MARIKA

Here's the story below on Unstoppable being on the Top 10 most buzzed songs of Songquest! - CBC music

Thats female empowerment, faith and freedom... - Poshy Magazine - March 2013 issue

Recording artist welcomes torch

A pop singer from Langley was part of the Medicine Hat festivities.

Langley AdvanceFebruary 5, 2010



It's an experience Marika Siewert will never forget.

Even though this Canadian recording artist, songwriter, actress and speaker has worked with some of the world's biggest and best, the 29-year-old Langley mother of three considers herself exceptionally fortunate to have been invited to share the stage with country music star Terri Clark, and to have sung her own song Be the Best You Can Be when the torch arrived in Medicine Hat last month.

Marika's song, written about two years ago in memory of B.C. Lions football legend Bob Ackles, embodies the essence of most athletes' stories, and seemed a perfect fit for the relay.

Marika and Clark both grew up in Medicine Hat, and were invited back for the huge celebration. And in her first-ever performance in her hometown, this national celebrity sang this and two other original pieces for an audience of about 7,000.

She was so moved by this experience that Marika is now encouraging fellow Langleyites to come out Monday to be part of the historic celebration here in town, hoping this Olympic Torch visit will be as incredible and moving as the Alberta show.
- Face Off/Langley Advance

for immediate release

Eva Avila, Gregory Charles, Mobile, and Joel Plaskett Top
2007 Canadian Radio Music Awards Nominations

Ottawa, January 15, 2007 – Canada’s hottest new music stars will be honoured at the 10th Annual Canadian Radio Music Awards (CRMA) on Saturday, March 10, 2007. Addictiv, Eva Avila, Gregory Charles, Mobile, The New Pornographers, and Joel Plaskett are among the artists nominated in nine categories honouring the hottest new radio music stars in Canada. In previous years, the CRMAs introduced rookies such as Avril Lavigne, Sam Roberts, Arcade Fire and Michael Bublé.

Presented by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), the 10th Annual Canadian Radio Music Awards will be handed out at a gala luncheon on Saturday, March 10, 2007, 12:30 p.m. at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, as part of Rogers WIreless Canadian Music Week celebrations.

“We are delighted to see the outstanding new talent that has emerged over the past year,� said Glenn O’Farrell, President and CEO of the CAB. “ Canada’s private radio broadcasters congratulate the nominees on their success, and look forward to providing musical acts with continued support.

“The CRMA nominees for 2007 illustrate the wealth of promising Canadian musical talent, and the commitment of private radio broadcasters to support and promote Canada’s next wave of up-and-coming music stars,� said Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting Corporation and one of the founders of the awards. “This event provides us with a great opportunity to celebrate the essential and enduring connection between Canada’s music artists and Canadian private radio.�

Again this year, the CRMA Fans’ Choice Award will be presented. Radio listeners from across the country can vote online for their favourite radio artist at the Rogers WIreless Canadian Music Week Web site (www.cmw.net). This year's Fans' Choice nominees are Daniel Powter, Mobile, Nelly Furtado, Nickelback and Theory of a Deadman

This year’s Canadian Radio Music Awards gala luncheon is hosted by R&B artist Jully Black, and includes live performances by Neverending White Lights, George, Rex Goudie, Suits XL, Gregory Charles, and Eva Avila, as well as the induction of Canadian rock legends Triumph into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. Ticket and registration information is available at http://www.cmw.net/.

CRMA nominees include artists who have hit the Canadian charts for the first time and who have achieved top airplay in different formats based on radio “spins� as recorded by Nielson Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) in 2006. Votes cast by music directors, program directors and on-air personalities determine the winners. Two additional non-voting awards will also be presented at this year’s ceremony: The FACTOR Breakthrough Award for top airplay for a new FACTOR supported artist; and The Chart Topper Award for top overall airplay.

About Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week
Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week is Canada,s leading annual entertainment event dedicated to the expression and growth of the country,s music, media and entertainment industries. Combining two information-intensive conferences; a cutting edge trade exposition; five awards shows and the nation's largest New Music Festival, Rogers Wireless CMW spans a four-day period from March 7 to March 10, 2007 at the Fairmont Royal York and various downtown Toronto venues, attracting participants from across the globe.

About the Canadian Association of Broadcasters
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services.

