriage and an in-depth look at an affair. A Brief Night Out broke new ground in musical theatre by defining the genre of rock musical. And SPEAK, ladies and gentleman – if it`s possible to say this – is even better!

A Brief Night Out was about an affair, while SPEAK will end up being about another affair – an affair that fans will have with the incomparable Marla Mase. Once you fall in love with Marla`s music, that is one love affair that will last a lifetime. those are the words of press and reviewers, as well as fans and believers, in the Marla Mase phenomenon. And week after week that affair with Marla Mase has become even stronger and more well-defined. We have spoken about the writings of Marla Mase; the hugely successful businesses of Marla Mase; the plays, the CD`s – and now, the remarkable SPEAK. yes, I AM as crazy about this CD as you all will be because this is a performer – as I have said before – who throws her entire heart, passion, soul, drive, vitality, energy, and extreme amount of talent into everything she does!

The tracks on SPEAK are irrepressible, wild, and absolutely unforgettable. In fact, there is no doubt that you will buy this CD and listen to it 24/7 until the cows come home, as my Grandmother used to say J.

And the band? Booker King-bass; Tobias Ralph-drums; Alan Grubner-violin; Morris Roberts-drums; Nick Rolfe “keyboards; Daniel Sadownick “percussion; Heather Powell, with those angelic vocals; and, of course, Mr. Doncker – talk about a list of who`s who when it comes to musical talent! Orange Music Studio and the genius of James Dellatacoma, recording engineer, rounded out the team for this project – and fans will be thanking their lucky stars that each and every one of these amazing performers was alive at the very same time in order to combine their skills w - Amazon Reviews

Marla Mase steps away from her theatre setting to provide us with a new album – Speak.

A ten track album, Speak opens with – Lioness, a tribal vocal opens the track before we head off to the theme of the album – caging and compliance. The musicality heads to a new space for Marla, as she permits the lyric and music to paint the picture with no need for stage presence.

Scream continues the afro-beat housed in an urban construct, as broader instrumentation is given space to breathe over the confines of the encapsulating vocal. Themes and sentiments of confinement behind pillars of concrete restrict the underlying beats from spreading their wings. Following in short order is Divine Restlessness, soul comes oozing out of the speakers as Marla heads to a new space. Her distinctive breathy vocal ties well to the composition, as the track loops like a caged animal.

She Hooked Him Up takes some great riffs on a tangential ride as the track whirls away, challenging the listener to find a space in which to rest the ears. The relentless progress hooks the audience in to an ever closing net as the story line lands the prey with ease.

Half-way through we hit Queen of Imperfection, takes a far more Rock based direction, which is a great space for Marla to expose her vocal. This is natural hunting ground which works extremely well. Great stuff.

Kill Love, well I think the sentiment is encapsulated in the title. A slower piece which enables the lyrics to say all that is essential, the added strings generate some wonderful depth.

As only a New Yorker can, New Cell Phone, has all that I like in Marla Mase, it is wrapped up in Brooklyn. At one time oppressed, while simultaneously feisty and unforgiving.

Ironically Dance the Tango takes us on a rock-a-billy ride out, really uplifting composition, with the ever present brooding lyrics which once again reflect on disappointment and unreflected truths. A superb composition.

Smithereens, finds another space in which the vocal sits with perfection. This is a subtle composition with the voracious appetite of a brown tree snake. Inconspicuous but laden with venom.

Once again I find myself at the end of a release wanting just a little more. Squirm harks back to the natural vocal range, with some deft guitar as the epitaph to a world which refuses to listen.

A neatly packaged album which delivers on every level, Speak is available on itunes. - indiebandsblog.com

