Stars & Satellites
Christina Maria is a ge… Read Full Bio ↴CHRISTINA MARIA
Stars & Satellites
Christina Maria is a genuine free spirit, and her personal adventurousness infuses the highly original and genre-defying music she creates. The muse of this young Vancouver singer/songwriter gets fired up by travel, as is strikingly demonstrated on her debut solo album, Stars & Satellites.
There's the 40 hour train ride in China that sparked "I Don't Speak Chinese," the trip to Mexico that inspired "Don't Cry," the Mediterranean references in "It Ain't Easy," and the tales of on the road romances in "Belize," a tune as airy and warm as a tropical breeze. The cinematic road movie feel of these irresistibly melodic and lyrically evocative songs are matched by subtle musical touches and Christina Maria's fluid and sweetly seductive vocals.
There are no borders here in terms of the stylistic settings of her songs. She confesses that a simple definition of her style is beyond her, noting that "it's folk, but not really folk, jazz but not really jazz, and pop is in there too." Even at her young age, she has a wealth of musical study and performance behind her, all put to good use on Stars & Satellites.
By age 16, she was performing her original songs in her first band, and frequently singing as a duo with her younger sister, Lisa Rieder. Her talent was quickly recognized by The City of Surrey (her hometown), when they awarded her a Creative Contributions Grant in 2004. Full-time study in the Jazz Voice Program at Vancouver Community College followed, with her teachers including famed vocalist Kate Hammett-Vaughan. Christina's subsequent ability to cover the jazz standards in a compelling fashion was demonstrated by the enthusiastic response to recent shows in two Hong Kong jazz clubs.
Armed with her now-proficient technique, Christina Maria and noted jazz guitarist Myles Kump performed across Western Canada, and their musically diverse work together was collected on the well-received 2006 album, Reason.
After striking out on her own, Christina began writing and recording the songs that now come to vivid life on Stars & Satellites. Extensive busking and frequent open-mic night appearances helped hone her vocal chops, and she then began work on the album with multi-instrumentalist/producer Ian Cameron. "He has been a great mentor, and he helped me mold the songs. He is so patient, and his experience helped open up the possibilities of where the songs could go."
Sessions in the relaxed confines of Cameron's studio followed, with some of Vancouver's best musicians dropping by to add cool cameos. The guest list includes trumpeter J.P. Carter (Inhabitants), drummer Sam Cartwright, percussionist Robin Layne, violinist Jaron Freeman-Fox, guitarist Neil Cruickshank (Brickhouse), and backing singer Jasmin Parkin.
The focus throughout remains on Christina Maria's voice and fluent guitar, but the deft instrumental touches of her accompanists shine through on repeated listenings. The cool trumpet work of Carter on "Belize" prompts some inspired scatting from Christina, the lilting electric guitar on "I Knew All Along" adds to its tender and bittersweet feel, and the gently plucked Pippa adds an exotic air to the jaunty "With Care."
Complementing the understated intelligence of the vocal and instrumental work here is the lyrical ability of Christina Maria. "I just really like great and clever lyrics," she says, singling out Joni Mitchell as an inspiration. "My mother always told me to write stories. It's nice when a song is about something, not just an emotion."
Christina Maria's creative imagination has been further boosted by her recent relocation to Toronto. Performances in prominent clubs in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto and support appearances at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto and Oshawa's Regent Theatre have all been warmly received.
She pledges to retain the freewheeling musical adventurousness she has shown by studying gamelan in Bali and Hindustani vocals in southern India. "I think that is the only way to go," she stresses. "Music is so much like life. It is always changing, and if it's not, then what is it? I have to keep learning and getting better."
Motivation to do just that has been regularly supplied by guitar great Pat Metheny. Since she met him at a Vancouver concert three years ago, Christina has been in regular touch with Metheny, who constructively critiques her work. ""He stresses that music is an unlimited entity if I keep working at it," she reports. "It's inspiring to hear him talk about the importance of the art, in a world where the business side of things is so dominant."
