Newcastle favourite goes global: Marissa Saroca (+ FREE CDS)

by Helen Henry on January 20, 2011

Don’t be deceived by her size (she stands only a little over five feet high), local songstress Marissa Saroca is a giant in terms of talent.

Twice winner of the 1233 ABC Newcastle ‘Best Female Vocalist’ Award in 2005 and 2006, Saroca has since seen her music career blossom – an album released, world travel and more of both planned in 2011!

Marissa and I met for the first time when I interviewed her in 2007, and it was great to catch up…

You spent a lot of time travelling in 2010, didn’t you?
Yeah, I most recently came back from the UK and Europe. I was there for just on six weeks and I had gigs in London and Paris, which was awesome!
In London, I played the Regal Room, which is a really great venue. A nice room above a pub – the stage is great, the sound is great and they have a grand piano there. I also did some crazy open mic type things. You never really know where you’re going or what you’re going to find when you get there. I played an open mic night in a dodgy part of town in London. I chose that night to wear a new bright gold sequined jacket that I’d just purchased – the amount of heckling from cars on my walk to the venue was a little unsettling… It was interesting to see how they run that sort of night overseas and to see the caliber of other acts. I met some really great musos too.

What’s the plan for 2011?
I’m heading back to America in May for 3 months. Before that I want to record an EP and launch it here in late March or early April. I’ve been playing a lot with the trio – myself, Adam Miller and Adam Morris – so I want more of a ‘live’ feel, not so produced, more of a ‘one take’ vibe. I want it to be something to hype with now and it’ll be a lot closer (than the album) to where I’m at and what I’m doing. By the time the album was released it was a year in the making and some of the songs were written a year to five years prior to that, so they were a bit old anyway. Now I think it’s more upbeat and groove driven as opposed to just the piano, melodic ‘R & Bemo’, as Miller calls it.

What is your favourite local venue to play at?
I really love playing at the Brewery, especially on Thursdays when it doesn’t seem to be as much about people getting drunk. It’s a great stage, lighting, Sean is amazing on sound and the staff are great. It’s a really good vibe and it just feels very professional. It feels like a real show and looks really high class. They’ve been getting some great touring acts there as well.

I also really love Lizottes. I’m looking forward to performing in a production of RENT there on March 2nd, also starring Amy Vee and Marty Worrall. It will be one of the first times the stage has been used for a theatrical purpose since it became Lizottes, which is exciting. I’m also doing a Live ‘N Local spot there on March 16th.

Who is another local musician that people should check out?
There are so many, do I just have to pick one? Basically, all of my friends! I was at a Live & Local night recently at Lizottes and a few of my friends were playing – Amy Vee, Holly Clayton and Ron E Jones (who is about to release his album through Tommirock). Daniel March is another great friend of mine and his shows at Lizottes recently were amazing! I also often cameo with The Nickson Wing & Little Blak Dress and think they’re great.

What is it that appeals to you about guesting with other bands?
I might have four gigs on a weekend and they’re all with different people – it keeps it all really fresh, interesting and fun. The thing I’ve learnt more than anything is that if you’re having fun then everyone else will have an awesome time. From a business point of view, it’s great too. I did one song at The Cambridge with The Nickson Wing in November. It was packed and there were 400 people who wouldn’t usually come to a show of mine, that I wouldn’t normally be able to reach. Apart from that, I love their music, we’re all friends, and we’re all trying to get to a certain stage. It’s really cool that, for the most part, Newcastle is really great with that – everyone plays their part and helps each other and it’s pretty chummy I find.

Who (dead or alive) would you love to have in your all-star band?
After much deliberation… Pharrell Williams, Beyonce and Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Blink 182, and Sting.

Where can we access your music?
Cheaper Than Therapy is on iTunes, and I have many boxes in my bedroom!

Where can we see you perform next?
The Depot on Beaumont Street on 28 January and 18 February.
Hunter St Bridal Precinct Activation on 13 February 13, 7:20 - 7:40pm
RENT at Lizottes on 2 March – reprising the role of Maureen (which I first played at the Civic Playhouse in 2007)
D’Albora Marinas, Nelson Bay on 5 March
Live & Local at Lizottes Newcastle on 16 March

We’re giving away 10 copies of Marissa’s album Cheaper Than Therapy! First in best dressed, so shoot us an email.

You can befriend Marissa on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and keep in the loop on Tumblr & Myspace.

Image courtesy of Marissa Saroca.