|
|
|
|
M2M in Oz!
WE first met Marion Raven, one half of Norwegian pop group M2M, two years ago where we were greeted by a shy and talented then fifteen-year-old. Two years on and Marion has developed into a mature and confident young performer. M2M of course came to the world's attention when they released their huge debut single "Don't Say You Love Me" along with their first album "Shades of Purple". This helped to establish M2M as one of the most exciting young bands to emerge onto the music scene. Reminiscent of ABBA because of their exceptional harmonies and mirroring the rawness and energy that the Beatles displayed on their records, M2M are back with their second album "The Big Room" which is being hailed by critics as THE pop album of the year!
In this candid interview, Marion talks to us about boys, music and the making of "The Big Room".
GIRL: Your new album is called "The Big Room". Why did you decide on this title?
Marion: The studio where we recorded the album was a big room and we all went in there and played everything live. We lived there for six weeks, so we just wanted to dedicate the album to the big room.
GIRL: You and Marit wrote most of the songs that appear on your new album, whilst travelling around the world. Is this where you both feel at your most creative?
Marion: I feel I am at my most creative when I have strong feelings about something like love, jealousy and so on. It really depends on what is going on at the time, so we could be anywhere when I get an idea for a song.
GIRL: Do song ideas come to you more easily now than they did two years ago?
Marion: I don't know actually, I think it's the same really.
GIRL: How old were you when you wrote your first song?
Marion: I was thirteen.
GIRL: When composing a song, what do you usually come up with first - lyrics or melody?
Marion: Sometimes lyrics will come to my head so I write them down in a little book I have with me all the time. Then I might get a piano idea which I also write in my book and then I put the two together to see if there is anything there. It could also be that I have a piano idea first before lyrics, so it really depends.
GIRL: In your bio, it mentions that 'you never want to make the same record twice'. Is this a conscious effort on both your parts or is it just something that evolves each time?
Marion: Yeah we just want to evolve and get better each time and we get bored if we make the same record twice. We want to be artists and we want to have a long career.
GIRL: Since the release of your debut album "Shades of Purple" two years ago, M2M continues to go from strength to strength. Are you quite used to all the attention you receive these days?
Marion: We think it's great that people know who we are, which means that more people obviously like our music.
GIRL: When you and Marion first started out as M2M, what was the most you hoped to get out of the whole experience?
Marion: We hoped to make a lot of records and perform at really big concerts, we've always had big goals.
GIRL: For this album you teamed up with musician/producer Jimmy Bralower. Why did you decide to work with him again?
Marion: He's a really great guy and he was in a band when he was fourteen so he knows how it feels to be young and in the spotlight I guess. He really listens to our ideas and respects us, which we think is important. He has worked with really great guys like Eric Clapton, so he totally had the sound we wanted.
 GIRL: The single "Everything" is about a relationship break up. Is this song based on a real life experience either of you has had?
Marion: Yeah it's about a boyfriend I had who never called me…I was so mad (laughs) so we wrote a song about it. At least one good thing came out of it…(smiles)
GIRL: And what does he think about the fact that there is a song being played all around the world that is dedicated to him?
Marion: He hasn't said anything so I don't know…but if he asks, I'm going to say to him "oh you're so selfish!" (laughs)
GIRL: Do you currently have a boyfriend?
Marion: No I don't, we have no time for anything but our music at the moment.
GIRL: Would you like a boyfriend?
Marion: Yeah I would (smiles).
GIRL: You are going to be touring with Jewel next month as part of her American tour. How much are you looking forward to this?
Marion: We are looking forward to it a lot. We are going to be touring with a band and are performing for 30 minutes each night, so we are very excited about this tour. I think it will be very good for us because Jewel has the right audience we want to attract, and we kinda want to be like her.
GIRL: You recently appeared on Rove Live. Did you have a good time?
Marion: Yeah it was fun, we met Rove and he came to say hi.
GIRL: What is your favourite song off the new album?
Marion: I really like "Wanna Be Where You Are" because it's very personal to me. It's about this boyfriend I had and because we were always travelling, I never got to see him and I really wanted to be with him.
GIRL: You were both quite young when you introduced M2M to the world, does it feel strange growing up in front of the public eye?
Marion: Well we don't really feel it here in Australia or anywhere else, but we do feel it in Norway, where we live. We are growing up normally just like other teenage girls but people will say things like "oh you're wearing much more sexier clothes now" and we're like, "well every girl does when you turn eighteen!" So it can be a little weird at times.
 GIRL: It has been awhile since your last visit to Australia. Will you have time on this trip to check out some of the sights here?
Marion: Well I had a night off last night so I just slept, but when we were in Sydney, we visited Darling Harbour, which was beautiful.
GIRL: Do you ever get tired of travelling?
Marion: Yeah I do - I get tired of being in the plane and having jet lag afterwards. And it gets tiring carrying our suitcases and running in airports all the time.
GIRL: Have you completed your education?
Marion: No, we only do one subject at a time with exams, so it takes a long time to finish. And because we are working so much, sometimes we don't even get to complete the subject.
GIRL: That must be very hard, juggling school and work commitments?
Marion: Yeah it is, but you only get the chance once or never, to do what we are doing, so that's the sacrifice you make I guess.
GIRL'S 60 SECOND QUIZ
 Full Name: Marion Elisa Raven
Star Sign: Gemini
Fave Food: Everything my dad makes
Fave Film: Don't Say A Word
Fave Actor: Angelina Jolie
Fave Animal: Cats
Describe Yourself In 3 Words: Nice, Funny & Moody
Best Feature: My Hair
Worst Feature: I can hold grudges
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: Paul McCartney
Hobbies/Interests: Being with friends, shopping, dancing, going to parties
First Job: Musical Theatre
A Talent You Wish You Had: I wish I could play drums
The Best Advice Given To You: Be yourself and believe in your dreams
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My cell phone
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be? It's a Norwegian cartoon character called "Nanny" - she's just like me.
If you were told you had a minute to live, what would you do? Be with the ones I love and shop for black boots!
- Annemarie Failla & Michelle Palmer
www.m2m.com
www.marion-raven.com
WIN A COPY OF "THE BIG ROOM" - CLICK HERE FOR MORE DEETS!
|
|
|
