Martha Cinader is a poet and author living in Harlem, NY. Her middle grade book: Marq and the Queen Fish, is forthcoming in 2026 from Atmosphere Press.
Martha Cinader writes for her life. She is in a never-ending search for a new language of non-conquest, a new word for woman, and new ways to communicate. She calls out to the archetypes of our collective dreams that grow and change with us, and believes in their generous ability to shed light when we are surrounded by darkness. They answer her with words and sounds that surface and land on the page or stage as poetry or fairytale, memoir, play, novel or song.
Martha believes that listening is one of our greatest tools for peace and equity. Being heard is a human right. Listen & Be Heard has been through many iterations as a unique open mic event, a publication, a cafe, a website, and a podcast/syndicated radio show. The premise has always been simply to listen and be heard, and to provide a platform for others to do the same. Matha believes that We the People are the network. Martha reads widely and is in a never-ending public conversation with writers around the globe, who she learns from and is inspired by.
More History
Martha’s creative journey is rooted in the vibrant scenes of spoken word, jazz and dance music in 80’s and ’90s NYC. She performed original stories and poetry in homeless shelters, nightclubs and festivals, including to critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Panasonic Village Jazz Festival and the Bang on the Can Festival at Lincoln Center with Butch Morris’ Chorus of Poets. The original Listen & Be Heard, a unique poetic/musical/theatrical event, was started by Cinader at University of the Streets on 7th Street in the East Village and subsequently to the Knitting Factory and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. She also collaborated with Steve Cannon at A Gathering of the Tribes, on the magazine, forums and festivals, including the inaugural Charlie Parker Festival in Tompkins Square Park. Cinader produced a weekly arts magazine at WBAI Radio, wrote and produced the live radio dramas Marvelina and Mission of Love and brought the live recording of Fred Ho’s Monkey King at the Joseph Papp Theatre, to the WBAI airwaves .
Cinader is the founder and Director of the Listen & Be Heard Network, where she hosts and produces The Listen & Be Heard Hour, and Beyond Borders, both non-commercial podcasts and syndicated radio shows on the Pacifica Affiliate Network.
Martha took Listen & Be Heard through several iterations as a unique open mic event in New York and then Vallejo, CA, where it also became a weekly newspaper and poetry cafe. She headed south in 2009, where she raised her three young sons and managed six and half acres of fields, ponds and woods, and started the Listen & Be Heard Hour.
Now an empty nester, Martha has returned to her hometown of New York City where Listen & Be Heard Network has become a project of Sound System Culture, based in Harlem.
To Contact Martha Cinader about an appearance, recording or manuscript, please give as many details as possible and the best way to contact you. You will get a timely response if it is something that Martha can accommodate. To request an interview by Martha for the radio show, please refer to that web page for submission information.
“Cinader’s use of language is so seductive … you really don’t want her to stop.” – Catherine Fellows, The Scotsman
“…hilarious” – Publisher’s Weekly
If you’re a fan of Dana Bryant or Me’Shell Ndegeocello this is for you. Pure poetry in motion – quite literally – MixMag Usa
“a hip, beatnik Sesame Street for grown-ups.” – Neil Cooper, The List
Recordings
Living It! is Martha’s debut as producer and features an eclectic array of arrangements and musical styles. The album release also features the original mix from Cinader’s debut single on vinyl, “Living It,” and a rare live duo performance of “Rosebud” with the legendary teacher of Herbie Hancock, Chris Anderson on piano. BTW if you’re looking for the lyrics to “Living It!” or “King Leopold” they’re in this book, by Martha Cinader.
“Living It” The Remixes
Featuring Martha Cinader
Vinyl: Sub-Freak, BoC Mix, Victor Simonelli 8th Dimension mix, VJS acappella, Birth of Cool Deep Dub, Simonelli Beats
CD Compilations:
Cannabis Cafe, Ministry Mag. 2002
Pink Note 02, Universal Switzerland, 2001
Aphrodisiac, Universal France, 1999
Nu Jazz Generation, Clean Up Records, 1998
Reviews of Living It!