One word: FEARLESS! Raw... Enigmatic...Unapologetic…Unique. So, maybe one word is not enough to describe the “experience” that is Marla Mase. How is one expected to explain what I call: The Marla Mase
experience? You can’t! It is equal parts: rock, rap, Broadway, monologue, Lilith Fair, blues, & dare I, a
rocker chick, say I heard some good old guttural vocals on track #5 DFWME? I am certain I did. This is a
description of how I felt after listening to A Brief Night Out, Mase’s 2010 debut album. It shares the same
name with her most recent show, A Brief Night Out, A Rock & Roll Musical, that has been making its way
around the city until it finds a permanent home. However, that is not everything that needs to be said about
Marla Mase. She has been writing since her late teens/early twenties. She considers herself a writer first and
the songs and performances and shows and everything else that is created in Marla Mase’s world evolve from
the written words. In 1998 Mase took a class on creating a one person show, from that experience she fell in
love with her theatrical voice and wrote her play, A Carnarsie Line which was put up in 2002.
Mase lives in Tribeca, NY. Where she says she loves being so close to the rivers, and Hudson River
Park. There is a feeling of comfort that comes from “knowing everyone” and the quiet, the quiet that is
different from the rest of the city. It’s like “getting away from it all down here”, says Mase. That is a good
thing, considering that Marla Mase, along with being a mother and everything else she creates, has been in
the party planning business for 20 years this summer. It’s amazing that with more than 2,500 events under
her belt, she has the energy or time to keep on creating. But she does, her second CD Speak is scheduled to
be released in the spring of 2011. I was glad we could grab her for a few questions.
Hi Marla, I used the word “fearless” to describe you. Do you see yourself as fearless? And if you do, can you
tell us where that comes from?
People say that all the time about me - and I have to laugh because if anyone knows fear it’s me. There
were years when my anxiety and fear were so bad I could barely walk, talk, smile or laugh (some of my show
is about this as well). It was horrible, and then one day it hit me-I’m so f**king afraid of everything I might
as well do all the things I’m afraid of; why not; I can’t be any more afraid than I am now; (see my song: Things
That Scare Me) and so out of that fear emerged this woman who is seemingly very fearless - with a lot of balls.
You have such an eclectic style. How do you know which style of music is going to fit the words you have
written when it comes time to turn them into a song?
I actually write the words with a tune/melody in mind (I have many genres and voices in my head,
hence the ‘psychotic nature of my CD’- as one of my closest friends lovingly described it); they go together
- I don’t do lyrics first and then fit them into something-a song comes to me pretty complete - or first phase
complete - then I bring them to Tomas, my co-writer (Tomas Doncker) and he translates my voice recording
from my phone or my scribbling from my journal which I sing to him and he plays it within minutes on
the guitar. It’s pretty amazing, how quickly he gets what I’m doing. Some of my songs are pretty much the
way they were when I first wrote them and others have changed quite significantly once Tomas and I work
together on them. He is a very intuitive musician/songwriter so he might suggest slowing it down or giving
the song a certain groove I didn’t think of - come up with the hooky bridge that ties the whole song together
and cutting some of the lyrics. (I can write a lot. The original Gaping Hole was more like a thesis than a
song.) Great news is, he gets me, he understands what I’m hearing in my brain, what I’m trying to say and
knows how to capture that into very beautiful music - I’m very grateful that he is my songwriting partner and
producer. There is this unexplainable magical chemistry that exists between us in our songwriting and I’m
NOT going to try and figure that one out. It just is. He also has this fabulous team of musicians that he’s One word: FEARLESS! Raw... Enigmatic...Unapologetic…Unique. So, maybe one word is not enough to
describe the “experience” that is Marla Mase. How is one expected to explain what I call: The Marla Mase
experience? You can’t! It is equal parts: rock, rap, Broadway, monologue, Lilith Fair, blues, & dare I, a
rocker chick, say I heard some good old guttural vocals on track #5 DFWME? I am certain I did. This is a
description of how I felt after listening to A Brief Night Out, Mase’s 2010 debut album. It shares the same
name with her most recent show, A Brief Night Out, A Rock & Roll Musical, that has been making its way
around the city until it finds a permanent home. However, that is not everything that needs to be said about
Marla Mase. She - reallygreatmagazine.com (Feb 22 2011 issue)

“Marla Mase sneaks in a closing song to end all endings in 2011 and beyond. Her song, ³That Wall² is soulful, socio-political and solid to the core. A mere glimpse into the genius of this emerging artist…. ” - womensradio.com

Mase Music is proud to announce the release of A Brief Night Out, a raw, sexy, dynamic debut album about love, passion, war, and addiction which captures the essence of the classic "downtown" New York City sound. Written and performed by Marla Mase, A Brief Night Out - the CD, like the rock-n-roll musical by the same name, is gutsy, intelligent, and genre-busting with musical styles ranging from funk to blues to pop to rap to avant-garde to rock-n-roll. The BAND, a smokin' group of bad-ass veteran musicians combined with Mase's fearless performance and provocative lyrics make A Brief Night Out one of the year's most exciting and original releases.

