Music
Press
“Maria Kizirian is going to be a name that everyone in the Bay Area will be hearing about in the music scene. Her CD “On the Rocks!” is a fascinating journey through the mind and soul of the artist. The poppy-bluesesque songs have catchy hooks and great melodies
throughout.
The production of the album is great as well. Just when you think that the album stays in one genre on all the songs, you get suprised when it changes in a different direction. Maria’s voice will captivate you as well. Her strong vocal capabilities will knock you down. Go and get the album... You will find it in your CD rotation at home alot. You may want to catch her before she blows up bigtime! ”
-Kevin Karr - Vallejo Times and Herald
“Maria Kizirian is a songwriter and performer to watch. Her
distinctive use of melody and catchy and hooky top lines give
her pop writing a unique edge that defies convention in a world
of cookie cutter try hards and wanna be’s. Astrong commercial
edge is what is needed to shift units in today’s ever ailing music
economy and Maria’s material has all that and then some….”
Mike Puskas - Mike Puskas, Astral Records CEO
"WOW!!! I got goosebumps listening to Maria's wonderful vocal performance throughout "Pain In My Heart".
Maria's singing is comparable to that of Ann Wilson, Shania Twain and Melissa Etheridge. Jake Voutilainen musical arrangements and whom performs most of the instruments, wraps Maria's voice in a warm & vibrant dynamic.
I was most impressed with the songs, "When The Lights Go Down", "On And On" & "Pain In My Heart".
STEEL 93 will begin playing both "When The Lights Go Down"" & "On And On" beginning March 22 or 23. And, will continue to play them for the next 30 days.
-Adam Z, Steel 93 Radio - Steel 93 Radio
“The Voutilainens are an important part of our rock history...
Now Jake Voutilainen has made songs together with his daughter,
Maria Kizirian...“On The Rocks” is Maria’s calling card to the US
market and world of rock. The rawer action seems to work better for
her than the blue-eyed soul that she recorded earlier for Finland’s EMI.
When listening to “On The Rocks” one is convinced that Tornio-born
Maria is absolutely the most talented out of the singing Voutilainens...”
-Arto Junttila
- Torniolainen Magazine: Finland
“Maria’s powerful vocals make her a can’t miss in the Music Industry. Indie
or Label. Her vocal range is outstanding! The listeners at STR absolutely
loved her music when she was featured last night on my Show. I am
thrilled to have the opportunity to play her music. If you haven’t picked up
a copy of her “On The Rocks” CD, you don’t know what you’re missing!”
-Billy G
- Supertraxx Radio
Maria Kizirian’s “On The Rocks” passes through blues, pop and rock, sometimes all in one song. Just when you think you know what you are listening to she masterfully passes onto another genre. You hear her amazing talent, from her songwriting to the deep powerful smoky vocals,as in my personal favorite “Feels So Bad It’s Good.”
I for one, have no doubt that we are going to be hearing a lot more from the very talented Maria Kizirian.
-Marlene Palumbo
- Indienink Music
I finally got a chance to listen to Maria Kizirian’s new song, “Retro Man”, and I LOVE IT!!! Great song! I cannot wait for her to come out with some more new stuff so I can play it on my next show!
-Jamm’n Jay
- I-SIS Radio
Discography
US Release:
On The Rocks (Savee Music 2006)
Retro Man (Savee Music 2008)
Songs most played on radio:
*Retro Man
*Heart Of The City
*Mr. X
*When The Lights Go Down
*Rebel Heart
Photos
Bio
Maria Kizirian is from another world. Born in Finlands Arctic region and partially raised in middle-America by a rocker, producer, and master guitarist Maria is a product of God given talent, early exposure to world class music, and very cold weather.
As far back as she can remember - music represents a driving force in her life. At the age of four, she started taking violin lessons and performing soon thereafter at recitals. I think that my parents had high hopes and aspirations for me and violin she laughs. she laughs. However, on the side remember making up cute songs about my siblings, and that was my entry into songwriting without even realizing it.
Maria was a stellar violin student from early on. By age ten she was performing with her hometown Symphony, and advancing rapidly. She also learned to play piano at age 8. Meanwhile, bands such as Heart and Bon Jovi had also been shaping Maria into a rock n roll fan as a little girl.
Despite her love of music and classical training, Maria had no idea that she could actually sing until she on a whim took part in a singing competition held at her Middle School. She was just as shocked as everyone else that she had such a strong voice. She won. This encouraged Maria to start entertaining dreams of pursuing life as a singer.
The violin began playing second fiddle as Maria started to record demos and meet with record company executives throughout her teen years. At age 17 she was courted by BMG to join a Pop girl group. What seemed a great opportunity quickly fizzled away due to her parents forcing her to first finish high school. This decision was not in vain she continued to hone her singing and write songs - building a repertoire.
Within two years, EMI Music Finland courted her and she signed a deal with them. Of course I was still green in terms of what it really means to be a recording artist and work hard for ones dreams,
means to be a recording artist and work hard for ones dreams, Maria says. Maria says. Maria was a member of a highly recognized music family in Finland, so she was in certain ways stuck creatively.
She was often compared to a relative - a peer close in age that was already a house hold name in a different style and genre of music, and Maria was also often reminded of her rocker dad. In order to differentiate herself, Maria minimized her association with her other family members and focused on her songwriting.
The results resonated with the media - radio charted her singles, and the largest publications featured her as The New Name in Pop Music.
During the making of her debut album Once upon a time, Maria married an American and returned to the land of Maria married an American and returned to the land of her musical roots. This was her greatest risk to date - going independent and shining a light on the deepest and sometimes the darkest parts of her heart and soul with the birth of her US album On The Rocks. The album is a collection of literate, often brutally honest songs that reveal Marias renegade soul.
Maria collaborated with her father Jake Voutilainen on the record in innovative ways. For example, while Jake was still in Finland and Maria in the US, Jake produced the music, and Maria recorded the vocals and violin. She introduces her style of combined classical/rock violin on Mr. X, and has continued developing her now signature violin sound since. Through the production process, Maria learned self-sufficiency, and the importance of being able to move quickly regarding copyrights and control of the songs.
Maria has developed extraordinarily strong ties with her fans, particularly through MySpace. In the process, she has realized that there is a hunger for a steady flow of new songs: I kept on hearing, I love your stuff; when are you going to release your next album? But it is very difficult to take the time out to make an album as regularly as it seems necessary these days to keep your fans attention. Also, it is very costly. So, instead, I decided to use this year for an experiment. I will release a steady flow of digitally released singles, once every 2 months or so.
Retro Man is the first single, and so far seems to generate more interest than ever before... Stay tuned!
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