Find an artist
Born in London to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a bassist, producer and DJ. Exceeding 35 million Spotify streams as a session bassist for the likes of Yazmin Lacey, Oscar Jerome and Obongjayar, Marla released her highly-anticipated debut EP ‘All That We Have’ last November, preceded by four singles championed by the likes of Crack Magazine, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova, Shanti Celeste, Gilles Peterson and many more. It’s safe to say her musical career is as diverse as her influences: her music features a unique blend of live Latin percussion, Theo Parrish-style groove, and driving basslines and guitar riffs inspired by her West African heritage. The EP was heralded by Bandcamp Daily as some of ‘The Best Electronic Music of November 2023’, and the closing track ‘BTR2’ is one of DJ Mag’s Top Tracks of 2023.
Since launching the EP with two packed-out live shows – at Strange Brew in Bristol and NinetyOne Living Room in London – Marla has been playing shows consistently: 2024 had gigs at The Jazz Cafe, Shambala, London Jazz Festival, The Trinity Centre and Jazz Stroud to name a few. These came after a year of touring the world as Loyle Carner’s bassist – and even supporting his 2023 US tour as a DJ. She has already secured bookings for Cross The Tracks, The Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, The Roundhouse and Brick Lane Jazz Festival for 2025. She’ll also be joining Little Simz on her upcoming world tour, following a stellar performance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.
Marla released through Saffron Records, the Bristol-based label and respected non-profit organisation making considerable waves in innovative music tech circles, on a mission to uplift women, trans and non-binary artists.
“Subtle, restrained, gently mystical and almost casually otherworldly… tunes like ‘BTR2’ take us right back to the pure beating heart of the funk, its potent, mesmerising soft power capable of transporting a room of dancers to groove nirvana.” – Harold Heath, DJ Mag