A Brief Night Out is co-written and produced by internationally renowned guitarist and recording artist Tomas Doncker. Performing on the CD are: Tomas Donker - Guitars/vocals, Booker King - Bass (Paul Simon, Santana, Angelique Kidjo); Alan Grubner - Violin and string arrangements (Henry Threadgill, Olivia Newtown-John, Eddie Palmieri); Tobias Ralph - Drums on That Wall and DFWME (currently touring with Lauryn Hill; previously toured with the musical Movin' Out); Nick Rolfe - keyboards and backup vocals (Roy Hargrove, Melba Moore, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band); Daniel Sadownick - percussion (The Roots, Al Green, Steely Dan); and Martin Vidnovic - Spoken Word (Tony nominated for his performance as Tommy in Brigadoon, The King and I, Guys and Dolls).

A Brief Night Out is avalable at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marlamase

Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from NYC. She has written and continues to write plays, monologues, poems, solo performance pieces, erotica, blogs and songs, which have been performed (by her and other actors) around the city. She is known for her balls-to-the-wall performance style and her no-holds-barred honesty. Her most recent show, A Brief Night Out (BNO), a kick-ass rock-n-roll musical, which tells the story of a middle-aged woman, a mom, who is having an affair, falling apart at the seams and busting with a sexy brand of anxiety, is fast becoming an underground sensation. The CD soundtrack of the show, co-produced and co-written with Tomas Doncker, is viralling its way through cyberspace and is getting downloaded daily. BNO has been workshopped at The Duplex, The Barrow Street Theatre, The Delancey Bar, and The Laurie Beechman Theatre and is currently looking for a permanent home to live in.

Marla's play, The Canarsie Line directed by Kathryn Rossetter, ran at The Bank Street Theatre in New York City to sold out audiences in 2002 and was invited to the Edinburgh Theatre Festival. Her play Man/Woman was workshopped at the Abingdon Theatre in 2004. She is a regular performer in Carolyn Kitay's Variety Show, Kitay Kitay and the Wonderfuls, and she is a frequent performer of her songs at benefits, mixers, and clubs in New York City.
Marla has her MA in writing and performance from NYU, is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and is the owner of PARTYpoopers.com and partySWANK.com where she has produced over 2,500 events these past 18 years. Marla's second CD, SPEAK, is scheduled to be released in Spring 2011.

For more information on Marla Mase and th hear her music: www.MarlaMase.com

Tomas Doncker- co-writer of music, producer, and musical director of A Brief Night Out. Tomas found himself amongst the ranks of New York's groundbreaking musical elite, playing in such groups as James Chance and the Contortions, James White and The Blacks, Defunkt, Latin-groove-meisters Konk, and New York's absolute first hip hop group, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Joints (featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Arturo O'Farrill).

Tomas has amassed performance and recording credits with a diverse list of musical luminaries including: Bootsy Collins, Ivan Neville, Yoko Ono, Amp Fiddler, Bonnie Raitt, folk-pop-diva Morley, Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, Grammy winner Prince Charles Alexander's City Beat Band, along with spoken word pioneer Sonya Sanchez. In 2009, Tomas released the highly anticipated collection of songs with Pulitzer-Prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa entitled, "The Mercy Suite." His Global/Soul CD "Small World Part 1 - Deluxe Edition" has been selected by BDG/Sony/Red for worldwide distribution. The CD featured performances by Bill Laswell, Gigi, Selam Woldermariam, and Martha Redbone. His website: www.tomasdonker.net - broadwayworld.com

For seven weeks this writer has been delving into the super-powers of Marla Mase. As all of our readers and Marla Mase fans (who are growing in number every single day, by the way) have seen with these weekly articles, is that Marla Mase is a force to be reckoned with. Not only that, but the power of Marla Mase invades all different aspects of life.

Whether she's planning a party with her amazing businesses (Party Poopers and partySWANK); or sitting in a room 'jamming' with musicians and creating lyrics that will stop the world; OR, staring out a window of a Tribeca apartment while taking her fears, beliefs, and strength, and creating plays that have been seen by thousands and will soon see the Broadway stage - Marla Mase has all bases covered.

