Anita Maj

Anita Maj struts onto the stage and spellbinds the audience with her first note.

Tonight she is ably assisted with keyboard wizard Adam Day, as she runs through old favourites like 'Don't Forget Me' to new classics such as 'Happy Song'.

With lots of onstage banter with the audience, Anita explains her tales of love and loss with the particularly heart-breaking 'I'll Never Know'.

The set ends with the hypnotic and bluesy 'Woman', with the added twist of bluesy piano licks courtesy of Adam Day.

With the crowd clamouring for more, Anita leaves the stage and we are in no doubt that a star is born.

Music Editor, Dr Desi - Dr Desi

Anita Maj, Kids Love Lies
The Social, 1st June 2010
Felicity Flynn


As a day plagued by constant rain turns into a close, steamy night I find myself in London's notorious venue- de rigueur for all up-and-coming Indie outfits; The Social. I've just watched Kids Love Lies celebratory set to promote their new EP when Anita Maj (and her band) struts onto the stage.

Before she plays her first chord or utters a note, Anita Maj has such a striking visual presence, that you just KNOW that she is going to live up to her reputation of a new rock star in the ascendancy. Anita is a petite woman, and holding her guitar (which emphasises her tiny frame) she easily reminds us of a young Suzi Quatro (in a parallel universe where Quatro had Indian Parents and was born in the North of England) however as soon as she launches into her relaxed and witty between-song banter (delivered in a rather appealing Cockney/Bradford hybrid accent) with band and audience members alike, you know that she is a self-assured, hip young woman, straight from the South-London environs she currently calls her home. Anita Maj is definitely a woman for 2010 and it is easy to see why she is picking up such a following both here in the UK and the US.

It's difficult to describe Anita's sound because you can hear so many diverse influences. Obvious comparisons can be made with contemporaries such as The Gossip and Florence and The Machine, however you can hear distinct nods to classic acts like The Pretenders, Hendrix and Blondie.

Standout tracks like "Out Of Control" and "Nobody's Fool" further validate Anita Maj's standing in the contemporary London soundscape and we can certainly expect to hear a lot more from her and about her in the near future. - God is in the TV Zine

Anita Maj - Out of Control

Heading mainly for the teen rock audience, this debut single by upcoming South London-based “feisty rock soul diva” Anita Maj combines lyrics lamenting the hot boy laden crush, “you’ve taken my soul”, with punk-pop palm-muted riffs and heavily-sustained guitar tones.

The opening bars of ‘Out of Control’ are highly reminiscent of Avril Lavine’s Sk8er Boi, both lyrically and musically, but you soon realise that there are more classic influences on this record, such as Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Lynard Skynard and Journey.

There is also a touch more soul and disco present in Anita’s voice, suggesting that her musical tastes are varied and far-reaching

Overall, if you’re a fan of Blondie, Roxette, The Go-Go’s or The Motels but want something more contemporary and without the emo/skater-punk clichés, you would do well to check this out.

‘Out of Control’, is out in August

by Terry Summerbell - Trebuchet Magazine

Anita Maj is singer songwriter with a feisty, rock soul diva edge. She’s worked with Dan Swift of Snow Patrol, Junk Scientist of The Rakes, as well as supporting The Levellers. Anita releases her debut album in September.
When did you start writing songs?
I wrote my first song aged five when I heard Imagine by John Lennon on the radio. The song was so beautiful it moved me to write some lyrics. I still get inspired by hearing songs – my mind wanders off on a tangent as to what I would say had the song been written for me or if I was one of the people involved in the situation – I get very involved.
Has your upbringing in Yorkshire influenced your music?
Yes definitely, we used to go for long drives and it was pretty much my therapy to listen to music as we travelled and go through a whole host of emotions and dreams. The scenery was both beautiful and full of character – you could easily imagine Heathcliff running around on the moors. Yorkshire has lots of places to escape to if you want to get away from everything and just write.
How long have you been performing your songs?
I have been performing with my rock band for about 18 months now all over London, but we have done shows in Yorkshire and just recently in LA. Before that I busked and played acoustically in pubs across London. Even now when the rest of the band can’t do shows I love performing so much that I do solo acoustic sets. Live music is the one area where you can connect to people in the moment and it can be a truly magical experience.
Who are your influences?
In terms of songwriting you have building blocks of The Beatles, The Stones and of course Bob Dylan. Then you have so many great songwriting teams including Motown, Abba, Leonard Cohen, Bacharach and David. Classic songs stand the test of time and can be played on any instrument. Lyrically, I am also influenced by great poets such as Tagore and Maya Angelou, Byron, Baudelaire to name but a few. Singers include Janis Joplin – you can feel every note she sings. Guitarists include Hendrix, he made the guitar a sexy and emotive instrument.
How would you describe your sound?
That’s always a tough question – I love the melody and story-telling of folk and acoustic music and the raw energy, power and dynamism of rock – truly telling it like it is – I guess my sound is a fusion of the two.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from many things – listening to songs and thinking up responses, the odd word or phrase can also lead to a song. My own life and people who are involved in it have always been inspiring too.
Do you have a particular method of writing songs?
I used to always start with the lyrics when I wrote songs, I have books of lyrics stashed away. Recently I have been expanding the way I write to include building songs around riffs and musical melodies that appeal to me – the lyrics always have to make sense and match the melody though. I usually write songs on my acoustic or electric guitar and vocals and build the rest of the song around that. The other day I wrote a song around a beat and I came up with a song that was very different but explored another side of my songwriting – that was great and I’d love to do more of it.
What song would you have liked to have written and why?
That’s another toughie – what came to mind was Come Together by the Beatles, it is a wonderful song both lyrically with its references to so many things and musically with its dark and moody groove – sometimes I play it in my acoustic sets.
You’ve recently worked in the studio with Snow Patrol producer Dan Swift, what was that experience like?
Dan was a pleasure to work with, I learned a lot about sound production and arrangement and how to bring out the finer details of the song. Dan was a good listener and he also has a vision for the songs, so I think our combination worked really well.

