Norwich-based Maria Uzor singer has released her new single, Sometimes They Look At You, with her debut solo album Soft Cuts to follow on 13 October. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about her new song, she says, "I came away from a conversation with someone and wondered why we always seemed to have crossed wires. It was like nothing each of us said ever landed with the other.
"I realised it was because I was talking from a place of possibilities and they were talking from a place of absolutes; two very different languages. Of course, we weren't going to understand each other!
"Sometimes They Look At You is basically just an acknowledgment of that; no judgement, just recognising that language and communication is so much more than the words that come out of your mouth."
Maria Uzor plays: 8 September: Reading - Down At The Abbey Festival. 16 September: Coventry - The Tin. 18 October: London - Brixton Windmill. 25 October: Norwich - Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom. 23 March: Derby - WFR Central 24.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m drawn to authenticity. My love for Brussels sprouts borders on obsession. I really dig nun’s habits and I’m not sure why.
How would you describe your music?
I’d describe it as being at the intersection of where I am now, where I’ve been in the past, and where I want to go in the future. Music for time travellers and those who dart between dimensions.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’m always drawn to people who use music as a way to discover themselves and their place in the world. Music as reflection. People who take risks and don’t concern themselves too much with trends. Artists like Björk, Gazelle Twin, Bowie, Tricky . . .
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I remember my mum taking me to a Gregory Isaacs concert. She always used to play his music around the house when I was a kid and I think there’s some subliminal inspiration from there in my own tunes. At the gig though, I remember everyone waiting around for hours, and then some bloke coming on stage to announce that he wouldn’t be playing because he was ill. People were pissed! Haha!
What was the first record you ever bought?
Once again my mum comes to the rescue on this one! I didn’t realise how big an influence she had on the formative years of my music consumption! I remember her buying me an album of 1950s rock `n’ roll classics from a charity shop. Stuff like Rock Around The Clock and Del Shannon’s Runaway. I played that to death! Haha!
What’s your favourite song right now?
This changes every day, often multiple times in a day. At this precise moment in time, as I type, my favourite song is Super Sharp Shooter by Ganja Kru.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Great question! There’s so many great arrangements of words set to music. Right now, I’m gonna say the line in Because by The Beatles; "Because the wind is high, it blows my mind". Beautifully expresses the feelings of wonder and humility that arise when we’re faced with the incomprehensibility of the Universe and existence. I always feel so energised by the wind too. It really excites me, like it whips up feelings of potential and possibility.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably birdsong. I think anything else would drive me mad!
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. my website, Bandcamp.
Alan Corr