Kris Northey, “lovin’ it”
BLUES & SOUL
“…the kind of person that goes for her own ideas, style, feeling, interpretations, without giving in to commercially dictated styles. And that alone is great!”ez/mar 2000 http://www.freestylegrooves.com
MIXMAG USA
“This is a good marriage of spoken word and drum n’ bass. It’s fresh and definately a new take on things.”
—- DJ Marquess Wyatt, Feb.’98 issue 758
If you’re a fan of Dana Bryant or Me’Shell Ndegeocello this is for you. Pure poetry in motion – quite literally; DJ Jeannie Hopper has teamed with ‘wordologist’ (sic) Martha Cinader in a journey through life – mixing poetry with improvised-jazz, house-beats, techno-chords and drum n’ bass arrangements. Similarity the four remixes are equally eclectic moving from dub to trip-hop and house, and all working well within the song’s framework. Original and highly innovative. (LD)
Hi Martha
I’ve been listening to the words of “Living It” over and over and over again. What in the world could have inspired those words. THEY ARE DEEP!!!!!!!congrats Troy B.
Dance Music Authority
…On the “Living It” remixes, Victor Simonelli gives a classy minimalistic interpretation that clearly places Martha Cinader’s philosophical word-smithing in the centerstage; it bumps along at a lively 122 BPM pace with mellow synth stabs, subtle funky key work and a thick atmospheric texture. Simonelli also includes a beatless acapella and a bonus beats-only track so those whar are inclined may work their own turntable magic. Also included on this 12″ is Birth of Cool’s Deep Dub, a continuation of their Dub mix from the original 12″ that goes straight for the funk in a fluid, energetic U.K. deep house fashinon.
URB
Martha Cinader
Living It (Victor Simonelli Remix)
(LSL) Simonelli’s mixes transport this trippy spoken poem into the dreamy, drugged-out state it should have been presented in. Taken in with a blunt or in a smoky dark club, I think the effect will be the same, at least in theory. The VJS a cappella, with 808 sounds, harp and oscillating vintage keys, is dope. Kicks are to be had on he vox mix; they are as sedate as Simonelli’s original designs, but the ethereal mood vanishes a bit. The Pseudo a cappella is the joint. DJDK
Dance Music Authority
March ’98
” You know in this job as a reviewer, I listen to a LOT of vinyl, and it’s actually VERY rare when something really jumps out and grabs me as much as this piece did. DJ Jeannie Hopper and the LSL crew really caught my attention with this very creative project that marries some interesting spoken word-smithing with various jazz-rooted remixing styles. On the A side, even the drum n’ bass oriented Original mix appeals to me (usually not a genre that I would be drawn to), with its snappy drum programming, subtle booming bass, and sparse, dreamy instrumentation; John Ward (of Sub Dub fame) then offers his trippy Sub -Freak version, an eclectically sound -effected jazzy dub rendition that suits the philosophical musings of Martha Cinader quite well. But for a more uptempo dancing experience, I’d flip on over to Lars “lb” Behrenroth and Michael Carstensen’s deeper Birth of Cool House and Dub mixes. Swirling, dreamy atmospheric synths, bumpin’ key stabs, meandering jazzy vibe riffs, bubbling samba-ish bass lines and syncopated (at times) percussion over a pumpinhouse track-very well produced, giving Cinader’s poetic rambling a totally different framework in which to flow. I absolutely love this piece, and I hear Tony Humphries is also a fan of the BOC mixes. For more info, check out Hopper’s LSL website at http://www.liquidsoundlounge.com.”
**** -Margaret Coble
DJ Tony Humpheries Hot 97, NYC – In Rotation 5 weeks straight
DJ Doc Martin, Los Angeles-“Interesting Changes in deep bass mix. All mixes are Good” – Heavy Play!
