Maryam

Name, where are you from? 
My name is Maryam. I was born and grew up in a village near Frankfurt. I am Iranian and German and I live mostly in Hamburg, sometimes Berlin.

What do you do? 
I am a med student and a musician. I sing and write music, play the violin and some piano.

Describe your style in three words? 
Classy, grungy, feminine.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Girl in red. It was a club tour in 2019 and she wasn't a star yet. but OMG she was a star then.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Sevdaliza and Stormzy. I think Stormzy and I would make a great band. haha. And Sevdaliza is just so outstandingly great in what she does. HOW she does it. I love the energy she transfers. and I guess she feels so relatable to me.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Persian subculture of Iranian's living outside their home country. Because it's what raised me. Goth. I just like the mixture of classic and goth elements. Everything meshes in a good balance with a nice polo collar and golden jewellery is me. Opera/academic chic is the next part. I've spent years singing in opera choirs and playing the violin in such surroundings. Thus it was impossible for me, to not have a proper chic wardrobe and adapt to my stiff and partly crazy surroundings. Guess that describes my mixture quite well.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Ms. Lauryn Hill. It's incredible how she just made one record and influenced all of us like that.

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Fun fact: I have not played many independent venues yet. Once, we played a spontaneous gig on my balcony and it was CROWDED below. That was just next to the best hangout spot in town, the so-called “corner”. Besides that, I really love Dockville festival and all the small event series, that Hamburg has in store. Oh, and Docks. I love Docks as a rather big concert venue.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Little Simz.