Tag: Martina and the Moons

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Dublin’s Martina and the Moons Share Broodingly Cinematic “Higher Than A Hawk”

Led by Spanish-Scottish frontperson Martina Moon, Dublin-based indie outfit Martina and the Moons can trace their origins back to when Moon relocated to Dublin to study at BIMM University, where she met and quickly connected with her then-future bandmates Ruby Levins (bass), Zahira Ellis (drums) and Sarah Morgan (guitar). 

The Dublin-based quartet quickly established a sound that blended elements of post-punk, indie rock, 90s Brit Pop and the 60s and 70s Laurel Canyon sound while featuring gorgeous melodies and a youthful aggression and angst. In fact, Moon, who cites Paul Simon, Lady Gaga, Catatonia, Radiohead, Bruno Mars and an eclectic list of others as influences, writes lyrics that frequently touch on themes of alienation, being misunderstood, being an outsider, and yearning with a deeply lived-in sensibility and earnestness. 

In a short period of time, the band has played opening slots for Porridge Radio and Thumper. They’ve played Whelan’s Main Stage at Ones to Watch. And adding to a growing regional profile, they played 2025’s The Great Escape Festival, receiving mentions from BBC Introducing and praise from Golden Plec and from Hotpress, who named them one of their Hot for ’25 acts. 

Last year, the band signed to Dublin-based artist development label Rubarb Music, who released recently released their Ruadhrí Cushnan-produced EP Starfish Social Club, which features the previously released “Baby Turtle” and “Laundry Mat.”  

Starfish Social Club EP‘s third and latest single “Higher Than A Hawk” showcases a more shoegazer and post punk-tinged take on their Brit Pop-inspired sound. Featuring swirling and shimmering guitars, an angular and propulsive bass line, forceful drumming paired with Moon’s bold, almost in-your-face delivery, “Higher Than A Hawk” may arguably be the most brooding and cinematic song on the EP, seemingly channeling the likes of A Storm in Heaven-era The Verve, Slowdive, The Church and others, all while anchored around Moon’s earnest lyricism.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Martina and the Moons Return with Hook Driven and Anthemic “Laundry Mat”

Led by Spanish-Scottish frontperson Martina Moon, Dublin-based indie outfit Martina and the Moons can trace their origins back to when Moon relocated to Dublin to study at BIMM University, where she met and quickly connect with her then-future bandmates Ruby Levins (bass), Zahira Ellis (drums) and Sarah Morgan (guitar).

The Dublin-based quartet quickly established a sound that blended elements of post-punk, indie rock, 90s Brit Pop and the 60s and 70s Laurel Canyon sound while featuring gorgeous melodies and a youthful aggression and angst. In fact, Moon, who cites Paul Simon, Lady Gaga, Catatonia, Radiohead, Bruno Mars and a list of others, writes lyrics that frequently touch on themes of alienation, being misunderstood, being an outsider, and yearning with a deeply lived-in sensibility and earnestness.

In a short period of time, the band has played opening slots for Porridge Radio and Thumper. They’ve played Whelan’s Main Stage at Ones to Watch. And adding to a growing regional profile, they played this past year’s The Great Escape Festival, receiving mentions from BBC Introducing and praise from Golden Plec and from Hotpress, who named them one of their Hot for ’25 acts. 

Earlier this year, the band signed to Dublin-based artist developmental label, Rubarb Music, who their Ruadhrí Cushnan-produced “Baby Turtle.” “Laundry Mat,” the follow up to “Baby Turtle” is a hook-driven anthem and arguably, the Dublin-based act’s hardest rocking tune to date. And while showcasing the more Brit pop-leaning elements of their sound, “Laundry Mat,” seemingly channels more contemporary fare, like Aussie JOVM mainstays RVG and others.

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Dublin’s Martina and the Moons Share Shimmering and Yearning “Baby Turtle”

Led by Spanish-Scottish frontperson Martina Moon, the rising Dublin-based indie outfit Martina and the Moons can trace their origins back to when Moon relocated to Dublin to study at BIMM University. During her studies, Moon met and quickly connected with her then-future bandmates, Ruby Levins (bass), Zahira Ellis (drums) and Sarah Morgan (guitar). The Dublin-based quartet quickly got out of the game, establishing a sound that blends elements of post punk, indie rock, 90s Britpop and the 60s and 70s Laurel Canyon sound paired with gorgeous melodies and a youthful aggression and angst.

Moon, who cites Paul Simon, Lady Gaga, Catatonia, Radiohead, Bruno Mars and a lengthy list of others influences, pens lyrics that touch on themes of alienation, being misunderstood, being an outsider and yearning with a deeply, lived-in earnestness.

So far, the band has played opening slots for Porridge Radio and Thumper. The quartet played Whelan’s Main Stage at Ones to Watch. And adding to a growing regional profile, they played this past year’s The Great Escape Festival, receiving mentions from BBC Introducing and praise from Golden Plec and from Hotpress, who named them one of their Hot for 25′ acts.

Building upon the growing buzz surrounding them, the members of Martina and the Moon recently signed to Dublin-based artist developmental label Rubarb Music, who released their latest single, the Ruadhrí Cushnan-produced “Baby Turtle.”

Recorded at Camden Recording Studios, “Baby Turtle” is a slow-burning, meditative tune featuring a shimmering and jangling guitar melody, a brooding bass line and dramatic, angular drum patterns serving as a lush bed for Moon’s breathtakingly gorgeous and achingly yearning vocal. Still drawing from post punk, “Baby Turtle” is anchored around a decidedly cinematic and dream pop leaning and a deep-seated yearning to be truly understood.

“‘Baby Turtle’ is a song about many things, and I have found that looking at it from different moments in my life since I wrote it has changed the way I perceive it,” Martina and the Moon’s Martina Moon explains. “It was originally meant to be just about baby turtles hatching and crawling down to the sea, Once I started researching turtles more I found that a very small percentage of the turtles who hatch make it to adulthood. They are such beautiful little creatures. I then look at it from where I am at the moment, just striving for self-fulfillment and trying to make a living far from my home and family, Maybe I am the baby turtle in the end. I made the choice of trying to pursue my music career, which was so hard to get people in my life to come to terms with. I feel like that’s an issue most people in the creative industry face at some point in their lives, especially when they don’t come from a wealthy background that allows them to fail at something without consequences. But when you love something so fiercly it lingers within your core. The narrator of the song is someone who wishes the best for that person who they love and is leaving, That person is my mum, that person is my best friend María from home, my teachers in high school or my younger self. I hope my potential isn’t wasted, but I am living my truest life.”