We recently connected with Marina Massanova and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marina, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

What could be riskier than choosing a music career when you already have a degree in psychology? Madness fits me like a glove, and that was the first major misunderstanding I encountered with society. From the very beginning, it was a wild path.

Being seen through others’ eyes is always a gamble. That’s why I believe being misunderstood is something all human beings experience constantly. Every person views us through the lens of their own traumas, experiences, and current mood. Whether they’ve had a nice lunch or are craving a donut can influence how they see us. So, I doubt I’ve ever been fully understood as I truly am. But I actually find that very artistic and beautiful. The same thing can have a million interpretations depending on who is looking.

My project is provocative and bold. I often present myself as an angry, confident, or seductive character. Many people assume that’s the only side of me, but it’s just one of a hundred facets. The mad side fits my music project best—that’s why I love bringing it to the stage. But in real life, I often surprise people. I’m easygoing, fun, and sometimes even shy. When I politely say “hello” and start a nice conversation, people are often surprised: “Oh, I thought you’d be more brusque and wild! But you’re actually really nice!”

Marina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi!

We haven’t met before, but I think we could get along. Do you ever feel angry, endlessly sad, or crave something a little…forbidden? And, hmm, do you enjoy horror movies? If you said yes to any of these, then we already have something in common. So, let me show you what’s inside my artistic box for you!

I create musical horror stories.

Ten years ago, I met a guy on Twitter. He lives in Newark, USA, I live in Berlin, Germany. We’ve only seen each other once in real life. He’s a wasted witcher and a dragon maker; I’m a land-bound mermaid and a red magic enthusiast. Oh, and we’re both musicians. His name is Cola Rammë.

For ten years, we never made music together—talking was fun enough. But last year, we thought, “What if we combined our powers?” Something terrifyingly magical might just happen. And it did. We experimented and created our first musical horror story. It already has two chapters, filled with mystery, drama, and, of course, unexpected musical twists.

This year, we released the second chapter of our twisted tale, “Uncomfortable Magic,” and it’s out on all your favorite music streaming platforms. But this is just the beginning—there are plenty more spooky, spine-tingling chapters lurking in the shadows, waiting to surprise you!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe many people don’t realize just how much their support impacts the lives of their favorite indie musicians. Even the smallest gestures matter!

I’m a fan of a small indie artist myself, and I feel a strong connection with them. I get their emails—written by them, not someone from the marketing team. They share their soul, their struggles, and I get to witness their growth. It’s like watching a plant grow, and you nourish it with your comments, reposts, and donations. It becomes part of your life. Indie artists also have more freedom to experiment than big industry artists, so you’re constantly surprised—first with violet leaves, then blue, and suddenly, purple thorns! You’re mesmerized. It’s an experience that’s hard to replicate with global superstars.

If the artist is local, you can go to their concerts regularly, attend after-parties, and even talk to them directly. I love Beyoncé—I’m a huge fan—but I doubt I’ll ever get the chance to speak to her for even five seconds.

As a fan, I cherish this intimate experience. And as an artist, I deeply appreciate my “gardeners”—without fans, the plant withers.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Let’s take a look at how I usually create something! It starts with me lounging on my sofa—already a solid beginning, right? No uncomfortable clothes, just pajamas and my comfy spot. Then, I come up with some funny rhymes that make my boyfriend laugh. After that, I can dive into the internet and dig deep into historical facts, biology, science, or mathematical paradoxes to add an interesting twist to my story. Finally, I open my heart and pour some real feelings into whatever I’m working on, and boom—the song is ready.

It might sound very different from what people usually do, but honestly, it’s not. It’s the same hard work and routine. I don’t rely on inspiration as a muse, but on consistent effort. So, in the end, it’s not so different from any other job—even though the setup could surprise you with its playfulness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marinamassanova.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinamassanova/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SSH.recordlabel
• Other: https://msha.ke/marina_massanova

Image Credits

Pure Gonzo
Celine Lehmann