Marina Diamandis
Marina and the Diamonds is the stage name for half-Welsh half-Greek solo singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis (her name is just too perfect!). To refer to Marina as simply ‘quirky’ just wouldn’t be right, her lyrics and music is so much deeper than just that; for example first official single Mowgli’s Road is about her dream to make it big in the music industry, (I think that can be crossed off her list now!) As ever with a new artist on the scene comparisons have been made. The most popular one has to be with the great Kate Bush, which I have to say I agree with. The least popular with both me and Marina is when someone lazily compared her to Kate Nash, her response was: “I’m sooo like Kate Nash because OOPS! I have a vagina and a keyboard.” Although a keyboard is used in many, if not all, of her songs her music is definitely much deeper and just generally better than Kate’s who seems to write about relationship issues in almost every of her ditties!
Marina’s first chart eligible single Mowgli’s Road was recently released, it was originally featured as a B-side to Obsessions earlier this year. I’m extremely glad it hasn’t changed much, the energy of the original remains along with the ‘cuckoo’ shrieks and speech given by the well-beyond soprano voiced ‘spoons’ in the middle eight, which gives it an otherworldly feel. Some people think the bright-blue accordion-like limbs used in the video for Mowgli’s make it a bit too creepy, however I find that the video is just about idiosyncratic enough complement the music!
After watching that quirky extravaganza, it would seem to the untrained ear (and eye), that Marina has been commercialised somewhat while listening to (and watching) her next single Hollywood. However me being a total Diamond (Marina’s name for her fans), I can tell you that this was actually one of the first songs she wrote and put up on her MySpace, her music simply has something for a range of music tastes. It also includes one of the most amazing lines in musical history: “He said ‘OH MY GOD you look just like Shakira. No no you’re Catherine Zeta.’ ‘Actually my name’s Marina’”. Well FYI Marina’s already outstripped Catherine Zeta-Jones when she came one place ahead of her in the Sexiest Women of Wales list and what’s more, my bet is that in a year Shakira will be hearing “No no you’re Marina”, not the other way round!
Breaking news to add to this post! As of today Marina’s part of the ‘long-list’ for the BBC Sound Of 2010, I’m absolutely certain that she will make it in to the top five and probably even win. The results are out in January, a short time before Hollywood is released- 1st February and her eagerly anticipated debut album The Family Jewels- 22nd February.
[...] of 2009, it’s the simply amazing Marina And The Diamonds! Read my earlier post about her here. As predicted it has been a great year for Marina, starting with the release of her first single in [...]
[...] Marina And The Diamonds‘ upcoming single Hollywood has been remixed countless times, but the one that stands way above the rest for me is the legendary Canadian musician Gonzales’ classical reworking. Gonzales didn’t go for the obvious type of remix by simply adding a more dancey drum beat and a few synths, which in most cases just makes a mess out of a great song. Instead he concocted and conducted a truly amazing full-orchestral reworking of Marina’s put-down of American culture, gaining inspiration from the lyrics. Also unlike most remixes, it comes with a simple yet brilliant video. While watching I finally realised what’s missing from all other music videos: Estonian subtitles! The reasoning behind this is that the video is supposed to be recently uncovered footage of a performance Marina and Gonzales did on an Eastern European TV show called ‘Pop’; quite a good opportunity for her to show off her now perfected OTT facial expressions, which I love! [...]
[...] Marina Diamandis‘ debut album has been two years in the making, every day of which more than worthwhile for the end product: The Family Jewels, a truly unique and dazzling debut. The album has everything from sparkling and theatrical pop gems (Shampain, Hollywood, Oh No!), to heartfelt piano-backed ballads (I Am Not A Robot, Obsessions, Numb) and the quirky classics that make Marina downright different (Mowgli’s Road). Her eccentric and powerful vocals are showcased well in every track, I Am Not A Robot and Guilty perhaps being her best songs vocally. [...]