Dark Folk / Chamber Prog duo Maer – featuring Marjana Semkina (Iamthemorning) and Anna Murphy (Cellar Darling, ex-Eluveitie) – launches with the announcement of debut single “Sister”, to be released on October 17th, 2022.
Watch the teaser below.
Debut single “Sister” serves as the perfect introduction to this exciting new project, showcasing the duo’s songwriting talent, unique composition style and beautiful melodies drenched in dark atmosphere. Featuring Ne Obliviscaris guitarist Benjamin Baret and Agent Fresco drummer Keli Guðjónsson, “Sister” will be released on all digital platforms as well as a limited run of 300 signed and hand-numbered 7″ vinyl.
Pre-order the vinyl and merch bundles here.
Marjana and Anna met and instantly connected when taking part in Prog Magazine’s female-focused discussion panel She Rocks in 2019, and in 2021 began work on what would become Maer. Having both forged highly successful and award-winning careers (Marjana – Prog Magazine Best Album; Anna – Prog Magazine Best Video & Swiss Music Awards Best Live Act), the pair were hungry to experiment in new musical territory, resulting in this fascinating new project.
Marjana comments on Maer: “Maer came together very organically, it’s a product of friendship and respect for each other’s work. Anna is a wonderful musician and a producer and she breathes life into everything I write, turning it into something special. We have written a substantial amount of material together already and depending on the reception ‘Sister’ gets we’re hoping to keep creating little dark fairytales for our listeners, eventually resulting in an album”.
Anna continues: “We both didn’t really know what to expect when we started working together. Marjana took a leap and flew to Switzerland. We hiked, we sang, we drank wine and ended up even being able to write lyrics together which is something I’ve never done with someone. After almost 15 years of mainly being in rock and metal projects, it feels good to release something acoustic and mellow – not meaning that it’s less dark”.
“Sister” was written and co-produced by Marjana Semkina, and co-written, produced, mixed and mastered by Anna Murphy.
Maer are working on their debut album, more news soon.
Line-up:
Marjana Semkina – Vocals, guitar
Anna Murphy – Vocals, flute, hurdy-gurdy, synths, nyckelharpa
