Marina Verenikina
Encyclopedia
Marina Verenikina is a Russia
n-American singer
/musician
. She was born in the city of Moscow in the Russian SFSR
to a nuclear physicist father and a child psychologist mother. She now lives in Los Angeles and tours internationally.
was still under control of the Communist state, and Western culture
was forbidden; the only music Marina was exposed to as a child was classical and Russian folk songs. After a friend gave Marina a bootleg cassette of The Beatles
, she was inspired to write songs again. She learned many Beatles songs, which also helped to improve her understanding of the English language.
At 15, Marina won a national competition for a scholarship (FLEX/Freedom Support Act - sponsored by US Senator Bill Bradley) to study in the United States
. After living in Springfield, Illinois
for a year, she returned to Russia, and started working to save enough money to return to the US, where she felt a greater freedom for individual creativity. At the same time, Marina learned that her mother was moving to Australia
, and that the Russian school system would give her no credit for her time studying in America. After graduating from high school at 17, Marina returned to the US and Springfield, where she enrolled at Illinois College
. She graduated cum laude with a combined degree in international studies and economics-business and a minor in Spanish. During this time, she began to write songs about her experiences and relationships, channeling her emotions into music.
, was filled to capacity. Marina and Baker began writing songs together and began touring around Illinois
, enjoying considerable success. They decided to move together to Los Angeles
, California
where they currently reside. Virtually unknown in Los Angeles, Marina and Baker accepted any gigs they could find — including a successful tour of several Borders Bookstores
— and sent out hundreds of demos to anyone and everyone in the music industry. Eventually they caught the attention of David Krebs, a manager who has worked with Don McLean
, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
and Aerosmith
, among others. In 2005, Marina joined forces with Jack Douglas
, whose discography ranges from John Lennon
and George Harrison
to Aerosmith. Douglas produced two tracks for her Simple Magic album: "Underneath Your Sky" and "Killing My Dream".
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n-American singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
/musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. She was born in the city of Moscow in the Russian SFSR
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
to a nuclear physicist father and a child psychologist mother. She now lives in Los Angeles and tours internationally.
Early life
Marina started singing at an early age. Her mother arranged for formal music education. At age 10, Marina performed one of her original compositions for her piano teacher, who dismissed it as "nonsense". Marina was discouraged and stopped writing for a while. At the time, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
was still under control of the Communist state, and Western culture
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
was forbidden; the only music Marina was exposed to as a child was classical and Russian folk songs. After a friend gave Marina a bootleg cassette of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, she was inspired to write songs again. She learned many Beatles songs, which also helped to improve her understanding of the English language.
At 15, Marina won a national competition for a scholarship (FLEX/Freedom Support Act - sponsored by US Senator Bill Bradley) to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After living in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
for a year, she returned to Russia, and started working to save enough money to return to the US, where she felt a greater freedom for individual creativity. At the same time, Marina learned that her mother was moving to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and that the Russian school system would give her no credit for her time studying in America. After graduating from high school at 17, Marina returned to the US and Springfield, where she enrolled at Illinois College
Illinois College
Illinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
. She graduated cum laude with a combined degree in international studies and economics-business and a minor in Spanish. During this time, she began to write songs about her experiences and relationships, channeling her emotions into music.
Music career
Shortly after she turned 19, Marina met guitarist Nick Baker, who inspired her to take her musical talents seriously; she sold her pickup truck and bought a piano. She entered in her college's talent competition and sang her original composition "Leaving", winning first prize. She decided then to start recording her music and was able to finance a recording session for her debut CD Let Me Dream through paid pre-orders from students and faculty members. Her first show, at a coffeehouse in Jacksonville, IllinoisJacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
, was filled to capacity. Marina and Baker began writing songs together and began touring around Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, enjoying considerable success. They decided to move together to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where they currently reside. Virtually unknown in Los Angeles, Marina and Baker accepted any gigs they could find — including a successful tour of several Borders Bookstores
Borders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
— and sent out hundreds of demos to anyone and everyone in the music industry. Eventually they caught the attention of David Krebs, a manager who has worked with Don McLean
Don McLean
Donald "Don" McLean is an American singer-songwriter. He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the renowned songs "American Pie" and "Vincent".-Musical roots:...
, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American progressive metal band founded in 1993 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, who brought together Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli and keyboardist and co-producer Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. Since then, TSO sold nearly 8...
and Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, among others. In 2005, Marina joined forces with Jack Douglas
Jack Douglas (record producer)
Jack Douglas is an American record producer. He was born in New York City. Starting out as folk musician and performer, he worked on Robert Kennedy's senatorial campaign as a song-writer. Douglas then moved to England and joined a succession of bands before returning to New York to attend the...
