MARIS has been making dreamy alternative bliss since last year. Creating heartfelt and harmonious indie rock joy, splattered with plenty of pop sensibility, her journey has been one of success after success up until now. And now it’s for her first big statement, her debut EP. But rather than just releasing a few songs, she has taken another step. She has created a whole movie to accompany it.
The EP is called Gravity, a word and sentiment that is expressed in debut single “Heavenly Bodies“. Collecting together all of her releases up until now and adding in two fresh new tracks, it’s a perfect embodiment of the world she has built over the last ten months. Vibrant, glittery and brimming with rambunctious attitude, she is a star in the making with a knack for plucking the heartstrings. From the hazy synths of “Was It A Dream?” to the throbbing bass of “False Idol“, it is a smorgasbord of inspiration and innovation.
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She had this to say about the release:
“I’m so excited to put out my first larger body of work. Accompanied by a series of music videos that combine into a short film that I co-directed with the amazing Caro Knapp. From writing these songs through tears alone in my room, or with incredible producers and writers in studios or on Zoom, to creating the zine pages and the podcast episodes, to making the music videos, and finally playing the music live on tour. This process has taught me so much and been fulfilling in so many ways.”
And then there is the small matter of the movie. 17 minutes of fascinating, fresh and fun visuals, it is a triumph in itself. From animation to underwater, 80s workouts to travelling across the big city, there’s a bit of everything.
MARIS had this to say about bringing the film to life:
“The musical journey, the visual experience, the cartoon, and the sci-fi epic extravaganza is the biggest opportunity to create a visual that I’ve ever had. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve escaped the worries of my day-to-day life by listening to music and imagining the movie scene it would soundtrack.
“Once I started writing my own music, my dream became making movies that are soundtracked by my own songs. So, when we selected the songs that we wanted to put out, I got to work making the vision boards and shot lists for the visuals I wanted to make!
“My label, Black House, and management, Best Friends, are equal parts crazy and spectacular for executive producing this project, and letting us be daring and ambitious with the visuals. I’m elated and nervous and excited and terrified and so proud to finally share the entire project!”
