Studios: Platform CPH, Copenhagen Platform Studio, Stockholm Egehuset, Fakse-Ladeplads Brown Baby Studio, Santa Monica, CA Café Intime, Frederiksberg Polar Studios, Stockholm
Engineers:
Anders Ringman
David Hildebrandt
Chris Laney
Maria McTurk
It takes talent, charisma and drive to be a complete artist. Danish singer/songwriter Maria McTurk has all that – in spades. Her energy and positive attitude is balanced by her ability to take a step back and analyze situations and emotions while writing songs.
Maria’s background in music is nothing but eclectic. She has sung both classical, jazz, country and heavy metal. But it all started with opera and musicals.
“My parents only played classical music and instrumental jazz at home” Maria remembers. “I wasn’t allowed to listen to the radio, but one day I discovered a forgotten album my parents once received as a gift: The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”. It changed my life".
Her parents realized that Maria’s hunger for new musical expression was insatiable and would later laugh at their efforts to give her such a conservative upbringing.
“I think they finally gave up when I sang out my heart to Nina Hagen and David Bowie”, she laughs.
Maria wrote her first song as an early teen and mainly taught herself to play the guitar. Her first serious band project was an a cappella swing trio. Later, Maria joined a cabaret before she started singing jazz. In the early 90’s, Maria was discovered by metal band Royal Hunt. It ended up with her joining the band as a back up singer, a collaboration that goes on to this day, including recordings and several international tours.
After years of experience it’s time for Maria to finally make her mark as a lead singer and songwriter. Her first solo album is a logical conclusion to an intense period of songwriting. Sometime around April 2007, she started writing songs with accomplished Swedish songwriter and producer Anders Ringman. They instantly felt that they were onto something special and decided to make an album. They also got a couple of English and American songwriters aboard, among them Wyzard, bass player and songwriter in the legendary American band Mother’s Finest. (He wrote the band’s greatest classic, "Baby Love").
Maria and Anders are both very driven lyricists, and spent a lot of time writing the lyrics. The songs are more or less about Maria’s own experiences in life, about love, relationships and growing up – or not!
“My strength as a singer/musician is probably my ability to tell a story. It feels good to sing about something I can relate to, even though my situation has changed over the years”.
The key track off the album is probably "The Morning Song", but every song deserves its place on the album. The last song "You Make Me Feel" has a certain vibe as it was recorded live at a local café a Sunday morning. “I wrote the song just after teaching myself some piano and thought of writing a song”.
It is that spontaneity and ability to ceize the moment that makes Maria McTurk’s debut album so special. It’s one of those albums that grow on you. So give it a few spins and see what you think. It may end up being one of your best friends.
The essence of your beauty, a smile upon your face. Beauty understanding, and truth in your grace.
A happiness inside, some times hidden away. Those days not all is well, but more in gentle truth to tell.
One moment of time, another in your eyes. Some of tears, others in grief, to be loved and gifted relief.
Your God, your Heavenly Father, gifts, truth and happiness. This was all of you, a wonder to seek, the mountain, the summit, and peak All in admiration, as if distance was never the hurdle to climb.
My dear Maria! Merry Christmas! Just wishing you and yours from the bottom of my heart strong health, much happiness and love! Have a good time with a lot of fun! God Bless you and the ones who make up your family! Much Love! Hugs Irina
Hiya, thanks for being a friend - I enjoyed visiting YourSpace :-) Keep it up May your life be full of love, light and fun... hugs SOREN - Beats for change - NYERTUN
Hi Maria stopping by to say love your music and invite you to a listen of my new minute long version of White Christmas.Thank you and the Best To you always. tim
Thanks Maria, Checking out your new album right now ! You have such an amazingly beautiful voice !! Hope all is well over in lovely Sweden ! Puss och Kram !! Ginger
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