DJ John Alvarado, WVUM-Power 96, Miami – “Wicked Concept. This is Phatness required for my People”
DJ Bruce Wilcox, WOMB & Spec’s Music, Miami -“It’s Cool. Original for my radio show!”
Phil Turnipseed, DJ Times, NYC – Reminiscent of the Daou’s “Surrender Yourself”.
DJ A-Gram, Diesel Store, NYC – “Dope Spoken Word, Dope Instrumental, Dope Record!!” Original Mix
DJ Pope, Baltimore – “Good job…Keep it Up!” Liquid Side
DJ Nickodemus, Giant Step, NYC – “Uplifting Vocals. Nice Deep Feel” Original Mix & Liquid Side
Brian Shutta, Scratch Pad, Milwaukee – “I like the different genre’s of mixes on one piece of vinyl.” BOC DUB
DJ Aou, Step Ahead/12″ Dance, D.C. – “tony edward’s kickass again on keys.” Original & Liquid side
DJ Cozmic Cat, Philadelphia – “Reminds me of Dana Bryant. Go Girl!!” Sub Freak & BOC Mix
DJ John Curley, Chicago – “Dig’m all, but programming BOC mixes”
Tony Aco, Choctaw, OK – “The dub is deep…I’m Loving It!”
DJ Dealer, Denver – Wearing it out! “Lovely, Lovely, Lovely!!” Liquid Side
DJ Garth – Hardkiss, San Francisco – “Fresh” Liquid Side
DJ Niven – Hardkiss, San Francisco – “Lovely vocal, sensible lyrics..punched with rhythm” Sub – Freak mix
DJ Dove, WPSC, New Jersey – “This Record is pretty cool and very different” BOC Mixes
Jason Hodges, CKLN, Scarborough, Canada – “Love it ..poetry over top slammin beats a welcome change!”
Neil Aline, WNYU, NYC – “Good Job! I will play the original!!”
Mike McCloud, Discovery Disco KDBF, LR, AR – “2 Words…THE BOMB!”
CJ @VybeMuzik, Miami – “give me mood, give me feelings, give me drama, that’s what living it is about”
Kevin @VybeMuzik, Miami – “I’m very impressed..it’s lyrically & musically deep..I’m Living It!”
DJ Snowhite, Beach Radio, Miami – ” sooo smoooth & sensual. Keep the �abstracicity’ coming.”
Hot Wax Harley, WKNC/WXYC, Durham, NC -“My God!! WOW GAVE ME CHILLS!! HOOK-HIT-HOOK-HIT”
Trevor Nicholas, WRUW, Cleveland -“BOC workin’”
DJ Boom Bip, WAIF, Cinncinati-“I like what LSL Records are all about. Always Supportin’” all mixes.
Luis Lopez, WCRX, Chicago – “Love the product. Record Sounds Phat & definately movin’ the masses”
DJ Jezus Juice, Net Radio, Minneapolis – “Great Record! Great Mixes! all Workin”
DJ Sun, KPFT, Houston-“Lovin’ the Jazzy Drum and Bass!”
DJ E-Live, KRTM, Temecula, CA – “A hypnotic blend of beats, grooves and poetry”
Einstein’s Mind, 2017
Mella and the Python Healer, 2014
Unnamed Flower, 2014
New York City Blues, 2013
Lasting:
Maxim’s De Paris, Wagram, 2002
Pound Boys Featuring Martha Cinader, LSL, Vinyl, 2000
When the Body Calls:
Acid Jazz, CD Comp. 2001
Turntables on the Hudson, CD Comp. 1999
Freedom Sound Remixes, LSL, Vinyl, 1999
Books
Blurbs by Heather Osborne, Neil Cooper, Catherine Fellows, Merlin Stone, Steve Cannon
“Dreamscape: Real Dreams Really Make a Difference by Martha Cinader is something I would recommend for teachers wanting to bring history alive for their students.”
