“I was open to a lot of different ideas this time out”, says Australian Alt Folk songstress Marta Pacek. This would explain the presence of electronic drumbeats on her brand new album Voodoo Dolls and False Alarms. After spending the past two years touring North America and Australia behind her last album Rebel Baby, Marta was ready to stretch and grow in the studio. Her new songs caught the interest of producer Brad Albetta (Martha Wainwright, Angus & Julia Stone, Glen Hansard) who also brought his bass playing and the aforementioned beats to the project. The potential heard on Rebel Baby has been harnessed and Marta’s new songs are a testament to her growing songwriting ability. The album starts off with the pulsating and haunting feel of “The Hunted”, then “Nothing Going On” begins with a surprising hip hop feel taking the listener on a journey back to 50s rock ‘n’ roll. “Favourite Thing” veers into Alt Country before pulling at your heartstrings with somber “Sometimes You Lose” and “Thar She Blows”. Marta nods to Fleetwood Mac in “All I Need” and “Not Leaving Here Alone” would feel right at home in a Tarantino soundtrack. Two stand out tracks are “Pass Me Over” where Marta channels Joan Baez and “One Day” which was written with noted songwriter Todd Clark (Pilot Speed, Philip Phillips, Goo Goo Dolls), there being an additional version of the song to end the album. Marta’s first songs were written and recorded with Mark Seymour, front man of legendary Australian group Hunters & Collectors. It’s clear his song crafting secrets were passed onto her. Since Toronto-based management lured her to Toronto in 2008, Marta has had an amazing journey. She won Best International Artist at the Barrie New Festival in 2009, Best Alt Country Song International at the Canberra Country Music Festival in 2011 and opened for David Cassidy in Phoenix. She currently splits her time between Australia and Canada when not touring. Her cover of Patty Griffin’s song “Nobody’s Crying” was featured on the ABC/Global series Rookie Blue, she’s written for the TV series Radio Man and licensed her music for film. All of which she hopes to do more off. And she’s toured. A lot. Bringing her music to her ever-growing fan base in Troubadoria – her live in touring van. She is a modern-day gypsy. With Voodoo Dolls and False Alarms, Marta has harnessed an abundance of experiences into an album of personal confessions and a sounds cape perfect for taking that long and reflective drive.