Related Web Links:
Canadian Music Week: http://www.cmw.net
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters: http://www.cab-acr.ca

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:
Kevin Desjardins, Manager, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
Mobile : 613-796-4462
(kdesjardins@cab-acr.ca)

Verle Mobbs, Conference Director
Canadian Music Week
Tel: 905-858-4747
Fax: 905-858-4848
E-mail: conference@cmw.net

For Publicity Inquiries:
Joanne Smale
Planet3 Communications
(416) 922-4459
joanne@planet3com.net

CAB Address Footer



CRMA Logo


2007 NOMINEES

BEST NEW SOLO ARTIST- ROCK

CITY AND COLOUR
DJ CHAMPION
JEFF MARTIN
TOMI SWICK


SAVE YOUR SCISSORS
NO HEAVEN
THE WORLD IS CALLING
COME IN 2S

BEST NEW GROUP - ROCK

EVANS BLUE
IDLE SONS
NEVERENDING WHITE LIGHTS
NEW PORNOGRAPHERS
ROCKETFACE


COLD
TELL ME
THE GRACE
USE IT
DIRTY

BEST NEW SOLO ARTIST - CHR

BIANCA
DJ CHAMPION
GEORGE
REX GOUDIE
SY'RAI


VEGAS
NO HEAVEN
TALK TO ME
RUN
ALL BY MYSELF

BEST NEW GROUP CHR

ADDICTIV
BRANDON PARIS BAND
MOBILE
SOUND BLUNTZ
SUITS XL


LITTLE GAME
REWIND & S - Canadian Association of Broadcasters.

MARIKA Nominated for Canadian Radio Music Award
January 25, 2007
Origin:
CBC and YOUR MUSIC ZONE

Canada's hottest new music stars will be honoured at the 10th Annual Canadian Radio Music Awards (CRMA) on Saturday, March 10th. Vancouver-based artist Marika's first single, You Know I Will has been nominated in the Best New Group Or Solo Artist: Dance/Urban/Rhythmic category. In previous years, the CRMAs introduced rookies such as Avril Lavigne, Sam Roberts, Arcade Fire and Michael Buble.

Presented by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), the 10th Annual Canadian Radio Music Awards will be handed out at a gala luncheon on Saturday, March 10, 2007, 12:30 p.m. at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, as part of Rogers Wireless Canadian Music Week celebrations.

CRMA nominees include artists who have hit the Canadian charts for the first time and who have achieved top airplay in different formats based on radio spins? as recorded by Nielson Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) in 2006. Votes cast by music directors, program directors and on-air personalities determine the winners. Two additional non-voting awards will also be presented at this year's ceremony: The FACTOR Breakthrough Award for top airplay for a new FACTOR supported artist; and The Chart Topper Award for top overall airplay.

Marika's second single, Radio was also released last week to radio and is already slated to be in the Top 40 this week. She was also the number 1 Canadian Content added single to radio two week's ago.
- CBC and YOUR MUSIC ZONE

new single released to radio! - Langley advance

Marika wins award for Women of Excellence! - Canada.com

Beyond Kids Music: The Day Usher Left our Building
AMBER STROCEL OCTOBER 10, 2011 3

Looking for great kids music the whole family can enjoy, from musicians in Vancouver and beyond? Guest poster Marika Siewert shares her thoughts.

I got a huge wake up call one day when my kids and I were having our daily dance party in our home to the sweet dance beats of Usher. Up to this point we were fairly open regarding the music our kids listened to, but they were so young that they just liked the beats and didn’t care too much to what was said in the songs. It helped us as parents too, so we didn’t always feel stuck listening to kids music filled with nursery rhymes all day. We never listened to what people would say were “explicit” lyrics, but would lean on mostly pop, easy listening styles and the odd Michael Jackson, as well as some classic wheels on the bus for short drives to the mall.

At the time our kids were one, three and five years old, and this particular day, we got quite the shock when our oldest started singing the lyrics to an Usher song word for word. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy the odd Usher tune. But this seemingly harmless dance tune had lyrics that were completely inappropriate for any child – and even most self-respecting adults – to be singing. That was the day Usher left our building!

Choosing Appropriate Kids Music

As a musician and songwriter, I believe the power of music and lyrics can and has shaped cultures and generations, and from a very early age influences the young minds of our children. Music can also affect how children view life, careers, and relationships. Many of us parents know about much of the kids music that is out there, but often the trendy music that plays on every radio station, YouTube channel and MP3 player finds its ways to young ears. How do we effectively choose kids music that is positive and parent-friendly?

I guess you could say I’m a bit old school, but I want to raise my boys as gentlemen that learn to treat women with respect, and I want to raise a daughter that knows she is beautiful and confident no matter what. I choose to be actively involved in what my kids hear and see. It’s normal to just go with the flow, so I encourage you to “be weird” and raise the standards for your kids! There are many great songs to listen to, so go ahead and make some family-friendly play lists as these songs may turn into anthems your kids will sing and recite for the rest of their lives.