–Heather Osborne – Readers’ Favorite
“…a hip beatnick Sesame Street for grown-ups.”
– Neil Cooper, The List
“Cinader’s use of language is so seductive and her rhythmic, rapping voice so caressing, that you really don’t want her to stop.”
– Catherine Fellows, The Scotsman
“Martha Cinader has the rare ability and talent to bring ancient tales to life for contemporary readers and audiences. If history classes had been this witty and bright, I would have paid more attention.”
– Merlin Stone, author of When God Was a Woman and Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood
“The challenge of being a woman, being a lover, a mother, a user of words, of metaphors, signs and symbols in this postmodern age in terms of one’s self identity can easily lead to rage. These stories, poems, and memoirs are not simply told, but as you read and listen to them, they easily unfold and innervate one’s soul, the spirit.”
–Steve Cannon, Publisher A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine
Video Book Trailer
Transcripts of recorded interviews for WBAI/Pacifica Radio 1995 – 1999.
I received many books from publishers all seeking publicity for their titles. I was in the comfortable position of choosing the ones that most interested me. Now, I recognize that these books and authors were part of my education, and my line of questioning an indication of the themes that I am concerned with.
- Rudolfo Anaya —Zia SUmmer
- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni — Sister of My Heart
- Russel Banks — Cloudsplitter
- Nora Okja Keller — Comfort Woman
- Dr. Leonard Shlain — The Alphabet Veresus the Goddess
- Barbara Chase-Riboud — The President’s Daughter
- A.A. Carr — Eye Killers
- Lan Cao — Monkey Bridge
- Hal Sirowitz — My Therapist Said
- Kate Horsley — Crazy Woman
- Dennis McFarland — A Face at the Window
When the Body Calls
Out of Print. Limited number available from the Author
$12.00
Book Blurbs by Edwin Torres, Hal Sirowitz, Fiona Giles, Kate Horsley, Bob Holman, Lan Cao, Steve Cannon
This book is a vessel/holding liquid for thirsty desirers/in the empty spiral of the universe/where detail is opinion/one moment is all it takes to answer/when the body calls. This book is just one answer in a life of calling. The storyteller lives inside the breath of home. Whatever home is chosen, whatever breath is owned. The desirer takes the moment we’re in and stretches out its every wrinkle. In the folds are new horizons, exploding the every day, line by line-inwards, so the shards are sort of slo-mo in their entry into gravity…We’re brought into the world of the writer. Storytelling becomes a cycle within the writing, returning us to the beginning, where the ending is: “there is so much to do / and so much I am leaving undone.” This is just one aspect of Martha Cinader’s life. A complex desire for simplicity, which takes time and explodes it, line by line.
-from the foreword by Edwin Torres
“When you cook chicken you have to stick a fork in it to tell if it’s done, but you don’t have to do that to Cinader’s poems. They’re raw and cooking at the same time. She’s like a female Sun Ra who can coax words out of her saxophone. She never omits any detail even when she’s taking us to another stratosphere. When the Body Calls is daring and unflinching. An important body of work.”
-Hal Sirowitz, author of Mother Said and My Therapist Said “
When the Body Calls is an urban livre compose that leaves no pavement stone unturned in telling its tale of a young poet-mother ejected from her father’s suburban mansion onto the stark concrete plains of Manhattan. Her daughter, her mother, her lovers, her ambition, her desires — all are embraced with a revolutionist’s ardor as she assembles her story around her like a rambling house. Its rooms are built from poetry, letters, fairy tales, dreamscapes, journal entries and stories. And through its windows Cinader can be seen to whirl in an enticing dervish beneath her veil of words, seducing all visitors with her “body of need…of dreams…of people.”
