Tanja Maritsa
Tanja Maritsa is one of the UK's leading Jazz singers and her heavily Folk influenced new album 'Fragile' which is available now on iTunes is an absolute cracker! Female First caught up with Tanja to chat about music, Egypt, Cat Stevens and perilous mountain assents!
Hi Tanja, what are you up to?
Busy writing some lyrics to a new song :)
So, you’re getting ready to release your debut album can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes I'm very excited. 'Fragile' was really a culmination of ideas and the main underlying theme of the album is about how fragile and delicate life is and how we should try to savour every moment. It was written and recorded at a time when my father was very ill so i think that made it all the more poignant for me and hopefully it is, for others who listen to it.
There is a lot of competition in the business today; do you think you have what it takes to give the big names a run for their money?
Ha - that's a funny question and yes I hope so - but in all seriousness first and foremost I sing and write songs because that's my passion in life, it's what i love doing. I want to share my thoughts and feelings with my audience and I hope what I write and sing resonates with others - that's really my ultimate aim above anything else.
So, if you could recommend just one song of yours for us to download so that we want to hear all of your music, what would it be?
Well if you want a nice lively song id recommend the single 'Live for Today' which as the words suggest is about living for the moment and trying not too worry too much about the minutia in life and appreciating what you have - easier said than done i know - but that's the sentiment.
If you want something more on the mellow side id go for my duet 'Fading Grace' with the wonderful pianist Gwilym Simcock, which again is about appreciating everything around us and how even good things can come out of tragic situations.
If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and watching Big Brother, how would you get me out of the house?
Well I'd go for a live show any time - far more fun !! :) and unlike Big Brother we can guarantee we won't fall asleep on you !!
We’ve got to admit you’re a little bit cool, so what advice would you give to someone just starting out, knowing what you know now?
To try and be yourself in what you do and in how you sing and to persevere.
If T.A.N.J.A was an acronym what would each letter stand for?
Tenacious adventurous new jazz artist :)
Michael Jackson had the Moonwalk, Elvis had the snake hips, what do you have that makes you unique?
Hmm- can't say I wiggle much on stage and don't think the snake hips are really me :)) but hopefully I try to sing with heart :))
Now, clearly we need to get to know each other more, so tell me an interesting fact about you that no one else knows?
I'm very lucky in the sense that I get to travel quite a bit. I have family in Egypt so we spend quite a lot of time there - that's how I first got to meet some of the musicians I'm currently working with including my wonderful oud player Naseer Shamma who's a special guest on the album.
What song do you wish you’d written?
Sunrise - Norah Jones - i love it!
If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and TV, how would you convince me to come out?
Put the video recorder on and come on down - that way you get the best out of both worlds - simple ! :))
And if you were to take me on a trip to your hometown, what would be the first place we’d go?
The Windmill ! We have one on the common - very unusual for London i think - but i love Windmills - something so romantic about them :)
What’s the best prank you’ve ever pulled on someone?
hmm- I'm not the prank type really - I mean I like a little tease but never full on pranks - sorry :)
And what’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Please tell us how it ended up!
I was walking in the lake district once and a gentle little stroll turned into a full on climb in the ice and snow !! I was terrified but after nearly dying of fear managed to get to the top. Five minutes later a few other climbers followed - only they had ropes and pick axes - a slight advantage !! So the morale of the story like any good Scout will tell you is- Always be prepared ! Still it adds to the drama of life when you're not :)
If you were to send someone to prison for crimes against music, who would it be?
Oh no that's mean - I don't want to answer that :) music is so subjective - perhaps also I'm lucky as well as i love all sorts of music from Pink Floyd to Tom Jones :))
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Best of Cat Stevens !! - my favourite artist of all time.
What were you doing last night at 11?
Packing my suitcase
What are you going to do after this interview?
Off to Boston !! - Very exciting. Meeting up with some musicians I know there and having a little break.
When was the last time you did something incredibly stupid?
Oh well that's probably a daily occurence - I run round like a mad person most of the time trying to do far too much so I have a habit of loosing things :))
What’s the last film you saw?
'La Vie en Rose' about Edith Piaf - absolutely fabulous
What’s the last thing you bought?
A great little MP3 player and recorder - i have to have one on me permanently - you never know when the next song is going to pop into your head :)