Dazed & Confused: How has life changed since first appearing in Dazed?
Marina: I the last six months, I've just been writing and rehearsing and having lots of fun. I also decided to get out from behind the keyboard. I want to perform so I've been doing lots of dance lessons, all that shit. I also got singed to 679/Atlantic Records.
Is the songwriting process theraputic for you?
Kind of. Most of my songs are quite schizophrenic. I'm also quite obsessed with childhood. I only write songs that I truly feel passionate about. I hate boring lyrics. I don't consider myself to be a pop kind of person even though I have some big pop songs... what if people like them better than my other stuff? That would be disappointing.
So is pop a dirty word to you?
I'm really not sure. If it's a good song, it's a good song. It's a real tough one because if you're not pop you might not sell records. It depends if you're in it for a long-term career or if you're riding some wave or trend.
Do pop star bloggers annoy you?
I don't like them. I'm not interested in artists who blog about going to the loo or whatever. Who cares? If you've got something good to say, just do a blog once every few weeks. I think celebrities should shut up.
Have you always wanted to be famous?
I know it sounds really bad but yes, ever since I was 14. I wanted to be Britney so I pursued that for a while but it didn't work out. Then I started writing my own stuff and it started to get good about a year and a half ago.
You've been compared to Kate Bush. Is that a good thing, or going too far?
I don't know. I genuinely never used to listen to her but I like the performance element of her career. She is someone who has integrity. She kind of speaks like a baby but I don't mind that. I can imagine following the same career path as her. You know, not always getting it right but doing things you believe in.
Do you feel under pressure to deliver big sales?
I don't feel that much pressure. I have my own aims in my head. It's weird, I always have this steely determination and ultimate faith in myself whatever's going on. I think it will do well, but you can't coax people into buying something. If it doesn't go to the A list on Radio One, who fucking cares. If I've done good work, that's all that matters.
That's a refreshing point of view, but isn't it a little naive?
I don't think so. I'm sure I will be very nervous over the next five months when things are going to get interesting. That's when the natural buzz will start in the normal public as opposed to the media. I've never envisioned myself being this tiny unknown indie artist. I'd like to think that I'm providing people with something interesting and talking about things that aren't the norm. And I'll be alright even if it's not a massive selling album because I think the fans that you collect will be more loyal in the long run. All two of them, my mum and my sister.
So, what's the plan for the rest of 2009?
I want a massive diamond ring made out of wood for my stage show. With an electric train that goes up to the top and back down again.
"Obsessions" is out now on Neon Gold
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