With the release of Stars & Satellites, word of the presence of a shining new star in the Canadian constellation is destined to spread fast. On the hauntingly beautiful title track that closes out this album, Christina Maria sings "I'm staring at the infinite." With this strikingly accomplished record, we can all see the infinite potential of this young artist.
don't cry
Christina Maria Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After all is said and done
Only emptiness inside us
Baby look what we've become
We can make a million promises
But we still won't change
It isn't right to stay together
When we only bring each other pain
I don't want to cry
Don't want to cry
Nothing in the world
Could take us back
To where we used to be
Though I've given you my heart and soul (Given you my heart and soul)
I must find a way of letting go
'Cause baby, I don't want to cry
Too far apart to bridge the distance
But something keeps us hanging on and on
Pretending not to know the difference
Denying what we had is gone
Every moment we're together
Is just breaking me down
I know we swore it was forever
But it hurts too much to stay around
I don't want to cry
Don't want to cry
Nothing in the world
Could take us back
To where we used to be
Though I've given you my heart and soul (Given you my heart and soul)
I must find a way of letting go
'Cause baby, I don't want to cry
All the magic's gone
There's just a shadow of a memory
Something just went wrong
We can't go on make-believing
On make-believing
'Cause I don't want to cry
Don't want to cry
Nothing in the world
Could take us back
To where we used to be
Though I've given you my heart and soul (Given you my heart and soul)
I've given you my heart and soul (Given you my heart and soul)
I must find a way of letting go
'Cause baby, I don't want to cry
I don't want to cry
I don't want to cry
The song "Don't Cry" by Christina Maria is about a relationship that has reached its end. The two people involved cannot seem to communicate with each other and there is a void of emptiness between them. They can make promises to each other, but this will not change the fact that they only bring pain to each other. The singer does not want to cry and does not want to go back to where they used to be, even though she has given her heart and soul to the relationship. They are too far apart to bridge the distance, but they both keep hanging on and pretending that nothing has changed. The singer knows that they swore it was forever, but it hurts too much to stay around. All the magic has gone, and they cannot continue to make-believe anymore.
The lyrics are relatable and poignant because so many people have experienced a relationship that has lost its spark, but they cling to it because they do not want to be alone. The song is about moving on and letting go of someone, even though it is painful to do so. It is a reminder that staying in a relationship that only causes pain is not going to make things better. The singer is strong and knows that she needs to find a way to let go, even though it is difficult. This song captures the raw emotions of a breakup and the courage it takes to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Once again we sit in silence
We are sitting next to each other without speaking, as we have many times before.
After all is said and done
Even though we have discussed everything there is to say, the situation remains the same.
Only emptiness inside us
We feel hollow and unfulfilled.
Baby look what we've become
Our relationship has devolved into something that we never wanted it to be.
We can make a million promises
We can make endless commitments to change, but it won't do any good.
But we still won't change
No matter how many promises we make, it won't alter the fact that we are unhappy together.
It isn't right to stay together
Holding onto a relationship that only causes pain is not healthy or sustainable.
When we only bring each other pain
Staying in the relationship is damaging to both of us, since we are only causing each other pain.
Too far apart to bridge the distance
We are too distant from each other to repair the damage that has been done.
But something keeps us hanging on and on
Despite the distance between us, we are still holding onto the relationship.
Pretending not to know the difference
We are pretending to not notice the fact that our relationship has changed and is no longer healthy.
Denying what we had is gone
We are refusing to acknowledge that the good parts of our relationship are now over.
Every moment we're together
Whenever we spend time in each other's company,
Is just breaking me down
It is painful and hurtful to me.
I know we swore it was forever
We made promises to each other that we would be together forever.
But it hurts too much to stay around
But staying in this relationship is causing too much pain to endure.
All the magic's gone
The enchantment we once had in our relationship is now lost.
There's just a shadow of a memory
All that remains of our good times is a faint trace of a memory.
Something just went wrong
Something happened to spoil what we had together.
We can't go on make-believing
We can't pretend that things are going to improve when they clearly aren't.
I've given you my heart and soul
I have put all of my emotions and energy into this relationship.
I must find a way of letting go
I need to find a way to move on and leave this relationship behind.
'Cause baby, I don't want to cry
I don't want to cry over something that isn't working and causing me pain.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Narada Michael Walden, Mariah Carey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LeendaDProductions
I've been hearing this song on the radio and I couldn't find it anywhere on youtube till now! I LOVE this song! Its amazing, go Kristina =) -Leendadproductions
unavailableanonymous
In love with this song! Kristina's voice is amazing
onecutesweetypie
Phenomenal. Wow. Shivers and goosebumps the whole time. Kristina Maria is a force to be reckoned with. Amazing.
Mariana Rafael-White
This song needs to become more well-known, it's so good omg <3
reevie
I'm going through a break up right now and this song is what's keeping me from going back. I feel torn but this is motivation. Thank you Kristina for making this song. :'( <3
Jd Lavallee
Love this song, one of Canada's true talents right here.
akhan47259
The beat. The chorus. Perfect!
Bill Huan
Heard this on the radio and instantly feel in love with it. I swear if this song gets just a few million views it's going to be a huge sensation
I am me
Why isn't she that well known when all her songs are amazing and that she has a great voice?!
KingfishSalmon
I like how in all her videos' intro there's always another song of her playing in the background.