Hiya Marina Josephina, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us a bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
I was born into a musical family, with my Dad being a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. There was always an eclectic range of music being played around the house, and self-expression was very much encouraged. As a family, my siblings and I would perform with my Dad at local care homes, which I really enjoyed and I think that’s where my love of sharing the joy of music started.
What’s the live music scene like in Stockton-on-Tees right now?
The live music scene in Stockton is fantastic. We have many great venues in the area, as well as organisations and promoters who are really passionate advocates for local original music, which has been immensely helpful to me.
Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
There are tons of great artists in my local area! It’s been great to see young singer-songwriter Daisy Brown really shine at the moment. Her debut single, ‘Sun Boy’, is stunning and she just played her first festival in town, ’Stockton Calling’ which was really lovely to see.
What are your thoughts on all this talk about Indie poo going round the socials at the min?
Honestly, I’ve been quite out of the loop with social media lately (which is probably a good thing for me!), so I don’t really have much to say on that one. I’m just concentrating on making music I love!
What’s the biggest thing you hate having to do to showcase your music?
I really don’t like the narrative that we have to compete for attention for our music to be heard. There’s a lot of noise around ‘breaking through on social media’ and working towards your big viral moment, but honestly, I think building a genuine connection with audiences through live gigs and posts that actually hold value, rather than just being attention-grabbing nonsense, builds something a lot more sustainable. Being true to yourself is always going to bring the right audience to you and I’d rather have 100 real fans who will stream my music and come to my shows than 10k followers who only care about me posting a trending cover.
What are your ambitions for the band?
My biggest ambition is to keep reaching people who genuinely connect with my music. I’d love to take my live shows across the country and eventually internationally, playing to audiences who might never have discovered me otherwise. Ultimately, I just want to keep growing, creating and doing what I love.
What’s your view on the music industry today?
My view on the music industry today is that there’s so much amazing music out there, we are absolutely spoilt for choice. AI music is a concern and has caught me out a few times, so now I am really wary of streaming sites’ recommendations. I think artists need to be authentic more than ever, and unfortunately, I do think we’re now in a world where social media and marketing take priority over the music. I think live shows are the way to go moving forward in the music industry.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
The biggest thing I’ve learned recently is that if you work hard and believe in yourself and your music, other people will believe in it too. You just have to enjoy and trust the process.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
I’m currently obsessed with Eloise’s new album, ‘My Man and Me’. I’ve been a fan of Eloise for a while, but this album has been on repeat, and I’m looking forward to going to see her in Manchester in November. Totally my cup of tea.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
I have so many funny stories, but I wouldn’t say any of them were bad experiences. I am really clumsy and dozy, so accidents and mess-ups are inevitable. I’ve fallen off stage, dropped my mic and played many a wrong chord, but I’ve learnt to accept it all as part of the fun.
Got any fun, funny stories from life on the road?
I once sent out my rider of things I wanted in my dressing room – crisps, biscuits, etc only for them to tell me they actually just wanted my technical rider. I WAS SO EMBARRASED.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
My debut EP is called ‘Desire and Intent’, and ‘Old News’ is the first single. This song is all about knowing your self-worth, trusting your instincts and not settling for less than you deserve. I love the vibe of this single and thought it was a really strong opener for the EP. I’m very proud of it and think it definetly has an addictive quality to it.
What was the recording process like?
I had such a fab time recording this song! It started as a collaboration with a very good friend of mine, who’s also my guitarist, and it really grew from there. My keyboard player is an incredible arranger and brought so much to the track, and when we added the brass, it just took everything to another level. I absolutely love how it’s turned out, and hearing the song come to life in a way I’d originally only imagined was really special.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I wouldn’t change anything, but I also really loved the original acoustic version, so maybe I would release that version at some point too…
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I would like to thank anyone who’s taken the time to read this. It’s a difficult road being an independent artist, but it’s one that I’m very grateful and proud to be on. It’s because of platforms like this and people like you, who show their interest and support, that opportunities become available to me and I get to enjoy this experience and follow my passion.
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