Dublin-based all-female four-piece rock band Martina and the Moons return with their striking new single ‘Laundry Mat’, out on Rubarb Music — the newly launched Irish artist development label from Grammy Award-winning producer and mix engineer Ruadhri Cushnan and music industry veteran and 2025 Dublin Entrepreneur of the Year, Shea McNelis.
‘Laundry Mat’ is a hooky, guitar-driven track that captures the band’s live energy and unflinching lyricism, while inviting listeners to connect on a deeply personal level.
The single coincides with Martina and the Moons playing two key new music showcases in Ireland: Output Music Conference, Belfast on September 25th and Ireland Music Week, Dublin on October 2nd.
Despite being relative newcomers, Martina and the Moons have already shared stages with the likes of Porridge Radio and Thumper, with standout performances at Whelan’s, Dublin and The Great Escape, Brighton.
Fronted by Scotland-born, Spanish-raised Martina Moon (vocals/songwriting), the band also features Sarah Morgan (guitar), Ruby Levins (bass) and Zahira Ellis (drums), bringing a fresh urgency to Dublin’s indie scene.
Influenced by Britpop and 90s alt-rock icons (Elastica, Catatonia, Blur) and classic singer-songwriters (Paul Simon, Carole King, Joni Mitchell), the band have carved out a sound that blends guitar-driven hooks with unflinching lyrical honesty. ‘Laundry Mat’ is an anthemic, up-tempo track capturing both the band’s electrifying live energy and their sharp, observant songwriting.
“The song was born out of frustration and alienation while doing something as mundane as my laundry,” says Martina. “That morning, I’d read about a domestic violence murder in my hometown. I remember standing there, staring at the washing machine, thinking about the absurdity of just carrying on. ‘Laundry Mat’ is about that sense of urgency and helplessness – a call to stop sleepwalking through life.”
Recorded and produced by Ruadhri Cushnan (Ed Sheeran, Mumford and Sons, Snow Patrol) and Elise Mollé at Camden Studios, ‘Laundry Mat’ delivers a raw yet polished sound that bridges the gap between the band’s incendiary live shows and the studio.
“We had been playing the song live for over two years, and it was a challenge to translate the loudness and emotion present in these performances to the recorded version. We had attempted to do it before but were unsuccessful. This time around, we were all in the room together, which helped immensely,” Martina explains.
With its blend of introspection, urgency and Britpop energy, ‘Laundry Mat’ promises to be Martina and the Moons’ boldest statement yet.