) A student at the
Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Ontario, Ladly was invited to join new wave band Martha and the Muffins in 1978. She became one of two vocalists and keyboardists named Martha in the band. The other Martha was
Martha Johnson, who sang lead on the majority of the group's songs, including their biggest hit, 1980's "
Echo Beach". Ladly played with the band from 1978 to 1980 and sang lead vocals on the group's seventh single, her composition "Was Ezo". Ladly left the band in August 1980 having been awarded an art scholarship. She subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom, releasing two solo singles ("Finlandia" and "
Light Years from Love") the latter featuring
Peter Hook on bass guitar. In addition to music, she worked in visual arts and design with designer
Peter Saville. Her painting
Factus 8 was used by Saville for the sleeve of
New Order's EP
1981–1982 (1982). During her time in England, while pursuing her twin interests in music and visual art, Ladly became friends with a number of popular British musical acts.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark credits Ladly for suggesting the titles of their 1981 hit album
Architecture & Morality and their 1984 hit single "
Tesla Girls". In 1982, Ladly provided backing vocals for
Roxy Music and joined cult Scottish
post-punk act
the Associates appearing with them on
Top of the Pops. She left the Associates in 1986 and subsequently worked with
Robert Palmer's band. In 1991, during which time she was known as Martha Ladly Hoffnung, she managed Anta's, 'a trend setting design business' in Portland Road,
Holland Park, London. Ladly was designer for the company which recoloured "authentic tartan patterns". From 1992 to 2001, she worked with
Peter Gabriel as the manager of Real World Design and editor of Real World Notes.
Solo discography • 1981 – "Finlandia" • 1983 – "
Light Years from Love" ==Academic career==