What is your current most played song on your iPod?
At the moment its Love Bites by Def Leppard as I just heard it the other day and thought ‘what a great song’. I have also been listening a lot to Biffy Clyro lately as well and I love Many of Horror – the opening riff is sublime.
What’s next for Anita Maj?
I have just come back from LA where I did a couple of shows at The AC Supper Club and Viper Room. The summer kicks off with a couple of festivals – Lewisham People’s Day on July 10 and Guilfest on July 16, with further festivals to be confirmed. I have also just finished recording the album and our first single Out Of Control will be realeased in physical format during August with the second single and album due for in the autumn. - M Magasine

A cute, laid-back, Asian girl comes over, introduces herself, then walks onto the stage. She picks up her guitar and her mood alters slightly. Suddenly, a fervent drum roll…1-2-3-4:.
‘Thanks for coming out on a school night!’
Her mood returns to serious as she steams into her first song ‘My Cigar’, a fevered punk rock rallying cry.
A Brum-born, south London-based little diva, Anita Maj segues from song into song, tripping over tunes with a ska, punk rock, bluesy roots vibe - always autobiographical.

‘Mine to Keep’ outlines the agony of uncertainty and on ‘Are You Playing Me?’ she reaches out and pulls stories from the sky; life, uncertainties, certainties, frustrations and relationships. Insightful, the lyrics are about real-life situations relayed with an unnerving honesty.

She recalls Blondie, a bit PJ Harvey, a good dose of candour and a half measure of sussed-out Alanis Morrisette. Take note of the warning signs and leave while you can; Obsession, it’s okay, but not when your stuck in someone’s back pocket. Just for fun? Check it out. ‘You’ve taken my soul’, never give it over! Yes and ‘Modern Love,’ who does need it. Anita’s diary is about listening to life, not angry, maybe obsessive, but osbservational musings.

On ‘Granted’, the most anthemic tune of the set, she hurtles herself across the stage; observing the warning signs, an un-attentive lover, crossing boundaries, stepping down before it’s too late. While ‘Trouble’ is a funky foray, a Hendrixesque style western, the rock’n’roll version of Britney Spears, Uh Oh…I’ve done it again, I’ve ‘broken your heart in two’.
Her single, ‘Out of Control’ is essential listening for every boy and girl. It’s as catchy as swine flu, as transparent as Perspex and as unswerving as Lionel Messi.

The drummer (it’s his last gig) runs off stage and back again and then enter the final drum roll. Ah….out of control.

Brilliant new talent Anita Maj has just released her debut single, Out of Control. Her performance a couple of weeks ago at the Water Rats, showed quite an original style emerging. Could it be that her mother was a famous slide guitar player, or was she just inventing her own sound.
This is a girl of many layers, who really sees things and hidden beneath these lyrics, she feels them to, it’s with a real honesty and passion that she shares her world. In particular the song ‘Out of Control’ reminds me of all those times and yeah, splitting up with someone she explains it so well, ’you've taken my soul’, that is what it feels like, I just want it back! erm, well then it’s a matter of how to get it back or just don't hand it over in the first place. Anita Maj; bit Blondie, a bit PJ Harvey, this is rock it its most expressive and raw, somehow still elegant at the same time. Catch her at Panda Power, The Heavenly Social, Tuesday, 1st June, 20:00 best undercover 3, modern love interesting comment, nothing was real, nothing left to feel are you mine to keep are you playing me.. proud not like baby its true.. story getting old, reggae rift.. she means it every single lyric. really like... really this songs stands out.. are you are you mine to keep.. trouble.. look for trouble.. hype password lovedup
baby its true, maybe its you..
‘Out of Control’ is out on Lil Minx Records in August.
Lex Hunter - Subba Cultcha

An unashamed Hendrix and Joplin inspired rock chick mixing, rock, pop, blues and soul. New Single ‘Out of Control’ and trips to LA, where interest in Anita’s potential is growing. At home Music Week are tipping a ballsier female talent. - Music Tourist Board

‘Out Of Control’ Anita Maj (Lil Minx Recordings)

The battle for the catchiest song of the year so far is between Rihanna’s’ Rude Boy’ and this. Clothed as thrashed-up emo-pop, this tune is as muscular as a weightlifter underneath. From the first strike of the guitar chord intro, the drive to the soaring chorus gathers pace as it hurtles tunefully towards its denouement. A northern lass born to Indian parents and currently located somewhere in south London, Maj has been building a steady following both inside and outside of shady, black-clad, baggy-eyed industry circles. The easily-missed lyrics can make you cry and are shoe-horned, Manic Street Preachers-like into the melody: “Can’t hide my feelings/When you’re talking to her/I die inside…”. Forget the vampire imagery, but beware - like the friendly girl/boy next-door you will slowly and imperceptibly fall in love with this priceless gem of a record. For more info goto www.anitamaj.com

Reviewed by Gareth Thomas | - www.snazmusic.com