When I hear the lyrics of Marla Mase; when I see an interview with the strong voice and high intelligent quotient; or simply receive an email that shows me yet another review that tells me Marla Mase is a force to be reckoned with - a lioness appears in my mind. I can actually see that illustrious creature appear on the field to the roar of the crowds in The Coliseum. Marla Mase can circle her friends and foes just as those majestic animals can. She can stand on stage and give sexy, strong, enigmatic performances that are as much theatrical as they are a night of pure rock-and-roll entertainment that takes listeners far away from their normal, 'humdrum' world.

Marla Mase can also turn off the roar and morph into The Coliseum's greatest champion - the Gladiator - clothed in their metal skin, while raising their chin and their sword into the air. But with Marla Mase, instead of the Gladiator making war with the lion, she becomes both; two sides of one very eclectic lady. The Gladiator's shout and the lion's roar combine in Marla Mase. And with both entities of strength inside her soul, she can go into a recording studio and sing the lyrics she's created that earn her rave review after rave review after rave review.

When I first began writing about Marla Mase, I compared her to the Goddess Kali - that effervescent goddess/demon personality who has many hands, who made no apologies, took no prisoners, and had leagues of people following her into eternity. The one difference I've come across thus far between the amazing Marla Mase and the Goddess Kali is that, Marla Mase - if at all possible - has MORE hands than Kali could've ever imagined. This is a woman who must run on two hours sleep, which actually fits for a resident of the fast-paced world that is New York City. Kali, who is known as the ambassador of eternal energy, would actually get a run for her money from Marla Mase.

Week after week we've uncovered layer after layer of a woman who is real and outspoken; she doesn't hide behind ridiculous outfits, attitudes, or industry-'likes.' This is a woman who is not only a person you wish to see perform; this is also a woman you wish to be best friend's with. Think about it. Having Marla Mase in your corner would be very much like being able to have a cup of coffee with Nostradamus every morning and go over what he thinks and feels about life. Unlike the "pop" creations that are on the market today, who have to rely on wearing dresses made out of meat in order for people to listen to them, *Marla Mase is the real-deal.

Marla Mase is never embarrassed by the mix of sensuality and strength that she brings to the table. And, quite frankly, the god Shiva would've dumped Kali for this lady. I also once said that, upon speaking with and researching the amazing number of worlds Marla Mase encompasses, she begins to seem like a strong branch on Kali's family tree. I wish to retract that statement. *Marla Mase *IS the tree.

All reviews that are circulating out there in magazines, newspapers, the internet, and the 'buzz' that's flowing through the streets of the city, say that this woman - Marla Mase - is the epitome of talent. She has stood before her demons without breaking, turned around, and told the world with everything she does - in her businesses, her songs, her writing...everything, that there is absolutely nothing that you can not achieve. It's like Cinderella's fairy godmother got together with Kali and decided to grant wishes to the world. And that's not to be cutesy people. When each and every one of us look at someone who works hard and does not give up no matter what the world may throw at them, this is the person that A) we wish to emulate; and, B) we believe when she speaks. Therefore all of her albums, her live shows, her plays...absolutely everything that comes from the mind of Marla Mase is something we want to be a part of.

Just recently, Shockwave Magazine offered a new review for Marla Mase's, A Brief Night Out, which they stated is, "one of the most eclectic releases of recent time." Shockwave certainly used the correct terminology to sum up this powerful being and what, A Brief Night Out brings to our world. And they continued: "... - newsblaze.com

Marla Mase has recently released her album, A Brief Night Out, which is the story of a woman going through a nervous breakdown, exploring her place in life.

Marla Mase | A Brief Night Out

Marla Mase | A Brief Night Out

The album is best taken in the whole context. While individual tracks stand up to scrutiny, to miss the complete experience of A Brief Night Out – the story of a Middle-aged woman re-assessing her whole existence.

Opening with Things That Scare Me, a scene setter for the album. An off-beat reggae number, which shines with a strength of song-writing capability. The track swathes through Jamaican beats, while introducing some Indian melodies and even a nod to the Spice Girls, as the music identifies with the central character of the album. Some-one on the edge of a nervous breakdown. A clever track to open the release.

