Marina and the Diamonds Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 28th 2010 10:09AM by Jazmine Valencia
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Just a few weeks before the release of her debut full-length studio album 'The Family Jewels,' the Greek-Welsh pop diva, Marina and The Diamonds was named the #2 "One to Watch" on the BBC's prestigious Sound of 2010 list. The album is full of infectious melodies, bright sounds and fresh, delicious hooks. Marina recently spoke with Spinner about her obsession with becoming a singer, her upcoming visit to SXSW and a whole lot more.

How did you come up with your band name?

It wasn't really calculated; my surname is Diamandis, which means "Diamonds" in Greek. At the time I didn't intend "Diamonds" to refer to my fans, but is nice that I can tie my name with my audience. Its nice to open it up and it fits, so after a few years it just stuck to mean my fans. She also explains on her MySpace page "I'm Marina. You are the diamonds." People think it refers to my band, like Florence's Machine, but that's not the case at all.

How did your band form?

I started playing five years ago; the way I got here was actually very calculated. I had planned it from when I was 15 years old, but I had never written a song or anything because I was very nervous about how I sounded. I was obsessed about being a singer even though I wasn't very good at it. I had a lot of ambition and drive to reach that goal. In the beginning I was really terrible [laughs]. I moved from Greece to London when I was 19 and I did a lot of auditions and the more I began to write my own songs, the more things started to happen for me. I bought a laptop and started producing my own sound with Garageband. People like Daniel Johnston influenced me, so he is the one to blame. He encouraged me to go the DIY way as opposed to the record label way and here we are now.

How would you describe your sound in your own words?

Experimental pop with an alternative sound. Yes, I would describe it as probably experimental pop, I enjoy both sides and I don't want to commit myself to either one. So I think experimental pop is the right category.

What are your musical influences?

Except for Daniel [Johnston] it would be Fiona Apple, I could relate to her a lot in my upbringing. I grew up in a small village so all we got was commercial music like Madonna and Britney Spears. Oh I love the Distillers, Patti Smith, PJ Harvey. I'm really attracted to people who have a slight DIY tactic, who have a human live imperfection.

What music are you currently obsessed with?

This girl I found, her name is Sheridan, her stuff is really good, she is unobtrusive DIY, I really enjoy it. I'm also listening to Ellie Goulding, Erik Hassle and Metric.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I don't really believe in guilty pleasures so much, because each genre and song has a purpose, and if you like it, you like it for some reason. But I guess it would have to be 3 Words by Cheryl Cole feat. Will.i.Am.

Beatles or Stones?

The Beatles, for sure.

Do you have a festival survival kit?

If you are camping, baby wipes and survival food in case you get stuck out in the wild. Girly stuff like mascara, eyeliner, and a mirror because you won't know what you look like for four days, yea I think that's it.

What was the last physical CD you purchased?

Oh Jesus! A physical CD? I think it was Juliana Hatfield. Also this is way back but PJ Harvey's 'White Chalk.' I should have bought Lady Gaga's CD, but I was too lazy, so I just got it on iTunes.

Anything else you'd like to say to Spinner.com's readers?

Yes! I can't wait to come to America and... yea that's about it.

Jazmine Valencia is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.