Life moves in mysterious ways. While we would like to believe we are in complete control, then something completely unexpected happens that reminds us perhaps we are not. A wake-up call to remain humble and grateful and realize just how special it is to open your eyes each morning; for Dorothy Martin, this moment came when one of her guitar techs overdosed and tragically died before miraculously breathing again.
It was an event that Martin will never soon forget. Changing everything, she soon took it as a sign of inspiration to make the most of her talents to spread positivity, hope, and strength to those needing it most in the form of Rock-n-Rolll. Blessed with a powerful, dynamic voice, Martin has been making waves across the Rock scene for a decade now with her band DOROTHY. First putting out Rockisdead in 2016 and 28 Days in the Valley in 2018, a progression began to occur with 2022’s Gifts From The Holy Ghost, which has only blossomed into something epic with 2025’s The Way.
DOROTHY’s latest album, The Way, explores hope, redemption, and fighting through the darkest moments in life, all with some of the heaviest brands of Hard Rock the band has ever produced. Excited and grateful to be where she is, Dorothy Martin took some time to chat about her journey in music, seeking deeper purpose, and much more.
Cryptic Rock – You have been working hard in Rock-n-Roll for some time now. Believe it or not, it has almost been a decade since you released your album, 2016’s Rockisdead. Before we dive into the new music, how would you describe this really incredible journey you have been on?
Dorothy Martin – It’s been a roller coaster. It’s been wild. There was a big turning point with the last album, and I think I’m just hitting this awesome stride with The Way. One day at a time, and trust the process. That’s how I’ve gotten through the last decade. It’s had its ups and downs, but it’s been really worth it.
Cryptic Rock – That is a very wise outlook. When you and the band came out about a decade ago, there was a lot of buzz surrounding it. Rightfully so, you have a really powerful voice, and you were creating some great Rock-n-Roll. It has been interesting to see how you developed through the years.
Dorothy Martin – Well, thank you. I’m trying to grow every day as a person, make good art, and make music that helps and inspires people. That’s really become my mission. I’m super proud of this record. Scott Stevens really helped me come out of my shell as an artist and a songwriter. I had such an awesome team to help put this together. I’m very proud of The Way. I’m very excited about it, and I hope the fans love it. So far, I’ve been getting incredible feedback, and I can’t wait to go on tour and play it for them.
Cryptic Rock – You should be proud of this new album; it came out very well. You talk about the last record, 2022’s Gifts from the Holy Ghost, as a turning point. That record had a very spiritual feel to it. It was almost like an awakening, in a way. We all go through different phases in our life. We think we have it figured out, but we really do not. Then, we have almost an epiphany, which makes us feel reinvigorated. What was that like for you, having that awakening and almost a rebirth of yourself as a human being?
Dorothy Martin – Gifts from the Holy Ghost were really just the tip of the iceberg. Everything changed. I had the pleasure and opportunity to witness a miracle on my tour bus. Our tech overdosed on heroin and died. I wasn’t religious or anything, but we were like, “Let’s pray over this guy. We got to pray for him.” He was revived. The night before that, I was like, “God, if you’re real, I need you to reveal yourself.” Since then, we’ve even gone into deeper waters in spirituality with this album.
I’m just sharing my testimony. I’ve been born again, and I got baptized a few years ago. I want to get baptized every year if I can. I’ve really partnered with God on this album, and it feels so good. I get to tell my journey and my story. I think it’s relatable to people from all walks of life and meet them where they’re at. That’s really important that people feel seen, heard, and know that they’re loved and taken care of, even at times when they don’t feel like it.
My intention with The Way was to reach out to fans and give them a sense of hope. I also tell my story: the ups and downs, the warfare, and then the highs. Songs like “Superhuman” literally feel like you’re spreading your wings and flying, and not on your own power. I can’t do that. I’m just an imperfect human being who makes mistakes, but I’m taking it one day at a time.
I’m just so proud of the album. It feels good to tell my story. Also, it’s the heaviest record we’ve made in some senses, in some songs. I really dug into my roots. There’s this outlaw Country vibe to it that I love. I wanted to really dig into Southern Rock. Still, there are some heavy songs that the Rock fans probably really want to hear. It ends with a ballad. There’s a good balance on this record.
Cryptic Rock – There is most certainly is, and your story leading up to The Way is inspiring. To your point, it could be one of the heaviest records the band has ever done to date. The album also builds upon what you did with Gifts from the Holy Ghost from a spiritual standpoint.
Some people freak out when they hear the word God or the idea of any sort of religious connotation. This is not a preachy thing, though. It is more about realizing your self-worth, grounding yourself, and making yourself a better human being. Who can’t get behind that?
Dorothy Martin – Absolutely. It’s definitely not a preachy thing. If you want to bring Jesus into the picture, he met people where they were. In a way, he kind of upset religion.
We’re not a Christian band. It’s not a religious thing. I cannot write songs without looking for an opportunity to plant a seed of hope somewhere or tell a story of overcoming something painful and hard. To me, you have this opportunity to use a microphone and the music. I think you should steward it wisely as a songwriter.
