Mariami

In an era when micro-genres abound and yet everything sounds strangely the same, discovering a new corner of the musical universe to explore is a rare treat. NYC-based singer Mariami offers just that however, breathing new life into the folk music of her native Georgia (think Stalin, Tblisi, former Soviet Union not ATLiens, Stone Mountain or Confederate flags) with a mix of reggae and modern r&b. LargeUp put us up on the reggae-fusion part with this post of her version of the traditional Georgian melody “Nanina.” Get more backstory below, scroll down to stream and if you are a New Yorker, don’t miss Mariami’s show at S.O.B.’s tomorrow night. - Okayplayer

The name Mariami is already well-known to the American public and now it is time for Georgia to meet its incredibly talented daughter with a magic voice whose songs have conquered New York. Mariam Bibilouri, who has been named a versatile R&B singer & arranger by the American media, moved to USA together with her family at the age of six. Despite living abroad for many years, the young singer has managed to retain her Georgian roots – this is clearly felt through the folk elements in her songs. Thanks to her grandfather Shota Bibilouri , who was a musician for Georgian National ballet Sukhishvili, Mariam has not lost the connection with Georgian folklore. Mariam’s songs span jazz, soul, pop and R&B genres, allowing people of different tastes to enjoy her music. Georgian Journal sat down with the successful singer who has recently paid a visit to her hometown, and asked her share the story of her career.

“When Americans hear my Georgian songs or their distinctive elements in my music, they simply jump to their feet and dance.”

GJ: Mariam, tell us how your career in the U.S. started.
MB: I grew up in a very musically-inclined household in Vermont, a mountainous American town. My grandfather, who was a musician and came with us to America, taught me to play the piano as well as sing Georgian songs. Once we even performed together at a concert held at the American school there: I danced Mtiuluri (one of Georgian dances) while clad in national Georgian dress and he played the accordion. Georgian folk music and melodies have always been somehow infused into my music during my entire life.

I graduated from Emerson College in Boston and received degree in Performance Arts together with the minor degree in Berklee College of Music. It was there that I met the musicians with whom I created my first album. I was still studying at the university when I came back to Georgia in 2007, for the first time after so many years. I had a cultural shock upon arrival: I could not speak Georgian very well, but I fell in love with my culture and people once again. I was so inspired by my country that I even dedicated the first song called Mother of Mine from my album to Georgia. Later, when I moved to New York, I started working with a new band and eventually published my second album called Gates. Everywhere I go, I take a Georgian flag with me and I proudly speak about my country and its culture. After my first visit to Georgia I started to experiment with Georgian music without knowing what the final result would be and how both American and Georgian audiences would perceive it - I simply followed my heart. Luckily, the American public accepted the songs I performed in this style with great excitement. When they hear my Georgian songs or their distinctive elements in my music, they simply jump to their feet and dance, despite the fact that they don’t understand the language.

“Fortunately, the way Georgians accepted my music exceeded my expectations and I am really excited.”

“The main purpose of my visit was to introduce my music to the Georgian public.”

GJ: What was the purpose of your latest visit to Georgia?
MB: To introduce my music to the Georgian public. It was something that I wanted to do ever since my second album was finished. I did not come last year because the album was not yet ready and I kept saying to myself that I have to complete it before I go to Georgia because on a personal level, this album is a new chapter of my life. In comparison with my first album which is more in the jazz style, Gates is rather modern and incorporates R&B as well as Georgian folk elements. Together with my American guitarist Justin Mathews, I had an opportunity to perform at the Movement Theater in Tbilisi and at Leo Grand Hotel in Batumi, as well as the U.S. Embassy in Georgia and I was honored that the ambassador’s wife understood my music and story.It was a big responsibility for me, since I wanted to represent both Georgia and America positively through my performance. Fortunately, the way Georgians accepted my music exceeded my expectations and I am really excited. Before I return to the U.S. I also plan to conduct master classes for internally displaced people in the village of Koda. Moreover, I plan to shoot videos for my songs in Georgia in the near future that will include Georgian national dances.

GJ: What does Georgia mean to you? Could you single out your favorite places?
MB: Unfortunately, due to my busy schedule I have not managed to visit many places. Still, I went to Rabati Stronghold, Batumi city, walked around the capital and am also planning to pay a visit to Kazbegi. I wanted to see the mountainous regions of Georgia - Svaneti, Tusheti and Khevsureti - very much, but I hope I will manage it next time. I was amazed by the capital as well. I like the contrast of old and modern architecture, yet I think too many skyscrapers will not fit with the city’s overall appearance. I also have to mention the immense number of tourists. I met a lot of foreigners almost everywhere I went in Tbilisi, at the Glass Bridge, in the cable cars ascending to the Narikala Fortress and at other sites as well. It is also impossible not to mention Georgian cuisine. It was hard to resist the temptation and not to just dive into Georgian dishes. It is difficult to single out one of so many: Chakapuli, khinklai, pkhali, khinkali, satsivi and khachapuri.
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GJ: Could you tell us about your future plans?
MB: I am going to release a third album and come back to Georgia with my full band. Also, as I have already said, I want to shoot certain parts of videos for my few songs in Georgia.My only hope in coming here was that people could relate to my music and my story, and that has come to fruition. Now I want to make the work I have done here relevant in America and continue to bridge the gap. I think once both markets and countries accept my work, then it will be easy to take it to a global level. In addition, I am preparing for an important show that will take place in January at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) that I got an invitation to. It is a very prestigious multi-arts center located in New York. Additionally I plan to tour America & Europe in late 2015 and early 2016. There is a lot of exciting work that lays ahead with spreading the music and my Georgian inspired messages globally. - Georgian Journal

