Promising new talent Maria Timm has been involved with many bands on the Aarhus music scene (Broken Beats, Marybell Katastrophy). Cheeky and coy she is now spreading her wings as a solo artist and has managed to become one of the most hyped acts in her native Denmark over the last couple of months. Here’s what she told us.
When did you first decide you wanted to make music?
I started playing music when I was seven, but the decision came when I was sixteen. That’s when I started to work hard on it. Actually when I was in school I wanted to do theatre and acting. My first priority was theatre and my second was music. I only got my second so I ended up in the music team, where they put a bass in my hand. I fell in love with it and I didn’t want to stop. So it all became about the music.
Do you play any other instruments?
Bass is my main instrument, but I also play the guitar.
And how did you start professionally?
I got kicked out of a band and I decided, hell no I want to do it myself. [laughs].
Talk to me about your debut album ‘The Plan’.
I did it with my ex-partner. We don’t do music together anymore. We did it at home, programming a lot of stuff, playing and just fooling around generally. And then we got some good contacts from our manager and everything just kind of happened. I also expected it to happen, because I thought we had good music and I’ve be playing for so many years, working and touring in Europe and stuff like that. So for me it goes without saying that if I am going to do my own thing it’s going to be released, there is going to be records and stuff like that. It was kind of natural and what I expected.
Where does the title of your first single (‘Dirty Place’) refer to?
It’s inspired from a book I read called ‘Evil’. The dirty place actually is an ‘evil place’. When you are in an evil, bitter state of mind. It’s more about being angry and has got no sexual connotations. Some sentences from the book popped up in my mind and then I just started writing, described this person’s life and Anders Boll – my ex-partner – made all the beats and stuff.
Who are you biggest music heroes?
Nina Simone, Johny Cash, Dr John. It’s all old stuff… and usually people get really surprised, because my album is kind of electronic. That’s Anders’ fault. I want to use real drums, I want to do it more rock ‘n’ roll, but because of him it became something else.
Which song would you like to have written?
‘Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter’ by Nina Simone. It’s one of my favourites. The lyrics, the drumbeat and everything is amazing…
Which are the elements that make an artist stand out?
Good question, well that’s always the thing you can’t put your finger on, isn’t it? That’s why there’s always something special about one artist, because you can’t point it out. But you know, somebody who lives and breathes for music – or painting or whatever it might be- and can’t do otherwise.
Describe a typical day of Maria Timm?
Well lately it’s been very lazy and haven’t been really working much. I haven’t been playing for a couple of months and my computer broke down so I couldn’t even work on my record. A typical day would be, checking your emails in the morning, go down to the rehearsing room, rehearse with some band, go out and play concerts. Usually in a good month I play on every weekend in Denmark and maybe a couple of gigs abroad.
What’s your biggest ambition?
To earn a bit more money than now. I am already living out of music and that has always been my ambition. I would like to be comfortable, because you know every month I am ‘Oh my god where is the money gonna come from?’ But something happens and it works out. It’s just something for when you get older.
Will there be an album follow-up soon?
Yeah, I am already working on it right now.
Is it going to be less electronic then?
Yeah, it’s 100% me. I am doing it all by myself and I decided also now that I am going to mix it myself too. I just bought some decent speakers.
What should we expect?
Well, you can hear it’s me of course, but it’s edgier and a bit rockier. There aren’t that many keyboards anymore. Also the singing is a bit more challenging, not that many pop choruses and stuff like that..
When should we expect a release?
In the autumn.
Your immediate plans after EuroSonic Noorderslag?
I am going home to rehearse for another band which I am touring with in February in Denmark, it’s a small acoustic set-up. Last year we did Denmark but this year will be focusing on Europe…
Words and photo by Vasilis Panagiotopoulos