I’ve been given the responsibility. I’ve prayed about it a lot, and I’ve thought about it a lot. I just try to be transparent and tell my story. At the same time, make good music and plant a good message in there. It really all started with the last record. Like I said, that was the tip of the iceberg. Before that, I didn’t think that deep at all. I just was like, “I want to make Rock and Roll.” It was all about me and my selfish desires.
Now, it’s like, “Okay. You have a lot of people listening, and a lot of them are broken and hurting, just like I was.” I do it for the little girl in me, but I do it for the fans, too. It’s important to think about music that way. It’s an opportunity to send a message of healing and uplifting. That’s what I try to do, and that’s what I’m going to do moving forward.
Cryptic Rock – There is a lot of positivity in that. As you said, you have this powerful vehicle to convey a message in Rock-n-Roll music. On top of that, you have a really exceptional voice. The more in-depth lyrics and more in-depth thought into the context of the songs make your voice even more powerful.
With The Way, you are very honest and candid. What is it like performing these songs that really mean something to your soul like this?
Dorothy Martin – Oh, it’s wonderful. When the Holy Spirit takes over, for me, it’s like I have wings. It’s bigger than me. I’m just a vessel, and I’m delivering it. At the same time, you remember you’re on a grind; you’re on tour, and you have to take care of yourself. You’re a human being. Your soul is part of your whole makeup.
You just have this human body, and it has limitations. I look at myself as if I were an athlete. I got to take care of myself, run, eat healthy, and sleep. I pray a lot and drink a lot of water. That seems to be working just fine.
Cryptic Rock – Very good to hear. The Way as a whole is balanced. However, let’s jump to the last song, which is a ballad. It is really beautiful with just your voice, piano, and acoustic guitar. Tell the story about that song because that song sticks out in the end.
Dorothy Martin – Yeah. I took the album title, which I knew was “The Way,” and I texted the 4 Horsemen (Blair Daly, Marti Frederiksen, Scott Steven, and Zac Maloy), and I said, “The album is called The Way. I know that much.” When I went to Nashville to start writing with the guys, Blair Daly said, “I was really inspired by your title, and I wrote this ballad called ‘The Way.'” Everyone was in tears. Everyone was so moved by it. I can’t take a whole lot of credit because Blair gave me this gift. I added some words on the bridge about the way I drank way too much when all I needed was love. That’s very personal to me. I felt, “Perfect way to end the album.”
Cryptic Rock – It certainly is. As more people hear The Way, they will really enjoy it. As you mentioned, you have received good feedback thus far. You have touring planned, too, correct?
Dorothy Martin – That’s correct. We start April 16th in Nashville at the Brooklyn Bowl. On March 21st, we had a show at the El Rey in Los Angeles with our friend Slash. That was exciting! Then, The Redemption Tour starts in Nashville. No pressure, though. Music City. (Laughs) Takes a while to get warmed up, but we have a lot of friends there, so it’ll be good.
Cryptic Rock – It will be an exciting tour. It will be really fun to watch you perform these songs live. Now, you talk about Los Angeles. Are you currently based there?
Dorothy Martin – I’m in Southern California half the time, Nashville half the time, or on tour. I’m all over the place, which is fun. It’s pretty freeing not to be stuck in one place all the time. I don’t know if I could ever do that.
Cryptic Rock – Understood. Sometimes, it is fun to go to different places, see different things, and experience different life experiences. Originally, you were born in Hungaria, right?
Dorothy Martin – Yes, I was born in Budapest, Hungary, and came to the US when I was three or four. I’m a US citizen.
Cryptic Rock – That is very interesting. Obviously, you were very young when you relocated to America.
Dorothy Martin – Yes, but I know from my family. I’ve visited Hungary. It’s definitely a culture shock. It’s different. They have amazing food, and the city is so beautiful. It’s so stunning. They film a lot of movies in that city. Underworld (2003) was filmed in Budapest.
Cryptic Rock – That is right! Have you visited there since your childhood?
Dorothy Martin – Yes, several times. I would go there with my mom in the summer for a bit to visit family. It was awesome.
Cryptic Rock – That is very cool. To go back to you talking about being open and honest about feeling selfish in the past, having this new life, and being born again, it feels like we are living in a world where people don’t want to embrace any sort of spirituality. It seems like their only spirituality is a cell phone or an electronic device. Not to judge, but it seems like the world is in a tragic place right now. What do you think about all that?
Dorothy Martin – I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised at how many people around me are like-minded. It seems to be making a move and sweeping because we went through a pretty dark and heavy time, especially during COVID. I say whenever there’s a move of darkness, there’s a bigger move of God. I feel we’re actually about to have a big breakthrough in revival.
I would encourage you to have some hope and faith and start looking for the still, small voice and the handprint of God on everything in your life. He’s ordered your steps, and everything is divinely orchestrated. That’s what I believe. Everyone has a purpose, big or small. It doesn’t matter. We’re all equal in his eyes, and he loves us all individually very much. Be encouraged because there are a lot of people out there that think and see like I do. They’re there. You just have to look for them and ask for them.
