Woman on the Verge: MAVICA

Originally from Cartagena in south-eastern Spain, London-based Marta Casanova blends folk, indie, pop and electronic sounds. In September, Mavica’s debut album 'Sometimes a Person Never Comes Back (but that’s okay)', received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard Latin, CLASH, C-Heads, Early Rising, Paste, BBC Radio 1, KCRW and got her on the cover of Spotify's 'Radar Indie' and Tidal's 'Global Rising' playlists. A frequent live performer, Mavica has played festivals Primavera Sound, Mad Cool and O Son Do Camino and has opened for Alice Phoebe Lou, Roo Panes, Blanco White and Low Island.
by Amaranta Wright
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I grew up by the coast in the south-east of Spain, but the best memories I have were the road trips with my family to the north of Spain, singing in the car with my brother competing to see who was the best singer. 
 
My parents taught me how to give. Sometimes I’m so much of a giver, I forget to take care of myself.

When I was a teenager I listened to all the Beatles albums, bought all their lyric books and used them as inspiration to write my own stories. Their songs and those lyric books helped me learn English, which was a bonus!

The most memorable book I’ve read is “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro - it was so nice to dive deep into a fiction story that felt so real and human. The book inspired me to write from a different perspective.

It took me three years to finish my first album. I felt stuck with it and was having panic attacks without really understanding what they were or why I was having them. I eventually moved from Spain back to London for a second time to start over and pursue music again.

When I need a pick me up, I remember something my cousin told me, which is that it’s better to fail and feel the pain than feel nothing at all; just live as much as you can. 

 

A few years ago I met an amazing engineer called Tom Archer, who helped me finish my album. I was struggling to get it over the line and couldn’t see the path forward. He gave me a new perspective on the songs and ended up mastering the whole album. 

I think people who make music feel things differently than maybe other people do, so to find a community of likeminded people and feel seen is inspiring.

Success is being able to make a living from music. Just making music, connecting and creating with others, sharing my stories. That’s what would make me feel rich. 

Last month BBC Introducing hosted a music night at the Southbank Centre, which they invited me to be a part of. I have always loved that building so it was a dream come true.

 

I’m inspired by connecting with other musicians, playing and writing music with them , performing shows in different places around the world and making new friends everywhere. 

I feel grateful that I’m able to channel my feelings and make them into something positive. And even more when people tell me that my music has helped them in some way.

My favourite thing is playing live. I can’t wait to be touring more, supporting other artists I admire and eventually going on my own headline tour.  
 
If I had the chance I would say thank you to My grandma Pili, she was such an inspiration to me. I wish I would have been able to say thank you for all the laughs, games we played, and wisdom she shared. We always had the best time ever together.  

I believe in human connection a lot. 

I fear falling ill or losing control over my mental health. 

A virtue that's undervalued: having a routine.

My favourite word is Tornado

My favourite question is What you gonna do?

MAVICA performs at 22:15 THURSDAY 16th May @ DUST on THURSDAY 16th May @ DUST, Brighton
@iammavica

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