emi loves...: MAA

-Artwork by emi-

I had had the idea to start a music download blog a long time ago, even though, many of the things I post are available elsewhere, but I abandoned the idea for a while, and it wasn't until the debut of this artist and the end of last year that really made me want to start it up again.

I wanted to have a place of my own on the net where I can provide MAA's music in the most formats, just so it's that much more easily accessible to any random person that might stumble across here, and happen to love her. And so, she is the first artist I'm adding.

Bio- From last.fm:

MAA (first name Maria, last name not disclosed), born January 25, 1986 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is a Japanese electronica/pop artist, formerly known as MAR, the vocalist of short-lived rock group MarBell. After the group

disbanded, she debuted in September 2010 with the electro-pop single, “GHOST ENEMY”, under the stage name MAA, which comes from her name Maria.

With thirteen tattoos on her body (the alligator on her back being her symbol), she is known for her rough nature due to her outgoing and carefree personality. Her exotic looks, due to an American father and Japanese mother, have drawn comparisons to many Western pop artists. Due to her eccentric attitude, many have given her the nickname, “psycho Cinderella”.

In December 2010, her debut mini-album, “Monkey Kingdom” was released. MAA said, “My papa calls me a crazy monkey, so I titled the album Monkey Kingdom, as in my own kingdom,” she explained. “If people could have the chance to get to know me through this album, I think that’d be a good thing.”

Personally, my favorite thing about MAA and Monkey Kingdom, is that the lyrics are so incredibly personal and honest, and for me, she really proves that, you don't need to have fantastical metaphors and imagery to have beautiful and genuine lyrics.