Maria Mena - July 12, 2004

Here are some of the highlights from the Interview.

Tommy: Welcome to the U.S. are you looking for an exciting week?

Maria: I haven't even thought about it. I don't even do that when i'm in Norway. Yeah, its crazy. I thought about it today and i'm going to post something on my website like 'Oh wow I'm excited' cuz I am.

Tommy: And to make it even crazier, your going to be hanging with David Lettermen on Tuesday night. Are you going to be ready for that?

Maria: Again, I try to procrastinate when it comes to things like that. I try not to think about it until it really happens, and then I freak out. So I probably will go crazy backstage and be like 'I can't do this'. He seems like a nice guy though so he will probably make me feel pretty comfortable.

Tommy: "White Turns Blue" will be your release here but you also have some other Euro releases. What is the difference between them?

Maria: Well this is basically the remake of the second album in Norway called "Mellow". It also has three songs from "Another Phase" on it so thats why its like the U.S. version. It's pretty confusing but the difference is basically I matured.

Tommy: Did you expect for "You're The Only One" to take off like it did on CHR and pop radio?

Maria: No, not at all. I just came over here and people were really excited and I was just like 'okay, well it won't hurt me, release it'. Even when people show up for signings. I felt really stupid the first time because I was like nobody is going to show up and i'm just going to sit there with my pen and my album and nobody is going to show up. People actually showed and wanted to get things signed. They know the song and they know me. They've been on the net searching my name and its sick.

Tommy: With your dad being a drummer do you feel like that has inspired you to take the path that you have?

Maria: Absolutely, I feel like i've always wanted to be apart of the music especially in Norway. Its a small scene but I've always been drawn to that. I guess I am apart of that now. Its just in inspiration cuz my dad is just crazy.

Tommy: What kind of artist are you checking out in Norway these days?

Maria: Right now we have a ton of artists coming out who are just so talented. I'm not sure if America is ready for it though. A lot of heavy metal bands actually.

Tommy: Are you into that?

Maria: I am actually.

Tommy: So can we except any rock pieces from you?

Maria: Not from me! I mean I have sort of gone over to rock, that was always my intention but I went really soft on my first record.

Tommy: Is there anything special that is just about to happen right around the corner?

Maria: I can't tell you right now. But stay tuned I guess you can say. I guess were going to post it on the website but we have a lot of secrets that we can't really say right now but there are a lot of really cool things coming up. If everything goes well I get to tour soon. So that will be cool.