Texted, continues the theme of uncertainty, was that a real text, or as the ending suggest, merely a fantasy? Waffled electronica flows throughout the track as the lyric poses it’s diatribe.

Changing the tempo to an ever more disconcerted mood, Exquisite Drops, is riven with raced violin set to a tempo of the incessant voice of the Psychiatrist and a steady beat of dripping water. An extraordinary piece of composition, which delivers on every level.

I Fell in Love (Woman) is a soliloquy set to the scene of the central character which sends me to a scene – ‘Woman’ sitting on her own in a dimly lit café reflecting with a glass of wine, of love and hate.

The Rock number DFWME does exactly as it says on the tin. A strong emotional response to the opening tracks as the central character fight back. Again a great example of the way Marla Mase gets under the skin of what she is trying to portray.

Heading on to a Step or Two, A Brief Night Out continues with a step change to a sun-lit track reminiscent of 60's pop, with some cleverly crafted flat notes which add an emotional twist in keeping with the album.

That Wall bounces male and female vocals against instrumentation to great effect. An atmospheric track, fighting to get outside the imprisonment of mundanity.

The acoustic guitar and open spaces of Gaping Hole are once again on the spot with the sentiment. This is an exemplary composition. There are too few writers who can match the structure of a lyric with the tempo and overall composition. If for this track only Marla Mase would be a superb addition to the Indie Bands Blog.

Lily Pad, has me reaching forcomparisons, albeit continents apart, Rajashtan Roots, as traditional folk is melded with country.

Heading towards the end of the release. The Penultimate track I’m Done sees the feisty character return. The overlayed core lyrics are a neat step, which add much to the track.

Finishing with RHM (Rockin’ Hot Mase) a tidy rock and roll conclusion to a well crafted release.

Available as a digital download or CD from the Indie Bands Blog store.

Reviewed by Tim Whale of Indiebandsblog.com on 1/28/2011. - indiebandsblog.com

Marla Mase has recently released her album, A Brief Night Out, which is the story of a woman going through a nervous breakdown, exploring her place in life.

Marla Mase | A Brief Night Out

Marla Mase | A Brief Night Out

The album is best taken in the whole context. While individual tracks stand up to scrutiny, to miss the complete experience of A Brief Night Out – the story of a Middle-aged woman re-assessing her whole existence.

Opening with Things That Scare Me, a scene setter for the album. An off-beat reggae number, which shines with a strength of song-writing capability. The track swathes through Jamaican beats, while introducing some Indian melodies and even a nod to the Spice Girls, as the music identifies with the central character of the album. Some-one on the edge of a nervous breakdown. A clever track to open the release.

Texted, continues the theme of uncertainty, was that a real text, or as the ending suggest, merely a fantasy? Waffled electronica flows throughout the track as the lyric poses it’s diatribe.

Changing the tempo to an ever more disconcerted mood, Exquisite Drops, is riven with raced violin set to a tempo of the incessant voice of the Psychiatrist and a steady beat of dripping water. An extraordinary piece of composition, which delivers on every level.

I Fell in Love (Woman) is a soliloquy set to the scene of the central character which sends me to a scene – ‘Woman’ sitting on her own in a dimly lit café reflecting with a glass of wine, of love and hate.

The Rock number DFWME does exactly as it says on the tin. A strong emotional response to the opening tracks as the central character fight back. Again a great example of the way Marla Mase gets under the skin of what she is trying to portray.

Heading on to a Step or Two, A Brief Night Out continues with a step change to a sun-lit track reminiscent of 60's pop, with some cleverly crafted flat notes which add an emotional twist in keeping with the album.

That Wall bounces male and female vocals against instrumentation to great effect. An atmospheric track, fighting to get outside the imprisonment of mundanity.

The acoustic guitar and open spaces of Gaping Hole are once again on the spot with the sentiment. This is an exemplary composition. There are too few writers who can match the structure of a lyric with the tempo and overall composition. If for this track only Marla Mase would be a superb addition to the Indie Bands Blog.

Lily Pad, has me reaching forcomparisons, albeit continents apart, Rajashtan Roots, as traditional folk is melded with country.

Heading towards the end of the release. The Penultimate track I’m Done sees the feisty character return. The overlayed core lyrics are a neat step, which add much to the track.