People all over the world still talk about what they grew up listening to, or what their parents listened to. As parents, we have so much influence – sometimes even more than we even know. Here’s a taste of some local artists that have my stamp of approval. Go ahead, take a listen!

Kid-Approved Artists from my Four, Seven and Nine Year Old

Vancouver Artists
These are listed in no particular order. My own label Emerton Records puts out some awesome, family-friendly music, so I’m starting with them.

Grace Sng – Let Love Find You EP
Cathy Hardy – Love Shines Album
Marika – Never Stop Dreaming – Single
Ryan McAllister – Music for a Rainy Town
Zaac Pick – Fierce Wind
Non-Vancouver – But Still Awesome – Artists

Demi Lovato – Unbroken
Owl City – All things Bright and Beautiful
Garth Brooks – The kids love the fast stuff!
Manafest – The Chase – A great Canadian artist out of Toronto – if your kids love hip hop and rap this is the guy for you.
The Beatles – Can’t beat the classics!
What about you? What kids music does your family listen to? Do you opt for traditional kids music, or do you kick it up a notch, and how do you decide what’s appropriate?

Marika Siewert is a wife and mom of three incredible children, CEO of Emerton Records, a professional recording artist, songwriter and producer, and loves to empower, encourage, and equip people in to the direction of their dreams. - www.Vancouvermom.ca

Marika was on the list of this years nominations for transformational Canadians. - The Globe and Mail

Canadian pop recording artist and songwriter Marika Siewert has a passion to encourage, inspire, and influence others through music.

She’s hoping to once again achieve that with her new single Soldier, which is being released to radio stations across the country Monday.

This song is inspired by the Canadian troops and soldiers around the globe, she said.

“The premise of Soldier is about having someone fighting for love, and it is my desire to be able to honour these amazing soldiers,” the local singer and record producer explained.

“I am excited for the things to come,” said the Willoughby resident.

“It’s been quite the journey to even get to this point, and I am working with an incredible team that has all come together to release this new song.”

Inspiration, motivation, and global aid is what Marika’s music and pretty much everything she does in life is all about.

Whether she’s using her music to help children with disabilities in Eastern Canada, less fortunate people struggling with poverty and lack of shelter in Third World countries, or teen girls grappling with self-esteem issues in New York City, Marika said she wants to use her successes and connections to help others.

Leading by example, she said: “Make sure you are who you want to be.”

The letters D-R-E-A-M hanging on her living room wall, near a sign that said “Make each day… your masterpiece.”

“It’s not all about the fame or the fortune,” Marika said. “I want to use my platform for a purpose, to help people… and I know I can do that better by being true to myself.”

While self-esteem was never an issue this musician had to face, it became a paramount concern to her during her ascent into the industry. She kept hearing how integral image and appearance were to making it in the business, but remained steadfast she would not compromise her values, beliefs, or self in her quest for success.

Marika wanted to prove that she could be successful just being who she was.

“I always felt I couldn’t do what I do without integrity,” she said, anxious to share that message with other young women.

How a love of music began

Marika grew up in England, and at age five – apparently too young for piano lessons by the area piano teacher – decided to teach herself.

“I wanted to learn so bad,” Marika recounted. “That’s when I knew I wanted to do music.”

Born in Trinidad, and raised in England, she was 12 when her family moved to Medicine Hat, Alta.

“I never grew up around music, it was just in me,” she told the Langley Advance.

Despite having discovered a passion for the piano early, singing was a skill Marika didn’t explore until later in life.

Marika didn’t actually start singing until she was 15, as a member of the high school and church choirs.

After graduating, she moved to California to work with youth in music and drama and see if entertainment really was her calling.

“I was just trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” she said.

Eventually, she managed to scrimp together enough money to produce her first demo, and armed with that, she started competing in some music contests.

“I never did well in any of those,” she said. “But I kept going because I knew that I just got really nervous at auditions. Put me in front of thousands and everything is usually okay.”

That’s when she and her new-found songwriting friend Scott Rogers “decided to give music a shot.”

Marika and her young family moved to Langley in 2003, to work closely with Rogers in Vancouver. The pair took a year off from almost everything else in life to write songs.

“He just put his heart and soul into me,” she said, admitting she hadn’t done much songwriting until she met Rogers.

If it failed miserably, they agreed to leave the industry behind; pursue other careers.

It didn’t fail.

Within the year, they’d not only recorded Marika’s first album, but they spent four months touring in New Zealand.

Her metamorphosis into a bit of a pop icon had began.

Working with music greats

Today, Marika is a globally recognized name among the pop music industry and fans.

