Maria Rodhe is a Swedish musician, who’s latest track, Calling For You, was featured recently in a round-up review I completed about Nordic artists. I decided to find out a little more about her – read on below to find out more!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a track titled Calling For You, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the track and where can it be purchased?
Calling For You is, in contrary to my other songs, a love song that tells a story about the importance of love to ones self. Before you start chasing happiness in a relationship with someone else or even other things or activities, Calling For You implies that you should fall in love with the person you see every morning in the mirror first.
My music can be purchased & thus downloaded from iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music, Tidal, Shazam, DJPool and iHeart Radio, to mention a few. It can also be streamed on YouTube, Spotify, Deezer, Anghami and SoundCloud.
What does the title refer to?
Calling For You calls for the person inside the body and flesh of us all, let’s say the soul. The song is spiritual to me. It took me forty years to hear myself calling for the little Maria that both deserved to be loved and that was loved by herself.
Our past experiences can make it hard to love and find the love for ones self. There are however no shortcuts – it starts with YOU. Learn to work on and cherish your flaws as the fact is, we all possess them. Our flaws are what make us unique and vulnerable in a way.
Has the pandemic hindered your work much?
Absolutely! I sang with a cover band when the pandemic hit us. The band lost all planned gigs and it broke my heart. I was in the beginning of my musical career and the arena totally disappeared. We tried to manage live rehearsal/jam sessions on Facebook to be close to our live crowd, but it took time to setup. Anyway, that is now part of my history.
What is the writing and recording process like for you?
I have, as many other musicians have, another full time job. With my life as an entrepreneur, I’m working already too much if you ask me! But I teamed up with Johan El- Khoury. Without Johan, I would never get any music produced. He’s a great soul that I am truly proud & blessed to work with.
Johan takes my musical vision board (basically lyric ideas, songs and instruments), and he creates the most beautiful drafts for us to start and be creative with. We work in a mix of video meetings and texting, sending tons of mails with MP4’s and recording voice messages back and forth until we have a structure and lyrics good enough to enter the studio.
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
Of course! I have more to come out of this creative process! I am thinking of releasing a cover on International Women’s Day (8th of March) that I did for another project. It’s an EDM version on ABBAs Dancing Queen. I also have a bunch of new songs in the pipeline to release!
Do you have plans to release an EP or album anytime soon?
To be truly honest, I am more into releasing singles this year. I’m experimenting a bit to see what pros and cons there are!
What/who influences you most as an artist?
My voice! The fact that I am able to make my voice heard is a great joy! I want to be able to inspire other people who know they can sing to start to chase their dreams! They, as I did, should start doing the reverse maths as to HOW to get there and then ACT. Calling For You focusses upon this – instead of focusing upon the inner fears and voices, focus upon ones self and love ones self, every day, in every reflection you see in any mirror. This inspires me.
What have you been listening to recently?
I have listened to The Weekend, Newkid, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith and Bryan Adams! Just follow me on Spotify and see my recently played songs!
You’re currently based in Sweden. What is the music scene like in your part of the world?
Most of all is the lack of a live arena – something that hinders many. It’s difficult to get paid as a professional unless you make it to the radio or TV. Mostly one is offered promo gigs which are for free. Playing for free is like selling my soul really cheap! I do not want to do that. I am an entrepreneur by heart and I see the value in time and effort. We all should do so.
I would take the opportunity immediately to gig at a set that was going to give me a good ROI! ROI perhaps is an unusual word within the music industry, but people – let’s face it, we can not have excuses for not to pay for a service or an experience! The firm belief in getting paid for the music I do is also about branding. Gigs that pay me well are usually more attractive for the crowd, than to play for free at small pubs or at poorly paid private gigs which don’t give me a brand that I stand for. I am Maria Rodhe, and I deliver.
Are you influenced by your surroundings?
My surroundings are a main influencer to me, and I usually surround me with things I love! However, the best music is often created out of things going wrong in life – which it does every now and then for all of us! I find it much harder to write a feelgood song that is all roses and sunshine. I must practise on that though, as my life isn’t as miserable as it might sound.
Do you have any tour dates lined up?
Not yet, so my calendar is open for suggestions! Please book me live by sending an email to: management…arodhe.com.
What can people expect from one of your shows and why should people come and see you perform live?
When I am on stage, I love being there for the crowd, but at the same time I focus a lot on the musical performance. I love to give everyone a show filled with joy, movement and sometimes tears, as well as a fun time! I can be a bit of a joker, especially when I get nervous, which is best experienced live! I don’t take things too seriously though, because life should be filled with laughter, a fine mix of some drama and lots and lots of love!
Any last words for the fans?
I love my fans! Thank you all!
I am so truly honoured that all of you great souls out there, everywhere and anywhere, listen to my (MY!) music. Pinch me, as it is still a bit surreal to me.
Keep listening and continue to interact with me on social media! I love it! Tag me in your stories, tell me what the songs mean to you, what they do for you in your life and let me know what you do while listening to my songs.
Do you vacuum, drive the car, go for walks, party? Tell me, cause I want to know!