In the musical melting pot of Music City, artists arrive to both give and take to the always evolving Nashville sound. Marta Polombo is a “giver” whose background brings with her a sophisticated style that is easy to embrace and certainly of influence.  Check out the lovely lyric video for “Raining in Paris.”

In addition to her own award-winning recordings (a 2020 Vox Pop Award), Marta’s musical resume includes singing backup for Josh Groban which saw her grace the large local stages of the Schermerhorn and Bridgestone. However, it’s the small rooms around town from where she has quickly built a strong local following.

Thanks, Marta, for visiting 11 Questions. “Raining in Paris” is in strong rotation here and will be for a while!  Interested folks should sign-up for The Drawing Room” at Marta’s website to receive an email of musical goodies the first Thursday of every month.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I am originally from Italy! My parents and I moved to the US when I was younger. I moved to Nashville to go to college and pursue music, and I absolutely fell in love with this city.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

When I went to Colorado last summer, I grabbed an old vinyl out of a box of “free records” in front of a record shop. It’s a compilation of choral songs written from letters of soldiers, really beautiful. And the first album I ever bought was digital, and I believe it was one of Taylor Swift’s albums on iTunes!

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

First concert was… well, do musicals count? My first musical was Hairspray, and my first live concert was Starkid. The last concert I went to was La Rappresentante Di Lista, in Italy this past summer.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

I know so many amazing fellow indie artists in this city. Connor Schenk, Life in A Tree, Mary Moore, Kat Saul, Natalie Layne, Walker Burroughs, and I’m sure I’m forgetting so many other amazing friends!

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Coffee: Headquarters or Honest Coffee.

Pizza: Pizza Perfect.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Well, I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan so I gotta say her early albums. But also, Flowers for Vases by Hayley Williams is one of my favorite works ever.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Honestly, I very rarely stay out super late even after shows. The best place to eat and drink late at night is my living room, chilling with a bunch of friends and bandmates. I have been to Cook Out a few times after shows though, so I guess that’s something.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

Emily Weisband, Natalie Layne, and Walker Burroughs.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The Pitch Meeting is always so much fun! Plus, the Bowery Vault is a great time, and the Schermerhorn is always so beautiful and surreal.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here.

Well, I would say Florence Welch, but London just fits her too well.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

Some super interesting projects that make my soul happy! “Raining In Paris” will be getting a lyric video, which is fun. After that, I’m finishing up two songs that are basically character studies on the women in Picasso’s life, mainly Olga, his wife, and Marie Therese, his lover. We’re also filming music videos for those two songs at an art gallery here in town.