Biography
Mara & The Big Rock Stars
Bored with the Los Angeles acoustic scene and committed to putting the fun back into playing music, award-winning singer/songwriter Mara has transformed her five-piece band of seasoned musicians into a unique cover project - playing the kick-ass rock tunes the other guys just won't touch. You'll find no "Brown Eyed Girl" party standards here. Strictly high-energy Oh-My-God-I-Love-That-Song rock from the 80s, with a few other decades thrown in to keep everyone guessing - and dancing! Audiences of all ages follow their roaming party from venue to venue, bringing the rock hits to clubs, festivals and private/corporate parties. The difference is in the five-part vocal harmonies and can't-take-your-eyes-off-her front-woman, most often compared to Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks and Nancy Wilson.
Mara - The Singer/Songwriter:
Sexy, passionate, acoustic rock that takes you on a journey to everywhere you've been or hope to go is how one fan describes Mara's music. This award winning singer/songwriter rocks audiences with high-energy live shows, either solo acoustic or with her band, The Big Rock Stars, which showcase her natural talents as a powerful vocalist and entertainer. Music Connection Magazine hails "Mara is a star in the making. She seems one break away from achieving the type of success that Janis, Stevie Nicks and the Wilson sisters enjoyed." They also listed her latest EP, Tease , as one of the Top 25 CDs of 2004. Produced in Los Angeles by Chris Fudurich (Britney Spears, Sophie B. Hawkins, Susanna Hoffs, etc.), the disk features Andy Georges (Jewel, Sheryl Crow) on guitar and a guest vocal from Adam Kowalczyk (Live).
A six-time recipient of the ASCAPLU$ (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) award, recognizing her as an active and promising young songwriter, Mara has earned accolades from much of the music industry - including the prestigious Billboard and John Lennon Songwriting Contests. Femmusic.com named Mara "Top Independent Solo Artist," and she has received nominations from the LA Music Awards for 'Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year' and 'Pop Artist of the Year'. In addition, she has secured a coveted spot on Music Connection Magazine's 'Hot 100 Unsigned Artists' list for the past seven years in a row.
It's Who I Am, Mara's debut album on Flying Coaster Records, received a nomination from the LA Music Awards for 'Pop Album of the Year'. The overall theme of finding your place in the world has struck a chord with diverse audiences of all ages. Don't Let Me Run, the single from the album, hit #1 on the MP3.com Acoustic Rock chart. Mara also signed an agreement with Bunim-Murray Productions to license It's Who I Am for MTV programming, including the hit reality series The Real World and Road Rules. Other film and video placements followed, including Columbia Tri-Star's cult hit, Infested.
A native New Yorker, Mara jump-started her career playing on the streets and in the pubs of Scotland. She soon found herself playing five packed nights a week for locals and International backpackers, promoting her acoustic self-titled EP. Invitations for live radio appearances and performances as a featured artist at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival kept her on the move. She returned to tour in the UK, and to play at the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. Her performances gained national media coverage on Scottish television, radio and worldwide webcasts.
In the states and overseas, Mara performs over one hundred live shows every year at high-profile festivals (South By Southwest, CMJ, Atlantis, Canadian Music Week, etc.), colleges and clubs. She honors the memory of her Grandmother and the struggles of other family members by committing her time to various breast cancer charities (including performances at Avon 3-Day events) and by donating a portion of every album sale to breast cancer research.
Instrumentation
Mara & The Big Rock Stars (5 piece band)
Mara - Vocals/Acoustic Guitar
Ante Novaselic - Electric Guitar
Joe DiLeva - Bass
Jon Poli - Drums
Pancho - Keyboard
Acoustic solo and trio performances also available.
Discography
Wedding Song - Single - May 2005
Tease - EP - September 2004
It's Who I Am - Debut LP - 2002
No Apology - Maxi Single - 2000
Mara - EP - 1998
Links
| http://www.marasong.com |