No Need to be polite

From Jones Industry Mag.

Another day, another industry event. South London and today’s acts couldn’t be further apart. From MLA’s smooth Jazz sound, to the heavy rock of Fierce Approach (fierce on the ears, I think)

After the groups perform there’s an opportunity for the press to attack these newbies, get hilarious quotes and a chance to tear these youngsters apart.

Except this year, in the form of a 20 something woman, Mariah Love Arron, she’s not taking any of it.

“I’ve had a bad day.” Mariah says when I finally get a one and one (well, almost one and one, there are the other band members, and a scary looking chap with dread locks presumably the drummer.)

Mariah is referring to the performance that she says “was shit, I didn’t hit a note and I was scared to death.”

Well, I agree with her on one of those counts, she was scared to death.

Mariah is young looking, with an adult expression and a silence that leaves you uncomfortable at first, then you realize, she’s just nervous.

“I’m not keen on talking about myself, but for you, I will.” She laughs, and relaxes.

The album talks progressively about the men in your life, was that the way it was meant to go?

No. But then I realized as time went on, men have shaped my life, from my father, to boyfriends and so on. I wanted to write an important album about world peace and hunger, but we realized three thirds into the album that this wasn’t a Miss World Contest, and I’m not going to say the right things to get ahead in the game. I’m going to say what’s honest.

What’s honest? According to your album you’ve been mistreated a lot throughout your life?

That’s a misinterpretation. To be honest, I hate those type of people that wallow in all the bad in their life. I try to have a positive outlook. The songs on my album aren’t about me feeling bad for “me” they are perceptions of different people, and times in my life. I don’t feel bad, bitter or angry now.

Do you think that’s how your music comes off?

Again no. My music is passionate and honest. If people think it’s a long moan then they aren’t listening. It’s confessional, it’s open, and not everything is perfect, I love the imperfectness of the song writing, the instrumentals and my vocals.

You said today you couldn’t sing?

I’m never confident in my self. I think you have to strive for perfection.

And are you getting there?

The whole point about being a perfectionist is that you never live up to your own ideals. You never stop striving. And you never get bored. I hope never to lose that about myself.

On stage, you seem comfortable, yet you have said how difficult you find it?

I’m a walking contradiction because on one end of the scales, I’m very shy and reserved. On the other hand I can be outloudish, extravagette and insane. I’m a lot like my father like that. So when I get on stage, I am battling with my reserved self, while wanting to absolutely lose it. (laughs)

You talk about your father on the album, was that difficult?

It was hard for me to broach that subject. I don’t want to wrong my father by saying anything negative, but there have been moments like that. But I always wanted to be honest. My mother raised me, not my father, he’s now in my life and I feel lucky. But it hasn’t been plain sailing. On the next album (if) there is one, I’d like to write about how our relationship has developed. Hopefully it will be my first, truly, happy song.