R.A.W Interview: SOUNDS OF MARIANA

R.A.W Media had the pleasure of interviewing new Illbient/lofi DJ and Producer SOUNDS OF MARIANA fresh off the release of her new project 'GIRL IN THE RAIN'!!! 

The, 8-track, instrumental project is definitely one that Hip-Hop heads will feel with it's soulful sound!!! 

R.A.W Media - Before we get started, on your new project, tell us a bit about yourself. 

SOUNDS OF MARIANA - Well first of all I would like to say thank you for having me on the site. My creative name is SOUNDS OF MARIANA and I'm a 23 year old transgender DJ and Producer from the Isle of Man. My real name is private and something I don't want to disclose to the public as this is about my musical output. Those who know me know me and those who don't then this is for your eyes only. 

I started getting involved in music, in my early teens, making mixes to play to friends and family before I started getting into production in my late teens. 

I never really pursued it too much for personal reasons but always knew that when I felt comfortable enough that I would push it a bit more. 

R.M - You've just released your debut project 'GIRL IN THE RAIN' through, Philadelphia based, 2300 Music's Bandcamp. What was your approach to this project and what do you want people to get out if it? 

S.O.M - I wanted to create something that made both me and the listener feel something real. 

Music has become so diluted now that it's a task to find something out there that truly projects genuine emotions. 

I wanted to put out a release in which each track made you feel something different. Whether happy, sad, lost, found, confused or whatever and I really feel I've accomplished that with 'GIRL IN THE RAIN'. 

As someone who's transgender I feel it's a real, truthful, offering of the person that I am and the creative input I've poured into it has helped me come out of my shell more. 

Whilst being transgender is a huge part of who I am, as an individual, I'm not doing this to make an attempt to push the LGBTQ agenda, onto the musical community, I'm doing it to make me feel good about me and hopefully it will make others feel good to. Whether your gay, straight, bi, trans or whatever. This is about music and my love for it and what it can do for people. 

It would also be a dream come true to hear some deep lyricists on these as I feel they would truly bring these instrumentals to life as I've always loved MC's and what they bring to certain productions. 

R.M - Who are some of your musical influences? 

S.O.M - My influences are mostly from producers like J Dilla, DJ Shadow, DJ Spooky, DOOM, Madlib but I like all types of music and pull influences from the feelings particular songs give me. 

I'm really a sucker for a nice lofi sound. Almost dreamlike in how it sounds. Something that you can stare out the window and drift away to. 

R.M - Well thank you for your time. Is there anything else you'd like to say, or let people know, before you go? 

S.O.M - I'm just excited to let 'GIRL IN THE RAIN' blossom and capture people the way my influences, and their songs, captured me. 

It would be amazing to see this grow into something more than just tracks, and mixes, that I make for my close friends, and family, and into something bigger. 

I'm a pretty quiet, and reserved, girl so fame and fortune are not my drive but to touch people's souls with the music I create. 

Music is a beautiful thing and I just want to share my love, and passion, for it with the world. 

SOUNDS OF MARIANA's debut release 'GIRL IN THE RAIN' is out now on 2300 Music's Bandcamp at the link here - SOUNDS OF MARIANA - GIRL IN THE RAIN (Stream + Purchase)