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After her most successful period as an artist, Maria Mena (22) decided to tell the story of how she became the person she is today.
«This is the first time Ive started an album with a theme. I wanted to give myself a set of guidelines, a framework. My other albums have revolved around the year prior to their releases, but this time I wanted to write the full story of my past. I wanted to come to terms with whatever made me who I am today», Maria explains.
Her last album, critically acclaimed «Apparently Unaffected» was -and continues to be- a European success, having earned (so far) Gold Awards in Germany and Holland, and a Platinum Award in her home country Norway. «The last album provided space for me to develop towards the artist I want to be», Maria says, well aware that she has taken her well-known honesty to a new level. «Cause And Effect» is an emotionally raw collection of songs that in many ways constitutes a turning point in Marias life: «The last couple of years I have developed so much as a person. Ive finally felt ready to confront parts of my past that have been largely descisive in my life.»
Lyrics come first, then the melodies. Thats the way its always been with Maria. Each song is a carefully constructed little piece of her world and they are always results of real-life experiences. That may be one of the reasons why Maria, ever since her debut album «Another Phase» at age 15, has been widely recognized for her commitment to honesty. Combined with her remarkable sense of melody, that has been the key element in both «Mellow» (2004) and «Apparently Unaffected» (2006), which earned her increasing international attention. This time around, whenever melodies came tumbling down into her head, they ended up at the table of producer Martin Sjolie. «Since I dont play any instruments, I depend on a producer to be able to think like me and take my ideas and thoughts a step further. I know Martin thinks I can be quite a challenge to work with sometimes, but I also know hes extremely proud of what weve done together. It feels like weve accomplished a natural musical progression», Maria says. That progression is clearly evident in songs like the russian-folk-inspired «Eye Soar», the beautifully naive «All This Time» and the uncompromising and painfully honest «Cause And Effect». From hard-driving «Power Trip Ballad» to hauntingly beautiful «Dear», this album is an amazing journey into the life of Maria Mena, both the causes and the effects of it.
When Maria was nominated as Best International Newcomer for an Echo-award (German Grammy) this spring, it marked a definite breakthrough in Europe. «Apparently Unaffected» continues to fascinate listeners all over the world and its first single «Just Hold Me» has been viewed more than 5.5 million times on You Tube. Her internet blog (mariablog.com) has also been a huge hit. Maria breaks ground allowing fans to come a lot closer to her everyday life than most artists would.
«For me its just a great way to communicate with my fans. I like sharing my ups and downs and I believe its extremely important to maintain a relationship with those who ultimately buy and appreciate my music», she says. Since her last album, Maria has performed for millions of tv-viewers, she has gotten a dedicated fan base in several European countries and she has launched a succesful touring career. «A lot of things have changed in the last couple of years. I didnt use to enjoy being on stage. I wasnt a fully trained vocalist, but a little girl that came straight from her bedroom to releasing CDs. Somewhere along the road I decided this was something I had to deal with. Ive done a lot of concerts now and Ive had some of my life’s greatest experiences doing it», she admits. This spring Marias Apparently Live Tour was nominated -together with bands like Bloc Party and Wilco- as best Club Tour for a Live Entertainement Award. She has played numerous successful concerts in Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany and she was booked for Live Earth in Hamburg with some of the worlds greatest artists. «When I was backstage at a festival last summer and discovered that I had a dressing room between Dave Matthews Band and Scissor Sisters, I realized that something had happened. The huge tent I was playing in was overcrowded with 15.000 people and I kept thinking to myself that «They must have come to the wrong place. Theyre probably expecting another band, so I better hurry up and get off the stage»», Maria says laughing.
She may still be that down-to-earth-girl who just felt the need to tell people how she felt and begun writing songs, but some things definitely have changed since her last album.
«My voice has developed. It has been an interesting experience to watch it grow stronger. Now I am able to sing a whole new range of songs and I really hope people will recognize that on the album as well».
This time around things are different for the young singer/songwriter. «Cause And Effect» is set for release in a lot of countries and has allready drawn attention around the world. Though expectations are high, Maria seems to have no concerns: «The only thing that has mattered to me in this process is making a record that feels complete. To be succesful abroad and to be released in new countries is great off course, but what really matters is what my family and friends think of it». The 22-year-old has allready learned valuable lessons in life: «After spending most of my teens in this industry, Ive realized that the only thing that matters at the end of the day is your talent and your love for songwriting. Nobody can ever take that away from you».
