10 Questions with Maria Finkelmeier
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the suburbs north of Cincinnati,Ohio (Go Buckeyes!)
How would you describe the music that you typically create/perform?
This is the golden question! I don’t align specifically with any one genre - but am always exploring sounds, from traditional to found instruments. I think it’s in my blood as a percussionist - always trying to make an object resonate! I’m trained as a Contemporary Classical performer, but the music I write and perform is influenced by jazz, pop, and electronic music.
Impossible Burger, beyond burger, regular burger, or turkey burger?
I just had my second daughter a few weeks ago, and am focused on caring for her. So, I am currently running on whatever food is placed in front of me or is the easiest to make or order. I’ll take one of each, please!!
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I love being a fans of my friends and colleagues, and feel so lucky to know creators that are pushing limits and taking risks. I’ve had Caroline Shaw + So Percussion new album on repeat. I also love the folk sounds of Sarah Jaroz and retro vibes of Lake Street Dive. As a former Zumba instructor and dance lover, bring on some Pitbull at any time as well :)
Growing up, I was very active in our marching band and concert band throughout middle and high school, and know those early days provided me with a solid foundation of discipline and emotional connection to performing and creating. My undergraduate professor, Dr. Susan K. Powell, then pushed me to find my own voice and path - am I am grateful to have had a strong female mentor in that stage of my life.
What ‘s your favorite part of your new album Descended?
My favorite part of this album is that it reflects my many musical interests. I obviously love the warm tone and sonic possibilities of the marimba. It’s my favorite instrument to write for and to record, and our engineer, John Esobar, really made it sing! I also love that it allows Jean to soar on trumpet and vocals. Jean was as excited as I was to try new things, and helped broaden my understanding of the possibilities of her instruments. In Mujina’s Arrival - those screams and badass licks are a result of our collaborative efforts (and her amazing skills!) I believe there is a style, sound, or energy that will resonate with all listeners on the album.
What was the inspiration behind you and Jean Laurenz putting this album together?
Jean is the great-great grand niece of ghost folk-writer, Lafcadio Hearn. Jean wanted to create a multimedia project about his work, and I was thrilled that she called me to collaborate. She began by sending me Lafcadio’s writings, and books about his life. I dove in, and loved the depth of the content. There was so much to work with - from exploring his nomadic life, to his blindness, and of course, his Japanese ghost stories and depictions of Buddhism.
Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of?
This past winter I created a piece called Hatched: Breaking Through the Silence, a sound and illumination experience at Boston’s iconic Hatch Shell (think Boston Pops’ Fourth of July event!) I wrote and directed the music and visual score for the work that was projected into the amphitheatre for four weeks. Over 30,000 folks came out to enjoy the project, in the dead of winter (in New England, no less!) The opportunity to create a moment of joy and community during the dark winter, amid the pandemic, was a true honor. A stranger emailed me to tell me her daughter calls it the “rainbow show” and they still watch the video on demand. I’m grateful to have been able to create a positive memory for our city!
What’s the next thing for you ?
Jean and I will be workshopping the performance of Descended next Spring, and ready to tour the project in the fall. The film is being screened at a few film festivals (scoring a film with the music was such a thrill!) and we hope to bring the project to as many audiences as possible.
I also have a video mural that will premiere on November 4 at the Harvard Ed Portal in Boston called Frequencies, in collaboration with glitche artist Allison Tanenhaus. The mural is powered by media submissions from our community, and remixed into joyful sound and visual videos. Next year, a few highlights include performing in Tod Machover’s opera VALIS, and writing a piece for large mixed ensemble and media for the New Gallery Concert Series.
Outside of all things music, what is something you love doing?
My husband is a food photographer, and always has the finger on the pulse of the restaurant industry in Boston. As more folks get vaccinated and we feel safe to be in public places, enjoying a meal by an adventurous chef is one of our favorite things to do. Drawing rocket ships with my 2.5 year old is also pretty delightful.
If you could have dinner with any 3 musicians living or dead who would the be ( why? )
Beyoncé: I teach the Entrepreneurial Mindsets course at Berklee College of Music, and my students often laugh as Beyoncé is my favorite example of the entrepreneurial spirit.
Viola Smith: I wish I would have been able to meet Viola when she was alive, to ask her what it felt like to break those ceilings in the drumming world!
Billie Eilish: Jean and I bonded over our fascination with Bilie’s career and sound early on when working on Descended. We’d love to share our work and hang out!