[1] Ladly also has had a long career as a musician and became famous internationally as part of rock band Martha and the Muffins.

She subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom, releasing two solo singles ("Finlandia" and "Light Years from Love") the latter featuring Peter Hook on bass.

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.

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.

Before her appointment at OCAD, she was the creative director of HorizonZero, a bilingual internet publication in collaboration with the Banff New Media Institute and Culture Canada.