Cryptic Rock – Your positivity is contiguous and appreciated. Sometimes, it is hard to have that positive attitude when you see the world around you. Having faith is all about, and that is how we move forward. If you just give up and believe there is no hope, then what is the point? Then you have already lost.
Dorothy Martin – Yeah. Like I said, I’m in recovery. There’s a saying, “I’d rather go through my whole life believing I’m an alcoholic and doing recovery than being wrong.” It’s like that faith thing. It’s better to live your life this way.
Even if you think it’s like rose-colored glasses or whatever, you don’t want to have a miserable life filled with no hope. Even if there is nothing, what do you have to lose by having a little faith and hoping it’s something better? I don’t think you have anything to lose. If anything, it’ll change your mindset, and it might create some dopamine flow in your brain.
Cryptic Rock – Agreed completely. If you are living in a constant state of negativity, you can move forward.
Dorothy Martin – You’re right; it is a lot of this. This is a mind control device, constantly being bombarded with a lot of things that aren’t good for us, distractions, and programming. I would encourage people to start questioning the reality that’s been sold to them. There are powers that can benefit from that. They don’t care about you, but God cares about you. God loves you. We are bombarded with addictions all day, every day. There’s freedom from that, and there’s a better way to live.
Cryptic Rock – Very true. With this trajectory that you are on, you have obviously had a very big passion for Rock-n-Roll music for a long time. Where did it all start for you? When did you discover you had this exceptional voice? How did it all work for you that you decided you were going to pursue this?
Dorothy Martin – I really had to work at my voice like a muscle, like a bodybuilder. I would try to sing everything from Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Janice Joplin, and everything. Then I studied a little bit of Opera for a while, which gave me a solid foundation, more power, and strength in how to use my voice. I learn new things all the time. It’s a human instrument. I just have to take care of my body.
I had my parent’s record collection, their vinyl. I grew up listening to Pink Floyd and Credence Clearwater Revival and all sorts of stuff. I went through an oldies phase, a Country phase. That’s how I learned to start using my voice because I wanted to learn how to yodel. It was actually Country music. Then, in my teens, I really got into Audioslave, Creed, Nirvana, and Rock-n-Roll. I was like, “This feels right to me.” Now I’m in this place where I feel like I’m just being myself. Anything that feels soulful, I’m all for it.
Cryptic Rock – You can feel it inside of you. That is why Gifts from the Holy Ghost and The Way you can feel inside you. It is the message you are conveying in the words.
Dorothy Martin – Yeah. I had to find who I was as an artist. I had to grow as a vocalist, frontwoman, and songwriter. It was all part of the journey. You do something long enough; you get better at it. No two albums are going to be the same. I like to have a solid golden thread that ties everything together. 28 Days in the Valley (2018) was a wild card album. We really went off the deep end and experimented with that one. Then I reined it back in, and that’s not bad. That’s a good thing. You’ve got to go on a journey.
Cryptic Rock – You have to take risks as a musician and experiment; otherwise, you will not be progressing. Like you said, you will be progressing as a person. You have to take a leap of faith, right?
Dorothy Martin – Yep. You got it.
Cryptic Rock – It is fascinating to hear about the artists you grew up with. You talked about Country and how that helped you expand your voice and oldies. There are so many phenomenal old-sounding Rock-n-Roll records from the early ’60s and such.
Dorothy Martin – Yeah. Chuck Berry and Elvis. When I was a kid, I didn’t know the names of the artists except Elvis. I always listen to the oldies radio station in the car. Like that song, “Where, oh, where could my baby be? The Lord took her away from me.” When I heard that, I just started bawling. I didn’t even know what it was about. I was just a kid. The oldie station was just my go-to.
Cryptic Rock – J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers’ “Last Kiss” is an amazing song! Like you said, you don’t even know what it’s about as a kid. It has an effect on you. Last question for you. Are you a fan of films, and if so, what are some of your favorites?
Dorothy Martin – Yeah. The Passion of the Christ (2004) is pretty gnarly. The Matrix (1999) is one of my favorite movies. I’m trying to think now because I’ve been in the music world in my brain. Matrix is definitely one of my favorites. There is also the John Carpenter film called They Live (1988). It’s amazing.
Cryptic Rock – Absolutely. Talk about mind control, right?
Dorothy Martin – Oh, yeah. When he was interviewed, he said, “I’m making a documentary. So do with that what you will.” I’ve seen that movie several times. I have my personal favorites. I’m a True Crime girly. I like to know how people think, and psychology is very interesting to me. When I have time and downtime, I watch documentaries or podcasts.
Cryptic Rock – They Live is a striking movie. Like you said, it is a documentary in many ways. There is social commentary in that movie. To your point about The Passion of the Christ, it does not matter what walk of life you are from; the movie is effective.
Dorothy Martin – Yes. I cried like a baby. I mean, wow. Yeah. It’s pretty powerful.
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