Māra Lisenko (born 13 June 1986 in Jūrmala, Latvia) is a Latvian singer-songwriter. She is known as the founder of the band Karmafree[1] and since 2018 is the leader of the death metal band MĀRA.[2] Māra mainly practices growling, but thanks to her diverse vocal techniques, is also able to sing clear or even lyrical.
Māra Lisenko | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Māra Lisenko |
| Born | 13 June 1986 Jūrmala, Latvian SSR, Soviet Union (Now Latvia) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, vocal coach |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Website | https://mara-metal.com/ |
Biography
editMāra was born on 13 June 1986 in the town of Jūrmala in Latvia. Growing up in a musicians family, she was exposed to music from an early age. Her mother, who is also a singer, sets Māra as a target to match her level. She began to devote herself to growl at the age of 13 and joined her first band only a year later.
In 2007, Māra studied at the prestigious Vocaltech school – Thames Valley University. She is lucky enough to be trained by some of the greatest Vocal coaches in the metal, such as Melissa Cross, Mark Baxter or even Enrico H. Di Lorenzo. In addition, she receives help from singers recognized in the world of metal such as Derrick Green (Sepultura) or even Rafał Piotrowski (Decapitated).
Since 2011, Māra has been a vocal coach herself. She gives lessons on Skype for all levels, from beginners to advanced singers.
In 2010, in London, England, Māra founded with her husband the band Karmafree. It is a duet between Dmitry Lisenko[3] who plays the bass and Māra on vocals. The band's style is alternative and they involve their social and political fights. In 2012, they released their first EP.
She joined a Latvian melodic death band called Ocularis Infernum in 2015. The band released an album in 2017 and has not been active on social medias since the end of 2018.
In 2018, Māra begins her current band, also called MĀRA.[4] It is a death, thrash and groove metal band composed of 4 musicians.[5] The band quickly released their first EP, Therapy for an Empath,[6] on 22 November 2018. It has been received very well by the critics, and they even won the prize for the best metal album of the year 2018 at the Latvian Metal Music Awards.[7] Māra is also awarded as the best singer the same year. The band performs some shows in different European countries such as France, Germany and even England. The band finally reveals its second EP, Self Destruct. Survive. Thrive! two years later, featuring Soilwork singer Bjorn Strid and Jeff Hughell from Six Feet Under. The release date is scheduled for 13 May 2020.
Māra lately launched, on 2 April 2020, her own Patreon to share exclusive content. She also has a YouTube channel where she makes covers.[8]
Personal life
editMāra has been married to Dmitry Lisenko for more than 6 years. She currently lives in Spain after leaving Germany.
Max Cavalera, Sevendust and Korn made her want to have dreadlocks.
Māra is vegan but does not want to highlight it on social media.
MĀRA's line-up
edit- Māra Lisenko – Vocals
- Denis Melnik – Guitar
- Dmitry Lisenko – Bass
- Alberts Mednis – Drums
Discography
editWith Karmafree
edit- Illusions (EP) – 2012
With Ocularis Infernum
edit- Expired Utopia – 2017
With MĀRA
edit- Therapy for an Empath (EP) – 2018
- Self Destruct. Survive. Thrive! (EP) – 2020
- Devil Herself (Single) - 2024
- Home bitter Home (Single) - 2024
References
edit- ^ "Latvian Duo Karmafree". Music export Latvia. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ "MARA from Latvia". Femmezin Empire. November 1, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
- ^ "Dmitry Lisenko". www.dmitrylisenko.com. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ "MĀRA – Death Metal Band". MĀRA – Death Metal Band. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ "Alternatīvā vokāla skolotāja Māra". nra.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ "Interview with Mara Lisenko". darkzenmetalangels. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ Scuderi, Gustavo (September 1, 2019). "Metal Chick of the Month – Māra Lisenko". THE HEADBANGING MOOSE. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ "Mara Lisenko – Metal Goddesses". Metal Goddesses. Retrieved May 20, 2020.