Marika has worked with top North American internationally acclaimed producers famous for their work with The Backstreet Boys, High School Musical, Jesse McCartney, Stacie Orrico, Jessica Simpson, Kelly Rowland and Canadian artists Hedley.

Marika co-wrote the tracks for Canadian pop sensation Elise Estrada, as well as Korea’s biggest pop star Lee Hyori with a track called My Life.

Being no stranger to the industry her previously radio released singles You Know I Will and Radio played on all the major hit radio stations across Canada landing in top 19 and 20 spots internationally and within the top five spots in Canada.

In addition to all of this success, the 30-year-old was nominated for the Canadian Radio Music awards, as best new artist in the urban category, her first independent album Untitled Chances received nominations at Canada’s Coven - Langley Advance

Share |     
Emerton Records empowers local talent

 
by Margaret Johnstone
 
It was a once-in-a-lifetime concert: Brian Doerksen, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, all on one stage in Abbotsford as part of the “United” Tour. For local performing artist Marika Siewert, it was a dream come true to even attend the event. She and her husband were thrilled with the fourth row seats they had purchased.
 
Then, two weeks before the August 2009 concert came a phone call. Doerksen, with whom Siewert had performed on his Prodigal God CD, was on the line. Would Siewert be willing to perform two songs from that album with Doerksen, onstage at the concert?
 
Born in the United Kingdom, Siewert and her family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, when she was 12. “I always wanted to be a performer on a stage,” says Siewert. “I remember being five years old and telling my parents I wanted to be a musician.” Too young at that age to enroll in piano lessons in the UK, Siewert began teaching herself piano until she was old enough to take lessons at age seven.
 
A pivotal moment for Siewert’s future career came when, as a teen in Canada, she came across Doerksen’s Father’s House CD. “Father’s House changed my life,” says Siewert. “I still wear that album out. The reason I wanted to play music for Jesus is that album.” Siewert, who has always loved musical theatre, was entranced by how the songs spoke in a theatrical, script-like manner. “I remember thinking it would make a great theatrical play,” says Siewert. 
 
While she was in Medicine Hat, the local Christian bookstore held a competition, offering Michael W. Smith’s entire discography as the prize. Siewert, 19 years old at the time, won the contest. She also became a huge fan of Steven Curtis Chapman’s music. Together, these heroes – Doerksen, Smith and Chapman – shaped Siewert’s vision of her future. 
 
That same year, Siewert decided it was “now or never” for her musical career and launched into singing professionally. Three years later, she moved to Langley, BC, and began attending Christian Life Assembly, where she connected with worship leader Scott Rogers. She also joined a band with Mike Larson and Ben Cantelon. Within several years, she was working with mainstream top-40 producer Adam Hurstfield. In 2004, Siewert started Emerton Records, initially as a recording label for her own music.
 
After moving to Langley, Siewert discovered that Father’s House had indeed been made into musical theatre. Eventually, Siewert met Doerksen through mutual friends. Doerksen informed her that he was working on a new album, Prodigal God. Similar in concept to Father’s House, the CD follows the story of several characters, including the Prodigal, a Young Woman, the Older Brother and the Father. Doerksen asked if she would perform the role of the Young Woman.
 
So when Doerksen phoned in 2009, asking if Siewert would perform two songs from Prodigal God with him as part of the United Tour with Smith and Chapman, Siewert was stunned. “These are my three biggest heroes,” Siewert says. “There was just one tour with the three of them, and I got to be onstage. I couldn’t have dreamed that up!”
 
By this time, Siewert had a successful top-40 career of her own. But it was “kind of surreal,” Siewert admits, to be standing onstage behind Steven Curtis Chapman as he was sound-checking. “I’m not a star-struck person,” says Siewert. “I get to hang out with a lot of people who have platforms and influence. But this was a childhood dream; these three people shaped my career and my ministry. I was tweeting to all my friends. It was kind of a full circle moment.” 
 
The experience is a concrete example of how Siewert approaches her work with other artists’ careers at Emerton. “What sets us apart as a company is that we trust God,” says Siewert. “When God opens the doors, it’s way bigger than what we could have imagined or planned. It’s the difference between making 50 calls and letting God tell us the one call to make. We move, and we let God steer us.”
 
In addition to Prodigal God, Emerton Records is promoting local artists Cathy Hardy’s Love Shines and Grace Sng’s Let Love Find You – currently playing on Christian radio stations. In addition, artist Laura Hastings has a new album with the label, Perfect Stranger. Siewert has also recently released a single “Never Stop Dreaming,” which she says is an unofficial “anthem” for the record label.
 
