In a world where every melody holds a story and every note carries the weight of emotion, there exists an artist whose journey through music is as captivating as the symphonies she creates. Meet Marica, a virtuoso whose life has been a harmonious blend of triumphs and trials, each chord resonating with the echoes of her experiences.
In this interview, Marica opens up about her musical odyssey, from the early days of childhood concerts to the transformative power of overcoming adversity. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and the profound connection between artist and art form.
As we delve into Marica's narrative, we uncover the threads that weave together her passion for music, her unwavering commitment to her craft, and the moments that have defined her path. From the tender age of seven, when she first held a violin in her hands, to her emergence as a songwriter navigating the complexities of the modern music industry, Marica's journey is a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression.
But there's more to Marica's story than meets the ear. Beyond the melodies lies a journey of self-discovery, a quest to find meaning and purpose in a world where every crescendo brings new challenges and opportunities. As we explore Marica's interview, we invite you to embark on a voyage of discovery, unravel the mysteries of her music, and uncover the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface.
Join us as we journey into the heart of Marica's artistry, where every song is a story waiting to be told, and every note is a glimpse into the soul of a remarkable artist.
Get ready to be inspired, moved, and entranced by the enchanting melodies of Marica's musical tapestry.
Eduard ( E ): In the artistic journey, I believe each artist's creative flame is kindled in one of two ways: it's either an innate spark present since birth or a pivotal moment that transforms a mere interest into a passionate pursuit. In your experience, which of these scenarios resonates with you, and at what point did you realize that music was your true calling?
Marica ( M ): Well, for as long as I remember I sang. I was holding these concerts in my room with a hairbrush in my hand for a mic and backing tracks playing behind me. There was Mariah, Whitney, and Croatian singers, but I have always had the urge to sing. Like it was something I had to do. I just wish the technology was then as it is now so I could have saved some of those concerts but those were the late 90s' so it was what it was. I'm not from a family of musicians so there wasn't much influence in that area or roll models, I was a little bit by myself being musical that way. Then, at the age of 7, my mom took me to an audition for a music school and I was the first one on the list. And at that point, I gained professors and professionals who knew what to do with me, with the talent itself, but it was now violin in the spotlight, because my aunt bought one when she was working in Italy, so it was like 'we have an instrument at home', so there is no need to buy a piano or anything else,+ money was kind of short because it was post-war years in Croatia. At the age of nine, I was picked by a University professor for a masterclass with him and I remember, we were standing in the middle of the stairs in the school, and he said to me and to my professor 'Oh, she is going to the academy'. The rest is history. I started pursuing it 24/7. I was always in one or the other school, or at the competition, or traveling or practicing, I always had this scar on my neck that all the violinists have, and people would ask me how I got it. And I was always the girl with that 'box' (violin case)on my shoulders. I hope this answers your question. The thing with the calling is that it chooses you not the other way round.
E: Behind every song lies a source of inspiration, be it people, places, experiences, thoughts, or introspective moments. Each track has its muse, its genesis. Could you share with us who or what has been the most influential muse in your music-making journey and why?
M: I can't put a mark on a person or an event that occurred and say 'Yes this is my muse'. I think it was the mixture of all these experiences I've had in the 27 years that I've been a musician. First, it was violin, pretty intensely, because it is the only way to become a classical musician. Then I was invited to play in a few bands, one was in my teenage years, and the other one in my early twenties. The first one was etno-world music, I played everything from gypsy music to Jewish etno, to Irish jig and most importantly I learned how to improvise, which I never had to do before. The other band was kind of a jazzy one, playing jazz standards, so there was improvisation there too. My point is, I learned how to think outside of the box. It opened all these channels of making melodies, and later harmonies, and I started thinking as a creator and not just someone who plays from the score. I was creative all of a sudden. As for the inspiration behind every song, It's a difficult one, this question. Sometimes it's time spent with the loved ones, sometimes it's a life changing experience, like having your first kid..I would say life itself has been the biggest muse. being beautiful or ugly sometimes.
E: Life presents us with a myriad of challenges, and often, overcoming these hardships can reshape our perspective and approach to our craft. Is there a specific challenge you've faced that profoundly influenced your creative journey?
M: Well, I've had a tumor in my late twenties. Appendix tumor, which is super-rare, but I guess I'm special haha. I'm now in 5-year remission. And back then when I dealt with that there was a pretty intense talk about all these surgeries, and chemo and what not, fortunately, I skipped some of those things, not all though. Anyway, it made me rearrange some things in my life, as that kind of experience often does, and I started to do more of the things I truly enjoy, things in which I can express myself as an individual, making music, and a little less doing things that I should do or have to do, or is expected of me.
E: With each artist I have the privilege to talk to, I embark on a journey of self-reflection. If you were to journey back to the very first day you started creating music and reflect on your evolution from that day to now, how would you describe the transformation in your style or approach?
M: Well at first, being a pop songwriter, I was off the form. And every genre has it's own form and certain rules, at least pop does. So there was definitely a learning curve there. I've listened to a lot of advice from different producers and fellow musicians, lot of criticism, both constructive and malicious, but it helped me to work on things that need to be better. Pop songs need to have something that sticks with you, a hook, a vibe, I don't know, but I'm much better now at finding those moments in the song. When I heard my first song today on the radio- there are so many things I would have done differently, but that is the beauty of evolution. I guess.
E: To me, creation is an act of self-expression. We infuse every creation with a fragment of our essence. In light of this, how would you say 'Marica' is reflected in your music?
