Martine Locke

Born in a caravan park in Australia's Outback, Martine Locke has literally emerged from nowhere. Her name, chosen from a phone book, today evokes these responses from music reviewers: "sharp, powerful, skilled voice" - The West Magazine "brash and powerful" - The Australian "a virtuosic, magical guitar player" - X Press Magazine Masterful guitar combined with a captivating voice and witty, acerbic humor, Martine Locke spent her early career, singing and speaking in high schools around Australia.

"sharp, powerful, skilled voice" - The West Magazine

"brash and powerful" - The Australian

"a virtuosic, magical guitar player" - X Press Magazine


Masterful guitar combined with a captivating voice and witty, acerbic humor, Martine Locke spent her early career, singing and speaking in high schools around Australia. During this time she released, "Superstars". Recorded on her guitar in one take, the songs received airplay on a local radio station that was inundated with people requesting copies and asking 'who was that' for two hours after they were played. Inspired by interest, Martine went on to record "Living in this Moment", her first CD which sold over 8,000 copies and launched her career as an independent artist.

In 1996, she formed the award-winning Australian duo, The Velvet Janes. Releasing 4 CDs on her own label, they hit the Australian charts, enjoyed commercial and public radio airplay around the world, opened for artists such as Ani Di Franco, Arlo Guthrie, Tommy Emmanuel, John Butler Trio and The Cowboy Junkies, and have toured the US and Australia, playing festivals and clubs nationwide.

Martine has gone on to release three solo cds including Fly, On The Verge and in 2008, Undone. Each recording develops and pushes the envelope of her signature driving acoustic guitar and lyrics more piercingly honest than ever, her tunes range from sultry to rock to acoustic with an edge.

Continuing with the success of running her own label (selling 80,000 CDs to date), all three cds have been released on Passionfruit Produce. Maintaining artistic integrity is what it is all about.

This Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist is a one-woman operation: publicist, manager, booking agent, record label owner, visionary, producer and artist. And in the fine tradition of hard working DYI artists, Martine continues to perform over 150 shows a year at festivals, colleges, clubs and in living rooms across the country.

Simply put, she's independent by name, and independent by nature.