"It shouldn't mean anything because the first blues were sung by women Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey etc. The vision from the point of view that it isn't to be a female artist in a man's artistic world, the vision and should be about a cultural and educational change in our society towards women. The status of a woman in music is the same as that of a man. The status of women in the world currently seems to be accepting their role."

Sweet Marta: Tot Sobre el Blues

Sweet Marta (Marta Suñé) is the only female harmonica player on the blues harmonica scene in the entire Spanish state. She comes from Salt, a town in Girona located in the northeast of Catalonia. Her discovery of her genre is linked to that of the harmonica, at the age of 22, being a double passion and causing the artist to occupy a very prominent place in the field of state blues in a few years. Sweet Marta blows and stomps hard on stage, daring without complexes. That's why Sweet Marta has shared the stage and has been invited by great artists of the national and international blues scene such as Paul Orta, Greg Izor, Victor Puertas, Joan Pau Cumellas, Nico Wayne Toussaint, Knock Out Greg, among others. Little by little, Sweet Marta is a referent for many harmonica lovers and receives good reviews from leading harmonica players that she herself follows.

(Sweet Marta personifies humility, constancy and respect for what she does / Photo by Nacho Landeras)

Currently Sweet Marta is making her way through Europe and outside Europe. Two of her projects are: Sweet Marta & The Blues Shakers, a great domain of language and authenticity when transmitting it and they show us that the roots of blues are still alive, interpreting artists such as George Harmonica Smith, Koko Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland and Junior Wells; and Johnny Big Stone & Sweet Marta, one of the few acoustic duos in Spain playing "Old Blues" and representing the sound essence of the time.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Well, my views of the world doesn't change much for the better but now with the blues, with my blues, I've got found a place where I can take refuge!

What touched you from the sound of harmonica? How do you describe your sound and songbook?

The sound of harmonica is very expressive and deep is for that, I think, this instrument is ideal for the Blues also deep and expressive. I think in my case my love about this instrument is linked to the Blues.

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Spain?

Because is passion and deep music and very cool music that always explains real feelings...

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Well, mainly when I moved from my city of Girona to another bigger city Barcelona. Where there were good Blues musicians and more concerts and jam sessions for to learn...Later when I met my musical partner guitarist Johnny BigStone. With all this I became a professional because I was very well surrounded.

"The sound of harmonica is very expressive and deep is for that, I think, this instrument is ideal for the Blues also deep and expressive. I think in my case my love about this instrument is linked to the Blues." (Sweet Marta aka Marta Suñé & Johnny BigStone on stage / Photo by Nacho Landeras)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

In reality nothing because the blues keep still alive...I think I miss most the kind of people before! My fear is that there are no young people who will one day be replaced by blues musicians in Spain (and I think it is the same in almost the entire world). Although I have hope that good music never disappears.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

I reaffirmed that humility is everything and gives you everything you need.

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

It shouldn't mean anything because the first blues were sung by women Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey etc. The vision from the point of view that it isn't to be a female artist in a man's artistic world, the vision and should be about a cultural and educational change in our society towards women.

The status of a woman in music is the same as that of a man. The status of women in the world currently seems to be accepting their role.

What's the balance in music between technique and soul? What is the role of Blues in today’s society?

In my case more soul than technique. The Blues is a feeling...

Role of the Blues in today's society? I don't know. It isn't a style of large masses of people who love blues. But all Blues lovers are very loyal. The rest of society doesn't know.

Sweet Marta Harmonica - Home

(Sweet Marta, the only female blues harmonica player in Spain / Photo by Juan Luis Garcia)