-Fiona Giles, editor of Dick for a Day
“Martha Cinader’s boldly unique When the Body Calls is a collection of poems and prose to be savored by those thirsty for art and intelligence. There is magic here. The reader will dive into a cool ocean of Cinader’s sensuality and sharply honest creativity. There are dangerous currents of truth in these depths that ultimately are refreshing and stimulating. And there are also the tender and universal longings of mother, lover, artist and activist. Each piece is a treasure of a different shape and color.”
-Kate Horsely, author of Crazy Woman and A Killing in New Town
“Hold everything! is what you’re doing right now, for this book contains multitudes. MC Martha Cinader herewith enters the realms of bookography with a slingshot satellite launch of new groove. Hear the jazz, there the battlefield of love, and everything in between your hands, your hands. Genre-busting from perfpo to prosepo, I tell you this — Martha C meshes body organs and imagination in an arena of politics from the inside out. Hail, Poet of the Future!”
-Bob Holman-Mouth Almighty Records, Author of Collect Call of the Wild “
In style and substance both provocative and original, When the Body Calls is a both a challenge and a pleasure to read. Martha is a poet whose sensual prose takes us into a world full of complex questions.”
-Lan Cao, author of Monkey Bridge
“The challenge of being a woman, being a lover, a mother, a user of words, of metaphors, signs and symbols in this postmodern age in terms of one’s self identity can easily lead to rage. These stories, poems, and memoirs are not simply told, but as you read and listen to them, they easily unfold and innervate one’s soul, the spirit.”
-Steve Cannon, Publisher A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine and the novel Groove, Bang and Jive Around.
Anthologies, Magazines
Bandit Queen Press, on-line journal edited by Lesley-Ann Brown, 2023
Martha Cinader contributed two poetic versions of How to Divorce Your Mother
Word, An Anthology, A Gathering of the Tribes, 2017, Featuring 50 never-before-seen poems by the luminary writers who helped shape the East Village arts & culture organization.
Note Poems by Martha Cinader: Note to Hang Up, Note to People, Note from Physician, Note to State.
A Gathering of the Tribes on-line journal, 2016
Martha Cinader contributed the poem/story Dear Pedro
Rabbit and Rose, Issue 5, on-line journal edited by Kim Shuck, 2015
Story/poem by Martha Cinader, Clear Lake
Oakland Out Lout, Poetry and Prose in Celebration of ‘There’, Jukebox Press, 2007, Edited by Karla Brundage and Kim Shuck, Among the contributors: Floyd Salas, Sharon Doubiago, Ishmael Reed, Opal Palmer Adisa, Kim Addonizio, Lucha Corpi, Lucille Lang Day, Marianne Villanueva, Al Young, Doren Robbins
Martha Cinader contributed the poem: when the white spider pounces.
A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine, Issue 11, 2004
Martha Cinader contributed the poem for Butch Morris: New York City Skyscraper
Dick for a Day, Villard; Second Printing edition (February 25, 1997), Language: English, edited by Fiona Giles, published in US, UK and Australia, and in translation in Germany and Japan.
Martha Cinader, pen name Senator Sin, contributed the story/poem 1-800-YOR-DICK
-In a hilarious poem, Senator Sin imagines that by calling the number “1-800-YOR-DICK” she participates in a study in which women are given penises and then report the results (with the poignant coda, “A few/ never returned/ their dicks,/ moved away/ from family/ and friends,/ and are assumed/ to be passing/ as men.”).– PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lord Buckley, the life, the art, the fabulous times, homage website to Lord Buckley
Martha Cinader contributes the story Tesla Vision in the homage section of this homage site, also, an interview of Martha Cinader by Walt Stempek and Michael Monteleone, 2000
A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine, Issue 7, 1997
Martha Cinader contributed Writers of the Southwest, interviews with Rudolfo Anaya and Kate Horsley
A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine, Issue 6, 1996
Martha Cinader contributed the poem: Birds and Guns
Martha Cinader 