Marija S
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Marija S

Calgary, Alberta, Canada | INDIE

Calgary, Alberta, Canada | INDIE
Band Rock Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Marija on City TV"

Acoustic version Of Carry on - City TV


"Marija on City TV"

Acoustic version Of Carry on - City TV


"Marija's Comeback music to her ears"

Calgary's Marija Smolcic has always loved to sing.

The daughter of Croatian immigrants, she was taught traditional songs and performed in local choirs before spending most of her 20s touring with rock and country bands.

But she feared she would never perform again when she lost hearing in her left ear after a pre-show feedback check went awry in 1995.

"I found out I was partially tone deaf and to a singer that's devastating," recalls Marija, who uses just her first name professionally.

"You need your pitch. So I just quit music. What was I going to do? I wasn't going to sing off key."

Marija moved to the Yukon where she married and had her first son, but admits she fell into a depression.

"Everyone gets depressed sometimes, but it was really hard for me because I believed I would never sing again," she says.

Seven years after the accident, however, Marija began writing songs again and taught herself how to sing without the use of her left ear.

"I had to learn to feel more than to hear," she explains.

"I had to learn to use my right ear more and to feel the music through the bass. When I started writing songs on bass guitar I was like, 'I might be able to do this again.' "

Marija slowly rediscovered her voice and began performing in public, which she says cured her depression.

"It just lifted immediately when I got on stage. I just know for a fact that the stage is where I'm supposed to be and I have to find a way to be able to perform no matter what."

Marija says although she was scared at first to rely almost solely on the feelings in her stomach to stay in tune, she now enjoys her shows more because of it.

"It's much more emotional for me now," she says. "The coolest thing is, I know people who knew me when I sang before and they tell me I'm a better singer now. I think it's because I really feel it now, it's a whole different way of singing."

Marija's sound -- which is a mix of Alannah Myles, Sass Jordan and classic Pat Benatar -- attracted the attention of producer Michael Wagener (Alice Cooper, Skid Row, Motley Crue), who invited Marija and her band to Nashville, where they recorded much of her debut CD, On the Inside.

"I thought it was a joke when he contacted me," she says. "But he was amazing."

Marija's CD release show is tomorrow night at Original Joe's in Avenida (12100 Macleod Tr. S.) - Lisa Wilton/ Calgary Sun


"Marija's Comeback music to her ears"

Calgary's Marija Smolcic has always loved to sing.

The daughter of Croatian immigrants, she was taught traditional songs and performed in local choirs before spending most of her 20s touring with rock and country bands.

But she feared she would never perform again when she lost hearing in her left ear after a pre-show feedback check went awry in 1995.

"I found out I was partially tone deaf and to a singer that's devastating," recalls Marija, who uses just her first name professionally.

"You need your pitch. So I just quit music. What was I going to do? I wasn't going to sing off key."

Marija moved to the Yukon where she married and had her first son, but admits she fell into a depression.

"Everyone gets depressed sometimes, but it was really hard for me because I believed I would never sing again," she says.

Seven years after the accident, however, Marija began writing songs again and taught herself how to sing without the use of her left ear.

"I had to learn to feel more than to hear," she explains.

"I had to learn to use my right ear more and to feel the music through the bass. When I started writing songs on bass guitar I was like, 'I might be able to do this again.' "

Marija slowly rediscovered her voice and began performing in public, which she says cured her depression.

"It just lifted immediately when I got on stage. I just know for a fact that the stage is where I'm supposed to be and I have to find a way to be able to perform no matter what."

Marija says although she was scared at first to rely almost solely on the feelings in her stomach to stay in tune, she now enjoys her shows more because of it.

"It's much more emotional for me now," she says. "The coolest thing is, I know people who knew me when I sang before and they tell me I'm a better singer now. I think it's because I really feel it now, it's a whole different way of singing."

Marija's sound -- which is a mix of Alannah Myles, Sass Jordan and classic Pat Benatar -- attracted the attention of producer Michael Wagener (Alice Cooper, Skid Row, Motley Crue), who invited Marija and her band to Nashville, where they recorded much of her debut CD, On the Inside.

"I thought it was a joke when he contacted me," she says. "But he was amazing."

Marija's CD release show is tomorrow night at Original Joe's in Avenida (12100 Macleod Tr. S.) - Lisa Wilton/ Calgary Sun


"Turn a bad day into good.."

"'On the Inside' never drops to pedestrian, strong and steady throughout.
this is one album I can listen to over and over.
Every week I drive 200 miles, and every mile of that is assisted by 'On the Inside'
Highly recommended for those who like Fleetwood Mac ('70's line up), Janice Joplin, Kate Bush or Heart.
Addictive is not the word!!!!"

Your CD can turn a bad day good again. Countless times I have repeated certain songs as I feel such a connection to them. I believe once found out; they will be top of the charts radio hits!! " - Karen Eigler, 2 Star Golden Circle Crystal Executive


"Turn a bad day into good.."

"'On the Inside' never drops to pedestrian, strong and steady throughout.
this is one album I can listen to over and over.
Every week I drive 200 miles, and every mile of that is assisted by 'On the Inside'
Highly recommended for those who like Fleetwood Mac ('70's line up), Janice Joplin, Kate Bush or Heart.
Addictive is not the word!!!!"

