After joining TOPS nearly a decade ago, Marta Cikojevic would soon after introduce her own personal brand of sultry, synth-heavy indie-pop via her solo project Marci with her self-titled debut statement dropping in 2022. With several of her bandmates backing her across the album (including a flute cameo from lead vocalist Jane Penny on “Call the Wild”), it felt like an extension of the TOPS universe, albeit one that was being led in unexpected, often boogie-forward directions.
With her second album Mask Lady and Late Night Girl, Cikojevic only burrows deeper into her own personal mythology with the help of an anonymous figure who came to represent an alter ego of sorts for her late-night clubbing persona—one which, naturally, has always been at the center of the Marci project. “Mask Lady” is just one of the five non-musical influences Cikojevic cites (and goes into more detail on) below, serving as inspiration for the mysterious aura the record explores as it manages to reflect the glammiest outfits ever assembled for the dancefloor and the pangs of nostalgia one feels while looking back on such carefree moments.
With the LP landing this Friday via Arbutus Records, read on to learn how Demolition Man, person-to-person ASMR, and Montreal’s Rockland Mall shaped her vision.
The Duchess of Argyle/Mask Lady
Obviously I have to start with Mask Lady, as she was a huge inspo for the record. After I moved to Hollywood/Franklin Village at the beginning of 2024, I would see this sassy and sexy dressed iconic woman walking around with her little purse and pinup girl Halloween mask. I was dying to talk to her. Finally one night I was coming home from a party and worked up the courage to stop her and chat. I said, “OMG, you’re mask lady! I think you’re so iconic, I love your look.” And she responded, “Oh hey you’re late-night girl!” To my surprise, I was also a character of the neighborhood to her; I felt honored.
Alexandra Sherman paintings
Alex is also a Hollywood/Franklin Village dweller and friend, whose work is featured on the cover of the album. Alex and I both had a fascination with Mask Lady and worked together to make the cover art happen! Her work is truly so stunning, and feels like a slightly distorted memory.
Sci-fi
In “Pay Me Now,” I sing the word “sci-fi,” but there’s sci-fi inspo in the lyrics of other songs—and that makes sense, because I love the genre! I love how it can take me out of myself. I just finished playing Cyberpunk, and Blade Runner and Contact are some fave movies of mine. Also, a childhood favorite was Demolition Man; my sisters and I ran through that VHS. Also, listen to the podcast episode of Otherworld’s Them, part one (“Meet Us”) and part two, “Sisters”—freaky!
ASMR
Taking breaks is huge inspo. Tickle my brain. Sometimes when I’m working on music—or anything, really—instead of scrolling I will listen to some ASMR and probably take a nap. I’m a big fan of hair play, or person-to-person-type ASMR. I have a list of faves—message me if you want them. There’s someone in LA who does them in-person, I’m dying to go. Shout out to Soft Touch ASMR Spa.
Buildings and malls from the ’80s-2000s
Celestial glass brick buildings of the ’80s and ’90s, Rockland Mall in Montreal, glass skyscrapers, vacant or liminal spaces inside of these buildings, also brutalist architecture *chefs kiss*—all very nostalgic to me. I really love looking at a building and imagining a whole other life. Mexico City has such good buildings; Chicago, too. Hong Kong is perfection. A fun part of being on tour is getting to see architecture in each city.
