Marina Verenikina

Marina Verenikina (also known as Marina V to her fans) is a Russian singer/musician. She was born in the Russian SFSR to a nuclear physicist father and a child psychologist mother.

Early Life

Marina displayed musical talent at an early age, making up melodies before she could talk. Noticing her talent, her mother arranged for formal music education. At age 10, she performed one of her original compositions for her piano teacher, who dismissed it as "nonsense". Discouraged, Marina abandoned music and turned her attention to other activities. At the time, the Soviet Union 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. A few years after giving up her musical education, she acquired a forbidden cassette tape of The Beatles, which rekindled her interest in music. She taught herself to play Beatles songs on the piano, and studied their music to learn more about harmony, which also helped to improve her understanding of the English language.

At 15, Marina won a national competition for a scholarship to study in the United States. After living in Springfield, Illinois for a year, she returned to Russia, determined to return to the US, where she felt a greater freedom for individual creativity. Her resolve was further strengthened upon arrival in Russia, when she 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 in 2001 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, Illinois, 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".

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 Lundgren.
• In 2006, Marina and Nick Baker toured the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
• 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 2, 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 Kings, Ryan Cabrera, Karmina, Keaton Simons, etc.)
• Famed guitarist Bruce Kulick appeared on My Star as guest guitarist. Ryan Hoyle appeared on Marina's record as guest drummer.
• Marina is a member of NARAS, SESAC, and the Grammy Museum.

Discography

Albums

• Let Me Dream (1999)
• LIFT (2001)
• Something Of My Own (2003)
• Simple Magic (2005)
• Marina V : Live at SoundMoves (2006)
• Modern Fairytale (2008)
• My Star (2010)

External links

• Official website
• Template:Myspace
• Marina V revisited Illinois Times (IT online) by Tom Irwin, December 22, 2005
• Marina V brings gift, Tim Cain, Herald & Review, December 22, 2005
• Alumna returns to Hilltop for performance Illinois College 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
• [1] Interview,"Cut N' Dry Talent Radio" July 13th,2009
• human2stay.com: interview with Marina V