Marisa Maino
Photo Credit: Alexa King
In her debut, STAGES OF LOVE & HEARTBREAK, Marisa Maino shows us just how much she can do. From pure pop (“HOT”), to pop rock (“LOVE SUX”), to bedroom pop (“boy toy”), one thing’s certain: Maino’s got range. Plenty of it. Her versatility as an artist expands beyond the realm of pop. Marisa’s released a handful of acoustic versions of the songs on STAGES OF LOVE & HEARTBREAK, and is also an aspiring actress. With only her debut album out, released just this year, what’s so impressive about Maino is how strikingly clear her personality is from a limited sample of her addicting music. She’s been told on numerous occasions that she’s got “attitude,” and we couldn’t agree more, positively speaking. Her “attitude” adds heaps of flavor and empowerment into her sound, a cherry on top of her seven-layer cake. We recently spoke with the up and coming Marisa Maino about some of her musical inspirations, the production of a few of her songs, and more!
How did you get started making music?
I guess through the grapevine? I was living in LA and auditioning for acting roles. I told everyone I met I wanted to be a songwriter and they would literally just refer me to people because they “liked my personality.” I have an "attitude," or so I’ve been told.
Congrats on the success of the STAGES OF LOVE & HEARTBREAK, a wonderful album. What has the feedback been like over the past few months?
Thank you! The feedback has been great. I think it was just a reintroduction into my artist project since I had sort of gone ghost for a year. My little stan children love it. That’s really all you could ask for is an artist, that the people that like you continue to like you.
You recently released an acoustic to "boy toy", which I feel shows off a whole other dimension to your singing ability. What made you decide to record the track?
I think because the way it was originally written was just me and my piano. I sent the chorus to the producer Jordan Sapp and the cowriter Gregg. We pretty much cut it on the spot. It felt right to strip it back. Also, it’s my most popular song.
Was "boy toy" a song that you felt could always work well as a stripped-down version?
Yes, it was originally written that way. So it was super easy to strip back. Adding the live strings, however, was a new fresh element I really loved. I’ve never had live strings in a song and I’ve always wanted to, so that was a bucket list moment.
"Hot" gives off 2000's pop vibes to the max. Which artists do you attribute most to inspiring this sound?
Definitely Avril Lavigne. The song was pitched to me as a country song with a basic guitar loop. I had brought it to my producer Jordan Saap and said “Let's make this sound like “Complicated.” So, that's what we did! We mimicked the in and out nature of the harmonies on the chorus like she does. Little things like that in order to really give it that 2000s flare.
Did you have a dream collab in mind?
Jeez, there are so many! I would love to collaborate with Ms. Melanie Martinez or Julia Michaels. Honestly, I collaborate with artists I’m fans of every day as a writer, so I can’t complain.
Has growing up in Nashville influenced your approach to music? If yes, how so?
Absolutely! I think living here has really made me love lyrics and taught me the importance of telling a story. I don’t think any other music city in the world tells stories the way we do.
You joke in your Spotify bio when you ask people to listen "so my mom thinks i'm cool". How important is having a good support team when pursuing a career in music?
Very important. I don’t think your parents necessarily need to support your musical endeavors. I think it helps, but they can not support you and you’ll be just fine. With that being said you definitely need a support team. It takes a village to do this stuff. There's so much that goes behind the scenes that people have no idea about. You are only as strong as your support system, and I stand by that.
Who have been some of the people that you owe your biggest thanks to?
I think that would be my best friend and my publisher. My publisher was truly the first person to believe in me and follow through. She sat me down in a juice shop three years ago and said “One day I’m going to be a publisher, and you’re going to be my first sign.” Here we are three years later and a lot of hard work making our dreams come true! My best friend really keeps my head on straight. This job is very stressful, and she listens to me sing and blabber about random music things all day long.
What is next for Marisa Maino?
Right now I’m finishing up the production on my next album. It’s seven songs, and there might even be a deluxe version with an extra song. You didn’t hear it from me though. I’m also finishing up an album with my band Tramp Stamps which I’m so stoked on. A lot of music coming your way this next coming year that's for sure.
