It’s been more than four years since Melanie Martinez released new material and boy has it been worth the wait.
The multi-talented artist released K-12 last week, and its the official follow-up to her RIAA platinum certified, 2015 debut album, Cry Baby.
But a new record wasn’t the only thing Martinez’s fans received on Friday (September 6).
In addition to the full-length album, Melanie released an eerily enchanting musical film of the same name, which she wrote, directed and even starred in. Shot last Fall on location in Budapest, Hungary, K–12 sees Martinez starring as Cry Baby, a strong and sensitive girl who is sent off to a disturbing sleep away school hidden underneath a grandiose façade. Both the film and the album are not only inspired by whimsical pop surrealism, but “all those kind of magical, wacky films” Martinez is obsessed with, including Edward Scissorhands, Tim Burton, The Cat and the Hat, and The Grinch.
“I think the whole thing was a great learning experience,” Martinez tells Celeb Secrets reporters at the film’s red carpet premiere. “I’ve never written a film before so now since I know how to, I want to make more films in the future. Being able to bypass all of the learning curves I had to go through this time around will really help me next time and hopefully it won’t take four years.”
K-12 will come to life in a different light later this fall, as Martinez is brining the album on tour throughout the US and Europe. “The K–12 Tour” gets underway October 13th in Washington, D.C. at the All Things Go Fall Classic and then travels North America through late November; European dates follow, beginning December 2nd at Dublin, Ireland’s Olympia Theatre and then continues through mid-December. You can view the full list of dates with purchase links here.
“It’s been a bit since I’ve been on tour and I’m incredibly excited to bring the movie to life on stage,” says Martinez in a statement, “I’m putting all of my energy into making it not only visually stunning and pleasing to the senses but also a fun learning experience and a safe place to express yourself and be accepted for exactly who you are.”
You can watch K-12 on YouTube now with special screenings in movie theaters worldwide. The most updated global screening info can be found at www.k-12thefilm.com.
Learn more about K-12 by watching our interview with Melanie from the film’s red carpet premiere below.