Finishing with RHM (Rockin’ Hot Mase) a tidy rock and roll conclusion to a well crafted release.

Available as a digital download or CD from the Indie Bands Blog store.

Reviewed by Tim Whale of Indiebandsblog.com on 1/28/2011. - indiebandsblog.com

Marla Mase is a singer, songwriter and performer from New York City. She writes songs, plays, monologues, short stories, erotica, blogs, and poems. Mase is known for her gutsy, sexy, raw performance style and her intelligent lyrics.

Mase grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan when she was 18 and has been there ever since. As a writer, she writes about her daily experiences and impressions, which she has been chronicling in her journals since she was a teenager.

“I have thousands of pages of words,” she says. “Most of my plays and songs are born there.”

Both her mother and brother were songwriters, which certainly helped her as a musician. Growing up, she always felt that what she had to say was not understood. Thus, the arts provided a secure release for her.

Mase started writing music just three years ago. While she had been a writer, performer, playwright, and solo artist for a number of years, music was simply something she never pursued.

“I always used to joke with friends and family that what I really should be is a rock star,” she said. “But unfortunately I’m not a musician and I don’t write songs, so that’s that.”

Mase’s interest in music was sparked during a very challenging time in her life. Her marriage was falling apart, her daughter was struggling with anorexia and depression, and after years of being the strong one, she fell apart. It was from this place of collapse that she truly began to pursue music.

“I discovered that singing was perhaps the only thing that made me feel a tiny bit better,” she said. “So I showed up to my acting class one day and started to sing. At first it was just other peoples’ songs. Then I’d insert these cover tunes in between my own writings (cabaret style) and finally one day I wrote my first first real song, ‘Lily Pad.’ From that point on it was one song after the next.”

Mase, now 46, credits the likes of Pete Townsend, Peter Gabriel, and Franz Kafka as her inspirations. Her inspirations are people, music or words that come from a place of truth and substance. She is also highly motivated by her acting coach, Elizabeth Browning, and her musical director and writing partner, Tomás Doncker. The ideas for her songs generally come from her life; things that she feels, thinks, and/or needs to express.

Mase has just finished her 2nd CD, SPEAK, and hopes to have a few more CD’s under her belt within the next five years.

“I have so much material, so many pieces that I’d like to work on that five years won’t even scratch the surface,” she said. “Nonetheless, I hope to still be with my band exploding genres and continuing to play great music.”

Mase has already attracted attention from people of all ages. Surprisingly, teenagers around the world have fallen in love with her sound. They are drawn to her balls to the wall, fearless attitude. She has been described as having a teenager’s rebelliousness and fearlessness with the wisdom of a woman. Having said that, woman generally relate strongly to Mase’s material. She’s been told she’s an inspiration for going out there and doing her thing, for being honest and so raw. Mase likes to describe her music as rock-n-roll at the core with a lot of funk and groove. She’s been told that her sound is unlike anything people have heard before.

Mase’s ultimate dream as an artist is to communicate something to other people; to connect with the world out there, even if it’s for just a brief moment. She wants to be as authentic to herself as she can be, which means to be gutsy, vulnerable, raw, scared, and sexy in front of others.

“As an artist I think it’s important to frame yourself as you really are,” she said. “That will give others the courage to be who they really are, rather than trying to conform to some image of whom they think they should be.”

“A Brief Night Out,” the name of Mase’s rock opera CD, tells the story of a woman having an affair, breaking-down, obsessing on war and re-assessing her life. It was released in November of 2010 and has received stellar reviews, generating Marla quite a lot of press. Mase’s second CD, “SPEAK,” was released at the beginning of July.

For more information, please visit Mase’s website at marlamase.com. - underthecover.org

Marla Mase: An Introduction
There is a Hindu goddess that goes by the name of Kali. This ancient idol shows up in many forms in everyday life, and also has many meanings depending on who you're speaking with or where their beliefs lie. Kali is the ambassador of eternal energy as well as being the icon that embraces time and change. In her most well-known form, Kali has four arms that each represent a different 'role' she plays in life. One of her hands is devoted to the gathering of Divine knowledge, while another stands for the ability to slay the human ego. The third hand announces Kali's fearlessness in the face of danger, while the fourth offers a blessing to all her followers.