M: Well Marica is such an introvert without her music tools, but I think in my songs I'm kind of someone else or not someone else, rather a little more outgoing version of myself, one that speaks up and is the center of attention, that I always wanted to be, maybe not always, but it does do you better in life to be that way. I don't know if I have answered this question right but it was the best I could do.
E: In April 2023, if I am not mistaken, 'The One That Got Away' was released. Such an evocative and enchanting piece! It was love at first listen for me. What excited me the most, and still does, is the idea that I wasn’t just able to listen to it, but also to collect it. I was able to hold a piece of Marica’s history in my own wallet as the song was released as an NFT. So exciting!! Reflecting back on the moment you decided to release your music on-chain, what did it mean for you? What prompted you to make this decision?
M: Well, it was a really special moment for me because I have never done anything like that and it was all so very exciting. I was a little scared of the technical part of the whole Web 3 space as it really is techy. But it was really enchanting to connect with people and that kind of happened immediately. No middle man and its not some cold-hearted platform (which is good in its own way for different reasons) it's COMMUNITY, it's people who reacted immediately and that for me was something really special. And especially now after some time, I've realized that some of them I can really call my friends, and that's a blessing that came with putting my music out there, on-chain. And what prompted the decision to put it on-chain was a pure curiosity to discover something new and different.
E: You already know how much I cherish your voice, which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard. Yet, your magic isn’t limited to just your voice; it extends to your violin as well. Considering this, what does the violin represent for you? What’s your relationship with it?
M: Wow thank you so much, Eduard. You've been an immense support from day one and I will never forget it. Well, I consider the violin as an integral part of me. Like an extension of my arms, really. It's also a love/hate relationship a lot of times because of how demanding it is, and it's also medicine and therapy a lot of times. It's a nuisance a lot of times and it's a joy. So, to sum it up, it is a kind of a full circle relationship with all its ups and downs, but with the emphasis on the ups, of course.
E: Despite the importance of artists in our lives, many have had their voices silenced by the current workings of the music industry. I’ve never loved this aspect, as I’ve seen many talented artists unable to pursue their passion for this very reason. I hope for change, and I believe that change is imminent with the advent of Web3. How do you see the Web3 space impacting artists' journeys and transforming the music industry?
M: Yes, the industry is really ruthless at times, especially to smaller artists. It's hard to make money, it's hard to get noticed because it's all so saturated in every aspect, it requires a grind and putting stuff out there all the time, and music costs, a lot. There is that aspect of Web 2/IRL but it is still the traditional way of getting into the business of making and performing music. So I think it will take time before Web 3 takes over but it's on its way to do so, maybe in the future. There are a lot of grifters and scammers in the space and there is way too much hype around a lot of things. So my impression is that it is more important of being an influencer then having a really quality project. There is not enough criticism which I think is crucial for an artist to thrive and grow and definitely not enough decentralization (as every platform has its own gatekeepers) which is the main thing about Web 3. So to sum up, I think there is a future in Web 3 for a lot of artists but some things need to be changed. If and when that happens we will see how things will go. Probably gonna have some haters after an answer like this :)
E: If you were to define what music is, what would that definition be? For me, personally, music is emotion.
M: There are a lot of cool definitions online. For me, it's LIFE!
E: I believe every artist has a driving purpose behind their creations. While the message may vary from piece to piece, there's often a larger theme that resonates throughout their work. What is the message you wish to convey through your music? How do you hope people will resonate with your art?
M: Well I hope that people who get in touch with my music will find solace and connection within it because we really do live in a world of chaos and people are very alienated. I hope my music brings people peace and comfort, any feeling really, whether it's a sad or a happy one. Maybe just a romantic fantasy. Which ever, I really think it's important to be emotional and we as humans have found a way to get so detached from our emotions and that is not good. So that is kind of my goal.
E: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
M: Definitely flying.
As we bid farewell to the enchanting melodies of Marica's musical journey, we are left spellbound by the depth of emotion, resilience, and sheer artistry she brings to every composition. Her music transcends mere notes on a staff, weaving together the threads of her experiences into a tapestry of sound that resonates with the soul.
Through her interview, Marica invites us into her world, where every chord is a story waiting to be told, and every lyric carries the weight of her journey. From the highs of creative inspiration to the lows of life's challenges, Marica's music serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of artistic expression.
As we reflect on Marica's narrative, we are reminded of the transformative power of music to touch hearts, heal wounds, and inspire change. Her story is a reminder that, in a world often marred by chaos and uncertainty, the language of music remains a universal force for connection and understanding.
For those eager to experience more of Marica's captivating melodies and delve deeper into her musical universe, be sure to follow her on social media ( Twitter - Instagram - TikTok ) and explore her latest releases ( Marica’s Sanctuary ). It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of her artistry and stay connected to the soul-stirring magic of her music.
As we bid adieu to Marica's captivating narrative, our journey through the realms of creativity and inspiration continues. Join us next week for another installment of our series, where we'll unveil yet another mesmerizing tale from the world of art and innovation. Stay tuned to our social channels ( Twitter - Lens ) for hints and teasers about what's to come, as we celebrate the diverse voices and narratives that enrich our collective tapestry of stories.
Each artist adds depth and vibrancy to our ever-expanding narrative. These visionaries are the storytellers of our age, weaving tales that resonate with the essence of our shared humanity. Our journey is far from over; it's a continuous exploration of creativity, inspiration, and the boundless possibilities of the human spirit.
Join us as we celebrate and traverse these captivating narratives, one story at a time.
The journey continues…
