Marika’s destiny as a culture-shaping artist was determined while growing up in England, long before she found her groove in pop R&B. From the moment she witnessed a group of artists awaken the first world through the inaugural LIVE AID, Marika’s soul was pierced not only with the desire to sing, but with a passion to encourage, inspire and influence others through music. Today, still not satisfied with the status quo, Marika’s music aims for a level of quality and integrity not often pursued among emerging artists. Her commanding vocals strike powerful arpeggios, rounding out her edgy pop/rock sound. Her lyrics take an honest approach, layered with universal subject matter and personal experience. Currently working on her first major record, Marika has teamed up with a first-rate group of Vancouver producers: Adam Hurstfield, (ROCKSTAR MUSIC CORP, Loverboy, Rosette, Bianca), Steve Smith & Anthony Anderson (SA TRACK WORKS, Rosette, Laura Pausini, Stacie Orrico), and Sean Hosein & Dane DeViller (BANANATOONS, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Rowland). Without having yet been signed by a major label, several songs from Marika’s first independent album, Untitled Chances have already been featured on channels including TSN, MTV, and several seasons of “America’s Next Top Model” (FOX/UPN).
“Music is what Ive been given,” says the singer/songwriter who recently began recording in Vancouver, B.C. “I use it to express my life and communicate the love and life that Ive been given.”
While still a breakout artist, Marika has already completed an opening 45-city tour in New Zealand-performing for over 250,000 people-in addition to concerts across various parts of Canada. A regular team of professional dancers accompanies Marika wherever she performs, engaging and delighting audiences and setting the bar for rising-artist performances. As well as peforming, Marika has been part of pioneering projects like Beautiful One – a festival aimed at encouraging teenage girls in their dreams, and Make Your Dreams Happen – a benefit show working with Vancouvers SHOCK Productions to raise money for inner city kids in Vancouver to take dance lessons.
Marika released her first single in December 2005, “Christmas Came Early,” a fun, festive pop song that aired on numerous major radio stations across Canada. The resulting buzz landed Marika a spot as a featured artist in Canadian Music Network Magazine (Dec 05/Jan 06). In September 2006, Marika released a second single ” You Know I Will ” which hit all the major hit radio stations across Canada and landed at 24 on the international top 40 charts and 5 in the CanCon charts. In January 2007, her third single “RADIO” hit all the major stations once again landing the top 20 spot on the international charts, and again 5 on CanCon. In addition to all of this success Marika was also recognized this year in nominations for the Canadian Radio Music awards as Best New Artist in the urban category, as well as her first independent album having nominations at Canada’s Covenant Awards. Marika will be shortly be seeing the release of her fourth single, which be followed up by her music video. The journey continues and for this new artist, and we are sure to be seeing more of her for years to come! In a world of generic singers, Marika stands out as unique and has an identity all her own. Her heart felt lyrics are both positive and inspirational! ~ SA Trackworks