Get To Know: Kara Marni
This week we're excited to introduce 20 year old soul and R&B artist Kara Marni on the back of her recent debut EP release 'Love Just Ain't Enough.'
In her new track ‘Curve’, which boldly samples Dusty Springfield’s classic ‘Spooky’, she wears her influences on her sleeve. The music video (which you can check out below)serves almost as a history of soul and R&B, with the glittery outfits and vintage microphones being reminiscent of 70s Soul Train, which then somehow blends seamlessly with the 90s R&B video aesthetic.
This merging of influence extends to her musical style, where she embraces the music she loves and in doing so has managed to create something really unique. Her sound hassomeWinehouse with a bit of Diana Ross; someSade with a bit of Roberta Flack - which all comes together to be wholly: Kara Marni.
Get To Know Marni in our interview below...
1) For those who don’t know about you and your music, tell us a little bit about who you are and where you’re from…
"I make soulful music! I’m from Londonand the love of my life is music, but fashion is also a passion!"
2) Describe your sound in three words…
"Soulful, honest and passionate."
3) Who inspired you to start a career in music?
"When I was younger my Mum used to play the 'Perfect Angels' album in the car and Iwas mesmerised by Minnie's ethereal voice! It may sound cheesy but I knew from that age there was nothing else apart from music that I wanted to do!"
4) Who are your biggest musical influences?
"Besides Minnie, growing up in a household where the great soul artists were played Roberta Flack, Diana Ross and Sadeto,more recently, Amy and Lauryn Hill, all theirvoices and songs resonated with me in different ways at different times."
5) Tell us about the writing and recording process for your new single/album…
"For my recent single 'Curve', I already had the concept before going into the studio. Iwanted to write about the feeling you have when you like someone but aren’t quite sure where you stand...but you embrace the messages you get to get you there! I wrote it with Talay Riley and we finished it up within a couple of hours!"
"The rest of my EP was written in a similar way where I bring something to the studio, whether that be a melody, a specific lyric or concept and then based on that, what I’m feeling, start it from scratch on just piano or guitar, or shape it around an instrumental a producer has made.
"With each song, I’ve tried to show a different perspective and angle of my thoughts and feelings. So I'm looking forward to sharing it with you in May!"
6) What can we expect from your live shows?
"I want to do something extra special for my next headline show, I mainly performlive with my band who are super talented. My first headline show was something I won't ever forget. It was packed out and I was on such a high when it finished. I just ended a UK and European tour which taught me loads. I got to meet so many different people and it was amazing to see people singing along to my songs in Europe."
7) What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
"When you’ve worked in a studio for years and you get to see the reaction of your supporters live, when they actually take the time to tweet, DM or speak to you if they see you, it genuinely is so amazing and I know I will never tire of that! So humbled by their love!"
8) Have you met anyone and been totally starstruck?
"I actually don’t usually get starstruck as I keep at the front of my mind that they are human just as I am too but I guess if I met the Queen that would probably leave me speechless...I tell a lie, when I met Nile Rogers that was a bit of a starstruck moment!"
9) What’s on your playlists that people wouldn’t expect?
"Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan - two of my favourite songwriters."
10) When can we see you live?
"I’m opening for Rita Ora this May in UK and across Europe and have a couple of festivals lined up - Live at Leeds, Isle of Wight and a few that have not been announced yet! Also I’m planning my second headline show this summer! I really hope I see you there."