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Martha WashThe Two-time Grammy Nominee Performs One Night
Only at City Winery Chicago
Martha Wash is set to captivate audiences at City Winery Chicago on Friday, May 2, with a one-night-only performance marking the Midwest kickoff of her highly anticipated The Love and Conflict Tour. Best known for iconic hits like "It’s Raining Men" and "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now),"
Wash will usher in the season of love with an unforgettable evening showcasing her signature powerhouse vocals and heartfelt passion. Fans can expect a mesmerizing journey through
romantic and deeply moving songs from her acclaimed Love & Conflict album. We spoke with the legendary vocalist from her home in New York.
Robert Hasselow:You started your musical journey singing gospel in church and later studied opera. Do those early influences find their way into your performances today, particularly on this tour?
Martha Wash: Oh, absolutely. You’ll always hear a bit of gospel in my music—it’s in my DNA, darlin’. Even though Love & Conflict leans more into soul, rock, blues, and jazz, that gospel foundation is always there. For instance, songs like “Never Enough Money”, “Like Fire”, and “Honey My Friend” have that fiery intensity, and that’s where the gospel influence shines through. Funny that you mention opera.
While Love & Conflict doesn’t have any operatic elements, I did bring that approach to my cover of “Dream On” by Aerosmith, which is on my Something Good album. But for Love & Conflict, it’s really all
about channeling that raw, bluesy, soulful, rock energy that I hope my core fans can get behind.
RH: How does performing songs from Love & Conflict compare to belting out anthems like “It’s Raining Men” on stage?
MW: Performing songs from Love & Conflict feels different because they’re more personal and emotional. With songs like It’s Raining Men, it’s all about the energy and celebration. But with Love & Conflict, I’m connecting with the audience in a deeper, more vulnerable way. It’s still powerful, just in a different way.
RH: What makes City Winery the perfect venue for this special one night performance?
MW: This is my first time performing at any of the City Winery locations, but Chicago’s City Winery just felt like a good fit. It has an intimate vibe where you get to connect with the audience, and that’s exactly what I want for this show. It’s the perfect spot to share the new music from Love & Conflict in a way that feels personal and laid-back.
RH: Let’s talk about the album. Love & Conflict represents a bold departure from your dance music roots. What inspired you to explore blues-rock and adult contemporary sounds on this album?
MW: I've always been a fan of so many different genres, and I wanted to create an album that showcased that versatility. With Love & Conflict, I had the freedom to step outside the
dance music world and explore a rawer, more organic sound. Gospel, blues, rock, and soul have always
been a part of my foundation, and this album gave me the space to lean into those influences.
RH: It delves into themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience. Is there a particular song on Love & Conflict that resonates most deeply with you on a personal level?
MW: Every song on Love & Conflict is personal, but “Never Enough Money” really stands out. It
talks about greed and struggle, and it hits close to home for me, especially in these immediate times
we’re facing.
RH: Did any of the tracks push you outside of your comfort zone?
MW: There were definitely moments during the recording of “Like Fire” and “Never Enough
Money” where I had to step outside my comfort zone. Both tracks required a raw energy and intensity
that I wasn’t used to bringing to the table. My producers pushed me to open up emotionally, especially with how I delivered the vocals. It wasn’t easy, but once I allowed myself to feel the power behind the songs, everything clicked. It was challenging, but in the end, it was exactly what the songs needed.
RH: Your songs have been featured in countless films and commercials. If you could choose a song from Love & Conflict to be the soundtrack for a movie, which track would it be and why?
MW: That's a good question! I believe all of the songs from Love & Conflict could be licensed in film, as
well as theatre, TV, and commercials. It truly depends on the project, right? But I'm here for
the collaborations, darlins'!
RH: Over the years, you’ve collaborated with some of the biggest names in music. If you
could duet with any artist—past or present —on a Love & Conflict track, who would it
be and why?
MW: My favorite artist was Aretha, so I’d have to say her. She had such a naturally soulful voice,
rooted in gospel, and she could sing anything. If I had to pick a song, I’d go with “Glamour Flows”—
I think we could’ve really rocked that one together.
RH: What excites you most about the summer ahead?
MW: What excites me most is hitting the road, sharing the music with the fans, meeting new ones, and getting their feedback on the show. It’s been a minute since I’ve toured with my
own show.
R H: For fans who have followed you since the early days of Two Tons O’ Fun and The Weather Girls, what message do you hope they take away from this tour?
MW: For the fans who’ve been with me since the Two Tons O’ Fun and Weather Girls days, I just want to say thank you for sticking with me all these years. I hope that they’ll feel the heart and soul in the music on this tour and know that we’ve all been through some of the same struggles and joys. I want them to know that I’m still here, still doing what I love, and I appreciate their support more than they’ll ever know.
Tickets for Martha Wash: The
Love and Conflict Tour at City
Winery Chicago are on sale now at
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