MAVICA, The Spanish Artist To Look Out For [@iammavica_]

Words by: Andrea Susarrey

MAVICA is the ever evolving artist that’s defined less by sound and more by the stories she’s telling.

MAVICA , aka Marta Casanova, is a Spanish artist making sweet and intimate psychedelic dream pop. Currently located in Madrid, after several years living in Berlin and London where she dove head first into making her music, she now reaps the benefits of her creative efforts. Speaking to MAVICA we touched on her journey so far, musical influences, the effects of the pandemic and more.

Interview with MAVICAfollows below.

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How do you describe your music?

I’ve never liked to categorize my music in any one style. But it is very clear to me that what is important is to tell a story through my music as a way to express myself, at least that’s how I started. And as time has gone by, it’s become more of a search for sounds to try to interpret my story. 

Do you base that on the music you’re currently listening to?

Yes, I started being influenced by folk music and pop, a lot more conservative than now. And now I’m into more electronic, or latin music etc. All of those different musical influences affect my music in a much more personal way whilst also letting me experiment with music and sounds that I haven’t played with before like synthesizers or rhythm boxes. 

What are you listening to at the moment?

Fred Again, Caroline Polacheck, Oklou, and Charli XCX.

Tell me how you got started.

I started playing in the street! I started busking in Berlin about 6 or 7 years ago. But when I was much younger I started writing poetry and verses, I would add music to it but I didn’t really know how to play any instruments at the time. One summer after school I taught myself how to play guitar and when I moved to Berlin I began busking and playing covers on the street.

What brought you to play in the streets? 

I had extra time on my hands! I began playing on the streets out of curiosity and to get over the fear of doing it. Also, I realised it paid the rent! I ended up playing for 3 or 4 years and living off that alone. 

After I came to London and was studying production, I realised it was taking up too much time and energy to play in public. I would come home too exhausted to write music, and thanks to that I got the motivation to release my first two EPs. 

How has the pandemic affected you from being able to perform?

To be honest, I haven’t really stopped playing music. I’ve been playing a lot of private concerts for Sofar Sounds in Madrid, as well as an online music festival in South America. But it’s true that my approach has changed due to everything being online and because everything can exist online I’ve spent a lot more time in the studio and on production. My voice used to be the most important part for me but as my process evolved, it’s taken a back seat to production and perfecting other styles. and now I produce and write my lyrics at the same time

What are you most excited about for your music?

I think what excites me the most is the idea of playing my music in front of so many people, like a huge concert. I hope one day! Also, the idea that one day twenty years from now I can look back and see a huge catalogue of records that I’ve made. I think the idea of having a big collection of my music to leave behind and being able to see my process over the years.

Credits:
Photographer – Helena Cebrian
Stylist – Katie Sorrell