Artist of the Day | MARGARET MARIA
ARTIST OF THE DAY
02.02.2022
MARGARET MARIA
LOCATION
Toronto & Ottawa, ON, Canada
GENRE
Post Classical - Cinematic - Instrumental
CURRENT MEMBERS
Just me - composer, producer and cellist
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
I was in Ottawa, teaching my students and feeling somewhat lost looking at the state of the world and feeling for the first time that this pandemic is a global problem that we need to tackle together...the whole world working together for the first time in its recent history. If only we could all stop everything for one month, across the whole globe, the virus would die, it would have no place to go...that was my initial thought.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
A few hiccups in the plan, as I have an album that is still being affected by the pandemic. I am recording an album of my music for the CMC Centrediscs Label with the funding of the Ontario Arts Council with the incredible soprano Donna Brown who lives in Montreal. We are trying to finish this project that was meant to be finished over a year ago! Due to travel and restrictions and how Covid has affected us personally, it has been a challenge to get into the recording studio here in Ottawa! But I did release my latest album ‘Where Words Fail- Music for Healing’ that was inspired by my own health issues and my sister’s traumatic ICU Covid experience this past year. My publicist, Eric Alper, is helping to make this release easier than my previous ones by getting the word out to the world to hear my newest music that means so much to me.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
I try to feel grateful every day and not get too obsessed by the state of the world. I try to create that which I am missing; peace if I feel anxious, or I write out my anger and angst into some powerful music. I am thankful I have such an outlet to express what is inside and there is no implosion. Things have also slightly opened up in Toronto and Ottawa, so I have been taking care of my metal health my exercising at GoodLife and getting stronger. When things shut down, I resort to my weighted hula hoop, put on some beats and hula some of my worries away!
How are dealing with the Covid fifth wave? Have things locked down again in your region? Have you had to cancel gigs, tours, etc.? Are things reopening & restrictions are lifting in your region? Have you booked any new gigs, tours, etc.? What are your plans for 2022?
I am not a touring musician, as I pretty much create my music in the studio environment. But I do miss feeling the energy of live music and meeting in person with fellow composers at Toronto Ravel which used to meet monthly at Hugh’s Room to study scores and share our music (but is still transitioned online). I did get to play one gig this year with the amazing singer songwriter Lynn Miles at Stonecrop Acres Winery in Morrisburg and it was so awesome I can’t express how amazing it was to play a live show and feel the energy and reactions of the audience...and then the next 3 shows at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa were cancelled. A roller coaster ride of highs and lows for all my friends who make their bread and butter from performing!!
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
If you are looking for music that is healing, inspirational, full of warm beautiful waves, please take a listen to my latest music and share it widely. My wish is that my music can heal, inspire and help those in need, like it helps me to heal and get through some pretty crazy moments in my own life.
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