Your CD can turn a bad day good again. Countless times I have repeated certain songs as I feel such a connection to them. I believe once found out; they will be top of the charts radio hits!! " - Karen Eigler, 2 Star Golden Circle Crystal Executive


"Ultimate Singer/Entertainer"

"Marija I think you are the ultimate singer/entertainer . You get the whole audience to participate with you and have them eating out of your hand whenever you are on stage. And the best part is that you are a wicked singer. Keep up the good work. Your CD sounds awesome!!" - Jack Carney (Jake Carney booking agency entertainment), Jake Carney booking agency entertainment


"Ultimate Singer/Entertainer"

"Marija I think you are the ultimate singer/entertainer . You get the whole audience to participate with you and have them eating out of your hand whenever you are on stage. And the best part is that you are a wicked singer. Keep up the good work. Your CD sounds awesome!!" - Jack Carney (Jake Carney booking agency entertainment), Jake Carney booking agency entertainment


"Amazing voice"

"If I had to describe the music I would say it's anywhere in between Fleetwood Mac and Janis Joplin. Amazing voice, great songs, great sound. All the best -mw " - Michael Wagener, Wireworld studios


"Amazing voice"

"If I had to describe the music I would say it's anywhere in between Fleetwood Mac and Janis Joplin. Amazing voice, great songs, great sound. All the best -mw " - Michael Wagener, Wireworld studios


"WOAU"

"Marija! WOAU...WOAU...WOAU... I can't say it enough...what a voice, amazing singing, respect!" - Adrian, Prototypemusic


"WOAU"

"Marija! WOAU...WOAU...WOAU... I can't say it enough...what a voice, amazing singing, respect!" - Adrian, Prototypemusic


"Clip from Satoshi's review"

But it makes me cry anyway. WHY! I felt like I saw the light within the clouds called chaos in the sky. I was trying to think why her voice makes me so impressed. Arrangement or passing modulation? Voice or words? I don’t know, but I am sure of the chemistry in her songs. Marija wishes, begs, grieves in her song. Severely, heavily, and sometimes weakly. She absorbs our emotions and sublimates. My feelings fly away with the wings of angels. There are not many vocalists who can make such chemistry.



Why she can, deeply moves me. I want you to find the answer by yourself.

And I hope the light will shine on her and the wings of fame will take her to a higher place." - SATOSHI NATSUSHI Arist, Producer, Radio DJ for local FM station Japan, Tokyo Japan.


"Clip from Satoshi's review"

But it makes me cry anyway. WHY! I felt like I saw the light within the clouds called chaos in the sky. I was trying to think why her voice makes me so impressed. Arrangement or passing modulation? Voice or words? I don’t know, but I am sure of the chemistry in her songs. Marija wishes, begs, grieves in her song. Severely, heavily, and sometimes weakly. She absorbs our emotions and sublimates. My feelings fly away with the wings of angels. There are not many vocalists who can make such chemistry.



Why she can, deeply moves me. I want you to find the answer by yourself.

And I hope the light will shine on her and the wings of fame will take her to a higher place." - SATOSHI NATSUSHI Arist, Producer, Radio DJ for local FM station Japan, Tokyo Japan.


"Marija-On the Inside CD review"


Marija - On the Inside
Shadows Talk
Published January 7, 2010 by Christine Leonard in CD Reviews

A seasoned songwriter with numerous soundtracks to her credit, Calgary’s Marija proves herself to be wonderfully adept at breathing life into the stories she weaves through her impassioned vocals. Road-hardened and streetwise, Marija sagely chose enormously successful producer and engineer Michael Wagener to put the polish on her debut album. Heading down to Nashville’s Wireworld studios, she eventually whittled a 40-track dream journal down to the 10 modern ballads that made the final cut. It’s an amazing accomplishment considering that an unfortunate onstage accident in Vancouver robbed the chanteuse of the use of her left ear some years ago, forcing her to relearn her talent. A local vocal chameleon of mainstream proportions, Marija channels Stevie Nicks for “Can You Handle This?” and Shania Twain for the countrified “Human Again,” and sounds like no one but herself on the self-conscious “Don’t Watch Me Like That.”

- FFWD Calgary Magazine


"Marija-On the Inside CD review"


Marija - On the Inside
Shadows Talk
Published January 7, 2010 by Christine Leonard in CD Reviews

A seasoned songwriter with numerous soundtracks to her credit, Calgary’s Marija proves herself to be wonderfully adept at breathing life into the stories she weaves through her impassioned vocals. Road-hardened and streetwise, Marija sagely chose enormously successful producer and engineer Michael Wagener to put the polish on her debut album. Heading down to Nashville’s Wireworld studios, she eventually whittled a 40-track dream journal down to the 10 modern ballads that made the final cut. It’s an amazing accomplishment considering that an unfortunate onstage accident in Vancouver robbed the chanteuse of the use of her left ear some years ago, forcing her to relearn her talent. A local vocal chameleon of mainstream proportions, Marija channels Stevie Nicks for “Can You Handle This?” and Shania Twain for the countrified “Human Again,” and sounds like no one but herself on the self-conscious “Don’t Watch Me Like That.”

- FFWD Calgary Magazine


Discography

Marija's album "On the Inside" was released in October 2009.
Marija and Shadowstalk "Nothing Is So Then What" 2011
Marija Acoustic released soon 2013.
All music available on CDBABY or ITUNES.
Physical CDs can be ordered from CDBaby or from shadowtalk.com

Photos