Emerging Brooklyn based artist Mariami has just released her new album “Gates”. Mariami, who originates from the country of Georgia, and whose music is an eclectic mix of contemporary R&B, Jazz and Georgian Folk music, will also be celebrating the release of the album at our January Sol Village show. Her new album is reflective of what we already knew about her as an artist, she pushes the limits or r&b and helps take the genre sonically to a place few have been able. - You Know I Got Soul

Brokechella 2015 is going down this weekend and we couldn’t be more excited for this low-cost festival close to home. With a lineup that touches on everything from indie pop to comedy to the LA beat scene, Brokechella is a melting pot of emerging sounds and talent. There are plenty of artists we love on the killer lineup here at Nu-Soul Mag but we thought we would break it down to our 10 favorite. Check out our list of 10 artists that we recommend at Brokechella 2015! Then see you April 18 for all the fun. - Nu Soul Mag

Surely you’ve heard reggae mixed with all sorts of other sounds, but we’re betting you’ve never heard it blended with Georgian folk music. When Tblisi, Georgia-born (that’s Georgia as in the former Soviet republic, not the Southern U.S. state), New York-based R&B singer Mariami told us about her song “Nanina,” we didn’t know what to expect, not being versed in Georgian folk and all. Once we heard it, though, we instantly caught on to the vibes, even if we couldn’t possibly recognize the song’s roots (Besides for just being an inherently musical utterance, “Nanina” is actually a traditional Georgian lullaby.)

Stream the track, off Mariami’s newly-released Gates EP (which you can hear in full here) below, tell us what you think in the comments, and if you like what you hear (and happen to be a New Yorker, too) catch her at SOB’s on Jan. 21st. - LargeUp.Com

Translated to English:
http://www.okmagazine.ge/index.php/2015-06-10-13-55-41/interviu/1330-mariami-didi-survili-maqvs-saqarthveloshi-chems-bendthan-erthad-davbrunde - Ok! Magazine Georgia

Brooklyn, NY singer-songwriter Mariami reveals the new single "Gates (Georgia On My Mind)," a sonically sound record from her forthcoming EP. Like the previous featured "I Cried," Mariami pours out her emotional state on the record, making for an eargasmic adventure.

Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2014-02-28/Mariami-Gates-Georgia-On-My-Mind/#ixzz3p7fE3RnA
Read more at http://singersroom.com/content/2014-02-28/Mariami-Gates-Georgia-On-My-Mind/#ixzz2uv9wWNvY#43Mw7m6K16thXcr4.99 - Soultrain

Brooklyn, NY singer-songwriter Mariami reveals the new single "Gates (Georgia On My Mind)," a sonically sound record from her forthcoming EP. Like the previous featured "I Cried," Mariami pours out her emotional state on the record, making for an eargasmic adventure.

Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2014-02-28/Mariami-Gates-Georgia-On-My-Mind/#ixzz3p7hQZkYK
Read more at http://singersroom.com/content/2014-02-28/Mariami-Gates-Georgia-On-My-Mind/#hHgvlGwRCfBbs4a4.99 - SINGERSROOM.COM

A couple tracks from Brooklyn-based pop/R&B artist, Mariami‘s forthcoming full length project. Gutsy move sampling the same James Brown track, “The Payback” as on the Total/Notorious BIG 90s hip-hop/R&B classic, “Can’t You See”! - Different Kitchen

Mariami is willing to sacrifice many things for love, but you won’t catch her giving up her pride. Hailing from Tbilisi, Georgia—the country, not the state—the unsigned R&B singer showcases her steadfast devotion to her principles as well as her smooth, jazz-inflected sound on newly-released promo single and DJBooth debut I Cried. Bae Bro handles production on this low-key selection, layering leisurely guitar and atmospheric synth-strings over a mid-tempo rhythm section as the songstress recounts her struggle to stay true to the memory of an old flame, without losing herself in the process. Those who like what they’re hearing can cop I Cried now on iTunes, as well as keeping their browsers locked for further song releases from this talented up-and-comer. - DJ Booth.Net

Toronto-residing singer/songwriter Mariami drops her whimsically-soulful Christmas song “Lucky Baby.”
It’s not traditionally Christmassy; there’s aren’t any sleigh bells, very little mention of other holiday novelties, and the only talk of the jolly big guy is in reference to him being her last resort to getting her boo thing back.
“When I wake up, you better see my baby, Santa I’ll be good now please,” she sings on the McCallaman-produced song.
“Lucky Baby” follows her early-2015 project Gates. Stream the non-traditional holiday offering below:

Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2015-12-21/Toronto-Artist-Mariami-Offers-Up-Unique-Holiday-Groove-Lucky-Baby/#ixzz3v3WaIkaO - Singersroom.com