Maria is a Rising Star; A Beautiful Voice From Denmark Here in London

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When did you start making music?

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I've been singing forever, and I started playing the piano at ten years old. It was around this time that I began writing songs as well, and as I grew older they increasingly became better and started sounding more like “proper” songs. When I turned 15 I transferred to a school that focused much more on music than my old school, and it gave me a breakthrough in that I realised that I could move people with my songs and I started taking it seriously in a way I hadn’t before.

 

Who are you listening to at the moment?

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I'm a huge fan of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and their newest album "Ghosteen" is one of the most hauntingly beautiful things I've ever encountered, so I listen to that a lot as well as working my way through the rest of their extensive back catalog. When I need something a bit different I tend to put on Billie Eilish, especially her debut album "When we all fall asleep, where do we go?".

 

What makes you make music?

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I love the process of writing a song. I have a lot of fun playing around with language and intertextuality when writing lyrics and experimenting with chord progressions and melodies. The sense of accomplishment I feel when finishing a new song is also unlike anything else, so even if no one were to ever listen to my songs I’d still write them. Even so, I want to share my songs with others because I think they have something to say about the human experience; loneliness, insecurity, impermanence, religion, hope, trust, guilt, climate change, etc. And I really hope that some people resonate with it, that they feel understood and less alone, and that they can provide some food for thought in the midst of a busy everyday life.

 

What are you most proud of so far in your journey?

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What I’m most proud of so far is that I’ve gathered the confidence to be honest with myself that this is what I really want to do. It’s taken me a long time, and I still have a voice in the back of my head that creeps out once in a while and questions whether I’m good enough. So it’s vital for me to have the courage to put myself out there and trust people’s feedback to be genuine. It’s a learning process but I’ve come very far and I’m excited to go further.

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What is your next step from here?

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With everything currently in lockdown, I’m just trying to take advantage of the free time: At the moment I’m writing songs, recording some cover videos, and expanding my knowledge of the music industry. I’ll take up production very soon too, depending on how long that'll go on. Once we go back to “real life”, you’ll be able to find me at every open mic in town! And hopefully, I’ll play some gigs as well (and not have them canceled). I’m also working on my two debut singles at the moment and I can’t wait to get them done and share them with the world!

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