, whose discography ranges from John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
to Aerosmith. Douglas produced two tracks for her Simple Magic album: "Underneath Your Sky" and "Killing My Dream".
Accomplishments
- Marina has received acclaim from numerous print and online publications; The Washington Post calls Marina's music "melodic and passionate" Marina has been named as one of the "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists" by Music Connection Magazine and is a proud recipient of the ASCAP popular award three years running.
- Marina's music has been licensed in film and TV, including MTV.
- Marina's song "Pesnya o Tebe" appears in Direct Contact, a 2009 Danny Lerner film starring Dolph LundgrenDolph LundgrenDolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor, director, and martial artist. He belongs to a generation of film actors who epitomise the movie action hero stereotype including Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme.A graduate in chemical...
. - In 2006, Marina and Nick Baker toured the Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and SlovakiaSlovakiaThe Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. - She regularly performs at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe, and on January 15, 2008, Marina V appeared at the Kodak Theater for the North American Chinese New Year Festival.
- In spring 2009, Marina's song "Sunshine Guaranteed" appeared on Tap Tap Revenge 2Tap Tap Revenge 2Tap Tap Revenge 2 is an installment in the Tap Tap Series. It is a game developed and published by Tapulous for iOS. It is the sequel to Tap Tap Revenge.-Gameplay:...
, a popular iPhone game - In November 2009, Marina's song "You Make Me Beautiful" was nominated for Hollywood Music Awards
- In March 2010, Marina released her new studio album, My Star. She raised almost $30,000 from her fans to record it with Guy Erez (famous for his work with Gipsy KingsGipsy KingsThe Gipsy Kings are a group of musicians from Arles and Montpellier, who perform in Spanish with an Andalucían accent. Although group members were born in France, their parents were mostly gitanos, Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the 1930s Spanish Civil War. Chico Bouchikhi is of...
, Ryan CabreraRyan CabreraRyan Frank Cabrera is an American pop rock musician. In 2004, Cabrera debuted with his single "On the Way Down", a top ten hit in the U.S., and album Take It All Away...
, KarminaKarminaKarmina is an American pop/rock music duo of sister singer-songwriters Kelly Rudisill and Kamille Rudisill . Karmina means “song” in Latin...
, Keaton SimonsKeaton SimonsKeaton Simons is a Los Angeles recording and performing artist. He is signed to CBS Records and his music has been featured on shows such as NCIS: Los Angeles, Crash, American Dad!, Harper's Island, and The Cleaner to name a few...
, etc.) - Famed guitarist Bruce KulickBruce KulickBruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....
appeared on My Star as guest guitarist. Ryan Hoyle appeared on Marina's record as guest drummer. - Marina is a member of NARAS, SESACSESACSESAC, originally the Society of European Stage Authors & Composers, is the smallest of the three performance rights organizations in the United States. SESAC was founded in 1930, making it the second-oldest performing rights organization in the U.S. SESAC is also the fastest-growing PRO in the...
, and the Grammy Museum. - Several of Marina's songs have appeared on NBC's famed show, Days of Our Lives. Sony Pictures / Days of Our Lives Official Website
Albums
- Something Of My Own (2003)
- Simple Magic (2005)
- Marina V : Live at SoundMoves (2006)
- Modern Fairytale (2008)
- My Star (2011)
- Small Collection of Interesting Songs (2011)
External links
- Marina V revisited Illinois Times (IT online) by Tom Irwin, December 22, 2005
- Marina V brings gift, Tim Cain, Herald & ReviewHerald & ReviewThe Herald & Review is an American newspaper based in Decatur, Illinois.-History:On July 13, 1937, 17 of the paper's editorial employees walked out and went on strike, forcing suspension of the paper, Decatur's only daily newspaper at the time....
, December 22, 2005 - Alumna returns to Hilltop for performance Illinois CollegeIllinois CollegeIllinois College is a private, liberal arts college, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church , and located in Jacksonville, Illinois. It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree . It was founded in 1829 by the Illinois Band,...
News describing artists education and influences - Our Russian-born songbird takes flight Illinois Times (online) by Tom Irwin, December 21, 2006
- Russia On My Mind An Interview with Marina V, 2000, Mish Mash Music Reviews
- Marina V: From Russia, With Love by Andrew Davis 12/4/2006
- ‘Modern Fairytale’ Marina V by Bliss 10/04/2007
- Marina V. Simple Magic Album review by Raine Alexandrea, Innocent Word (magazine), February/March 2006, Issue #18
- From Russia to L.A. to London with Love Business Wire, March 29, 2007
- Interview,"Cut N' Dry Talent Radio" July 13, 2009
- Hollywood Music in Media Awards March 2010 Hollywood music in Media nomination