Kali's hands are always moving - working in the realm of ancient demon-fighting to being the eternal mother who loves nothing more than her children. She is never embarrassed by the mix of sensuality and strength that she shows in absolutely everything she stands for; and, she remains the woman who stole the heart of the god, Shiva, and her expression is one that reminds people of a mighty lioness standing in front of her defenseless cubs - saving them from the harsh realities of hunters and war. Upon speaking with, and researching the amazing number of worlds Marla Mase encompasses, she begins to seem like a strong branch on Kali's family tree.

Marla Mase has been cited as fearless in reviews and interviews, although she will tell you that it is because of the fear and anxiety that built in her every single day that she ended up choosing her current path. Instead of running into the darkness to escape the fear in the pit of her stomach, Marla is one of the very few who chose to stand tall, face her demons, and walk directly into the fire. Whether you wish to see her as a chameleon or a phoenix that rose from the ashes, or simply a woman who was led by her heart, soul, and strength, Marla Mase certainly falls into the category of a hard-worker with an immense amount of creativity and passion for life.

Growing up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, Marla moved to Tribeca when she was eighteen and hasn't left the neighborhood since. She holds a Master of Arts degree in writing and performance from NYU, and is raising two children - a much beloved daughter and son. While being a full-time mom, Marla also adds to her resume: event planner, writer, performer, producer, and singer/songwriter based in the heart of New York City. Marla has said that with everything she does she still considers herself to be a writer first: "It all stems from the written word," she's been quoted as saying. To prove just that, Marla has written plays, monologues, poems, solo performance pieces, erotica, blogs, and songs which have been performed in venues all around the City. She is known and revered for her 'knock-down-drag-out' performance style that offers a rare mix of raw sexuality and brutal honesty that has garnered her amazing reviews and undeniable fan support.

Over the next few weeks we're going to 'walk the maze of Mase,' and discover facts, decipher views, and become exposed to a fantastically addictive personality in the music business, as we focus on Marla's amazing number of accomplishments and her plans for the future. From her two successful party-planning businesses (Party Poopers and the adult division, Party Swank) through which Marla has created over 2,500 successful theatrical events in the Greater New York City area; to her creative lyrical talent of being able to compose monologues and stories that have led to a rock musical which has already appeared in various cabaret venues - a performance that is pure and extremely 'real' that rivals the Broadway rock opera phenomenon, Tommy, which was first released in 1969 by Pete Townshend and The Who. Down these paths we'll walk as we uncover the inexplicable imagination that lives in the mind of Marla Mase.

Readers will be introduced to the incredible partnership that exists between Marla and Tomas Doncker, an extremely well-known and highly gifted producer and artist. This incredible duo teams up as co-writers on many, many projects where her words are set to his music creating the perfect flow - the perfect chemistry that can only be seen as a miraculous coupling to the people lucky enough to hear the result.

This chemistry was felt on Marla's debut album titled, A Brief Night Out, which was written and performed by Mase. Backed by her partner Tomas and The BAND, which is a group made up of the most amazing veteran musicians that include the likes of Booker King and Martin Vidnovic, this album has been well-received with fans jumping on board begging for more. BNO is the true story of a somewhat sick-and-tired, middle-aged woman who has her busy hands in a number of worlds including motherhood, having an affair, work, dealing with life, etc. These issues are each set to music offering songs that deal with the ultimate confusion, fear, success, and paranoia that can overcome a human - newsblaze.com

Definitely one of the most eclectic releases of recent time, Marla Mase's "A Brief Night Out," takes you on a whirl wind of music, poetry, and raw emotion. This album will take you on a wild journey of emotions that will you have you one moment raising up an eyebrow questioning what you're listening to, to the next moment of throwing your fist in the air rocking. Mase is very unapologetic in her lyrics, and makes you aware of whom she is especially in the final track R.H.M. (Rockin' Hot Mase) where she sings "yeah all my curves are all the rage, and yeah I got an ass and I'm not embarrassed to shake it all over town. Cause my heat is transforming, and I'm not boring." Mase proves that she is more than just a musician, she also paints a sense of imagery in her music that gives you the feeling of watching a musical play that goes from angry, to funny, to sexual at any given moment. This album provides a listening experience that will leave you with everything but a dull moment. - Shockwave Magazine