Tell me a little about your background.
I was born in London, my family are British Kenyan. I travelled to New Zealand after university and ended up living in Wellington for 3 years, after which I moved to Berlin to begin a new adventure. I’ve now been based in Berlin for 2 years. Its a pretty great place for musicians to be based, from here I can live affordably in a fascinating city so full of inspiration and in a good location to tour extensively. But don’t believe it’s easy to live in Germany! Berlin is as rough as it is kind. Everyone I know has really struggled here, but that struggle also makes for fantastic friends and good song inspiration!
How did you get started in music and specifically writing songs?
Honestly, I can’t remember. I’ve just always done it. I was playing piano as soon as I could climb up on the stool, and began guitar at the age of 6. I grew up in a very musical home. Similarly, I’ve always been writing, whether it was childhood adventure stories or teenage love songs. Its something I’ve never consciously chosen to do, just have always done.
How do you go about writing your songs? Do you have a theme in mind? Do you start with chords, words or melody?
I usually begin writing the whole shembam together- chords, words and melody. Well I piece together a shape and an expression then work out exactly what it is I’m trying to say, where its come from and how to craft it into something.
How did you team up with your co-producer?
Mihali Paleologou and his wife Martyna are dear friends. Mihali is a composer and one boozy night my partner Ali suggested I play Mihali a new song I’d been working on to see if he had any ideas of where to take it. The rest just fell into place. The other producer who we will be working with after the tracking is Dan Goudie. Dan is based in London and myself and Mihali will be travelling there to complete the EP. Dan is magic. Introduced 6 years ago by a friend from Uni, Dan has worked with some amazing people. I asked him to mix and produce the tracks that we have recorded in Berlin, he said yes straight away.
What is he benefit to you in having a co-producer involved?
When you have written the songs, managed a band, toured, filed numerous administration, managed a crowd funding campaign and everything that is involved in that, paid bills, lost your voice, re-strung your guitar, laid awake at night…. its usually a good idea to bring in someone that your trust with fresh ears, inspiration, support and direction.
Congratulations on reaching your target for the funding of your EP! How does it feel to have generated that amount of support?
Thank you! I really didn’t think we were going to make it! I feel very relieved an hugely encouraged by everyone’s support. Its built a community around the EP, giving me huge support and also a healthy amount of pressure to deliver!
What is the next step after the completion of the EP?
Another one! We’re planning a ‘side 2’, effectively a double EP that once both are released, sit together as an album.
Look out for Mara’s EP early in 2015!!