EP: \u00a0Can you tell us a little about yourself for our readers who may not be familiar with you?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: Long story short… I started my first rock -group when I was 13 years old, and have kept on doing what I love the most since. My former group SURFEROSA toured around the world, supported The Killers, released 3 albums +++. I was a judge of norwegian Idol in 2007. Been nominated best and worst dressed woman in Norway many times. LOL ! Hmmmm….so much has happened. I remember my first gig in London in 2002…. Courtney Love loved my band and invited me to see her dj at Metro Club. She grabbed my tits and tried to tongue-kiss me, asked if I wanted to go to an after-party with her.I refused to go without my band. “Only you”, she said. When I said no, she screamed “FUCK YOU “. I screamd “FUCK YOU” back. Rock\u00b4n roll.<\/p>\n
Now I\u00b4m solo, and ready for new adventures!<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0How different do you find living in London to Norway?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: I live in both places. It\u00b4s like having two lovers at the same time. London is bigger and more crazy in a good way, and Oslo is more like London\u00b4s little brother. More calm and smaller.<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0You spent some time as a judge on Norway’s version of ‘Idol’. Did you find it easy or difficult to criticise other artist?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: I didn\u00b4t criticise other artists.. I tried to choose interesting and “different” people in the competition, cause Idol needs it. Two of my favorites are big artists in Norway today! I\u00b4m soooo proud of them!<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0Would you advise emerging artists to take the TV talent show route?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: Well, it\u00b4s up to them. I would never do it myself. I\u00b4m into a different type of scene for my way of doing music and writing music. People must do what they want to do! I\u00b4ve written a song about it called : WHAT I WANT. It\u00b4s going to be on my upcoming album.<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0What was it like supporting The Killers with your former band Surferosa? Did you get the chance to hang out with them?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: We are still good friends today! When The Killers play in Oslo, we always eat, drink and hangout! I\u00b4m their host \ud83d\ude42 It was amazing touring with them, cause we loved their music and they were really nice towards us. We did USA, Canada and Uk together. 2 years ago I made some music Mark Stoermer when I was in LA. Great fun!<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0How does it feel to have been crowned Best Dressed Norwegian Artist and have your own room in the Norwegian Museum of Popular Music?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: It\u00b4s fun and a big honor! I have been dressed worst several times too. he he !!! Who care! You can say I\u00b4m over-the-top interested in design and music ! HEART !<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0Your new single \u2018Banjo For My Bitches\u2019, is due for release on 6th July, what can you tell us about that?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: So excited about it! I\u00b4ve worked so hard to get where I am today, and I so pleased with the result. The first taste of my music-world is BANJO FOR MY BITCHES. The song is recorded by Zebra1 and mixed\/mastered by Dario Dendi. It will be released on my own label, POPJOY records. I kinda like the do-it-yourself thing…. if you wanna get things done!<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0Who are your musical inspirations?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: Tricky one. I have to say David Bowie, The Prodigy, Dr Alban and rock’n’roll! My genre\u00a0is a mix of rock, pop, electro and afro! I call it WTF!<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0What do you like to do away from the music, how do you relax?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: I go the the woods, the mountains and the sea. Seriously! Hardcore nature-hiking! The best thing is to be outdoors… besides doing music !<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0You are both a vocalist and a DJ, what would you say was your greater passion?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: I\u00b4ve been singing all my life and DJing for 14 years, and these two passions go hand in hand.<\/p>\n
EP: \u00a0What are your plans after the release of \u2018Banjo For My Bitches\u2019?<\/strong><\/p>\nMR: My plans are to play as much as I can live in the UK. I\u00b4m planning a London-tour in the fall. And then we’ll see…. Now I\u00b4m enjoying the moment, cause I worked so hard for this! 4real!<\/p>\n
‘Banjo For My Bitches’ is set for release on July 6. Mariann Rosa will be performing at The Hawley Arms, Camden, on 18 June.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We introduced you to Mariann Rosa a couple of months ago – since then we’ve had the opportunity to speak with her. <\/p>\n
![\"Mariann-Rosa1\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Mariann-Rosa1.png?resize=492%2C561&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n