Siewert notes that there is not a lot of support on the West Coast for the type of artists Emerton works with: faith-based artists with a broader vision who can make a living with their musical careers. “Where I excel is helping artists to go beyond what they think they can accomplish. A lot of artists have raw talent with no strategy behind them. We’ve created a collaborative of artists who are not in competition with each other but who celebrate each other. There is enough money and space in the industry; each person has the - The Light Magazine

Share |     
Emerton Records empowers local talent

 
by Margaret Johnstone
 
It was a once-in-a-lifetime concert: Brian Doerksen, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, all on one stage in Abbotsford as part of the “United” Tour. For local performing artist Marika Siewert, it was a dream come true to even attend the event. She and her husband were thrilled with the fourth row seats they had purchased.
 
Then, two weeks before the August 2009 concert came a phone call. Doerksen, with whom Siewert had performed on his Prodigal God CD, was on the line. Would Siewert be willing to perform two songs from that album with Doerksen, onstage at the concert?
 
Born in the United Kingdom, Siewert and her family moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta, when she was 12. “I always wanted to be a performer on a stage,” says Siewert. “I remember being five years old and telling my parents I wanted to be a musician.” Too young at that age to enroll in piano lessons in the UK, Siewert began teaching herself piano until she was old enough to take lessons at age seven.
 
A pivotal moment for Siewert’s future career came when, as a teen in Canada, she came across Doerksen’s Father’s House CD. “Father’s House changed my life,” says Siewert. “I still wear that album out. The reason I wanted to play music for Jesus is that album.” Siewert, who has always loved musical theatre, was entranced by how the songs spoke in a theatrical, script-like manner. “I remember thinking it would make a great theatrical play,” says Siewert. 
 
While she was in Medicine Hat, the local Christian bookstore held a competition, offering Michael W. Smith’s entire discography as the prize. Siewert, 19 years old at the time, won the contest. She also became a huge fan of Steven Curtis Chapman’s music. Together, these heroes – Doerksen, Smith and Chapman – shaped Siewert’s vision of her future. 
 
That same year, Siewert decided it was “now or never” for her musical career and launched into singing professionally. Three years later, she moved to Langley, BC, and began attending Christian Life Assembly, where she connected with worship leader Scott Rogers. She also joined a band with Mike Larson and Ben Cantelon. Within several years, she was working with mainstream top-40 producer Adam Hurstfield. In 2004, Siewert started Emerton Records, initially as a recording label for her own music.
 
After moving to Langley, Siewert discovered that Father’s House had indeed been made into musical theatre. Eventually, Siewert met Doerksen through mutual friends. Doerksen informed her that he was working on a new album, Prodigal God. Similar in concept to Father’s House, the CD follows the story of several characters, including the Prodigal, a Young Woman, the Older Brother and the Father. Doerksen asked if she would perform the role of the Young Woman.
 
So when Doerksen phoned in 2009, asking if Siewert would perform two songs from Prodigal God with him as part of the United Tour with Smith and Chapman, Siewert was stunned. “These are my three biggest heroes,” Siewert says. “There was just one tour with the three of them, and I got to be onstage. I couldn’t have dreamed that up!”
 
By this time, Siewert had a successful top-40 career of her own. But it was “kind of surreal,” Siewert admits, to be standing onstage behind Steven Curtis Chapman as he was sound-checking. “I’m not a star-struck person,” says Siewert. “I get to hang out with a lot of people who have platforms and influence. But this was a childhood dream; these three people shaped my career and my ministry. I was tweeting to all my friends. It was kind of a full circle moment.” 
 
The experience is a concrete example of how Siewert approaches her work with other artists’ careers at Emerton. “What sets us apart as a company is that we trust God,” says Siewert. “When God opens the doors, it’s way bigger than what we could have imagined or planned. It’s the difference between making 50 calls and letting God tell us the one call to make. We move, and we let God steer us.”
 
In addition to Prodigal God, Emerton Records is promoting local artists Cathy Hardy’s Love Shines and Grace Sng’s Let Love Find You – currently playing on Christian radio stations. In addition, artist Laura Hastings has a new album with the label, Perfect Stranger. Siewert has also recently released a single “Never Stop Dreaming,” which she says is an unofficial “anthem” for the record label.
 
Siewert notes that there is not a lot of support on the West Coast for the type of artists Emerton works with: faith-based artists with a broader vision who can make a living with their musical careers. “Where I excel is helping artists to go beyond what they think they can accomplish. A lot of artists have raw talent with no strategy behind them. We’ve created a collaborative of artists who are not in competition with each other but who celebrate each other. There is enough money and space in the industry; each person has the - The Light Magazine