Marina V

Genre: Adult Alternative / HOT AC

Location: Moscow, Russia
(current location - Los Angeles)

Website: http://www.MarinaV.com

e-mail: Marina@MarinaV.com

CD Available: Yes

Listen: Sample

This issue's spotlight artist was smart enough to place a link on her site (enabling her to be a spotlight artist) with enough time before the next issue so that I could "Interview" her through a series of e-mails. Thanks to Marina for taking the time to share her music and story with us. If you would like to be a spotlight artist click here for more info.

Members
Marina V - piano, vocals
Nick Baker - co-writer, bass, drums

The Marina V Story
Marina is an intriguing new Adult Alternative artist with an incredible life story. Her openly emotional songs have huge hooks and memorable melodies. Marina's soft, quirky voice, injected with a subtle Russian accent, provides an experience you will not forget.

Influenced by the Beatles and Tchaikovsky, Marina's music style has been described as an unusual mix of Tori Amos, Jewel & Paul McCartney. Not unlike Sir Paul, Marina, a classically trained pianist, lets her voice and melodies - not piano licks - carry her songs.

Having performed across the USA, Marina has gained attention of both music media and fans. Keyboard Magazine calls Marina "one of the most promising singer/songwriters of the year". Her songs can be heard on MTV (the Real World), films and radio stations such as XM Satellite Radio. The twenty-four year-old songstress is officially endorsed by AUDIX microphones, Peavey speakers and YAMAHA digital pianos. Also, she has recently been chosen as one of the HOT 100 UNSIGNED Artists by Music Connection.

In December 2002 Marina released her new album, "Something of My Own". Recorded together with her long-time co-writer, Nick Baker, the album starts off with the title track, a driving song with a great piano groove. "Life is simple until I use my brain" is the first line of the song about discovering your self amid the rules of society and organized religion. "Sometimes it feels like it's easier to coast through life and follow everyone else's footsteps", Marina comments. "But it is so much more exciting to make your own choices and be yourself."

From the smooth ballad "Gone" to disturbingly eerie "Just Another Sunday" (about sexual abuse), from the up-tempo Latin beat in "Falling" to a silly & slightly sarcastic piano/vocal "That's The Way It Goes," the album conveys stories of love & betrayal, lost relationships and dreams with a new and unique twist. The album is available at www.MarinaV.com and at Marina's concerts.

Interview

In "talking" with Marina here is what she had to say.
Musician's Cyber Cooler (MCC): Best Gig?
Marina: Every gig is great!

MCC: Worst Gig?
Marina: My Jan 2001 CD Release Party when the ceiling above the stage fell.
MCC: Woa! Tell me more about that?
Marina: We (I had a backing band at the time) had the CD release party planned out and all of the fans and local media were there. We did a sound check and got off the stage for a few minutes to say hello to the fans (capacity crowd, I must say). We hired a stage light guy for the night. Apparently, the ceiling was too weak for the heavy lights, so the ceiling collapsed right after we left the stage after the sound check. We felt so lucky because a few minutes earlier or a few minutes later the lights would have fallen down right on us. And probably would've killed our drummer and guitarist. We felt very lucky, I signed the CDs and the performance was canceled (the pa system got messed up, too).

MCC: Do you have any advice for bands?
Marina: Be persistent and be in the music business for the right reasons
MCC: When you say be in the music business for the right reasons, what are they?
Marina: Doing it for the love of music -because it moves you.

MCC: I see you have a song on XM radio. How did that come about?
Marina: I sent them my music and they decided to put it into their regular rotation.
Note: - go to http://unsigned.xmradio.com

MCC: You've been through a lot in your life. When you came back to America at age 17 where did you live?
Marina: I lived in Springfield, IL, with an American "host" family with whom I had stayed in the USA when I was 15 (as an exchange student).

MCC: Is Red Your Natural hair color? (Your pictures show many shades).
Marina: I wish. My roots are light brown.

MCC: Being an attractive female, do you ever find people get too focused on your looks overlooking your talent?)
Marina: I'm not THAT attractive :)

MCC: Or does being attractive help by attracting people to you so your Music can work its magic?
Marina: I think it varies.

MCC: I see where "Lift" is listed as your second CD. Where is your first?
Marina: Before "Lift" I had one CD, "Let Me Dream". It was my first attempt at recording. It's out of print now.

MCC: How tired are you of being compared to Tori Amos (being a talented, red headed, female singer/song writer)?
Marina: I don't mind. People have to compare. It's just a part of human nature. I compare new artists to existing ones all the time. It sort of gives you a feeling of comfort to "label" people.

MCC: What is in your CD player right now?
Marina: Avril's new record and the Beatles.

MCC: What does you "team" consist of now. I know you have a music collaborator,
but do you currently have management, etc. Any lessons learned in taking
that step?
Marina: No, I don't have a manager. I'm looking. A few people have approached me, but I want to find a really good manager with whom I can feel very comfortable, both on business and on personal levels.

MCC: I'm spotlighting GoGirlsMusic.com in the next issue, are you familiar with them? Marina: I'm actually a GoGirlsMusic.com Elite member... how funny. They're a nice group of people.

MCC: Living in the states now (LA) do you ever get to see your family?
Marina: My mom lives near Sydney, but my Dad lives in Moscow. I haven't seen either of them for almost 5 years and we're all meeting in Moscow in 3 weeks. I can't wait.

MCC: Thanks Marina
Marina: Thanks Dave.

For more information on Marina V go to www.MarinaV.com