The 12 Books of Christmas | An Evening with Marina Diamandis
Intelligence Squared
Deep Dive
Why did Marina decide to switch from songwriting to poetry?
Marina was inspired during a shroom trip and realized the lyrics she wrote didn't fit into a pop song structure but could work as poems. This discovery led her to write daily over the summer, exploring themes more deeply than she could in songs.
What was Marina's life like when she was writing her poetry collection?
In 2022, Marina had moved to LA permanently two years prior, was single, and adjusting to the isolation of a new city. She explored themes of loneliness and self-discovery, magnified by LA's size and her personality.
How does Marina differentiate between songwriting and poetry?
Marina found that poetry allowed her to explore a wider variety of subjects and be more literal, without the commercial constraints of pop songs. She also enjoyed the freedom to expand on topics she had previously touched on in her music.
What themes does Marina explore in her poetry collection?
Marina's poetry delves into personal themes like loneliness, body image, disordered eating, male validation, and the struggle of succeeding in LA. She also writes about her fear of being happy and the comfort she found in sadness.
How does Marina view the role of sadness in her creativity?
Marina believes that her experiences, including sadness, were the impetus for her becoming an artist. However, she also admires artists who don't work from a place of sadness and thinks happiness and emotional stability can coexist with artistic expression.
What inspired Marina to write about nature and climate in her poem 'Billionaire's Beach'?
Marina was inspired by her fear of the sea and a new perspective on nature, viewing it as an entity more knowledgeable than humans. She juxtaposes the timelessness of nature with man-made structures, questioning humanity's perceived superiority.
How has Marina's view of intimacy and connection changed over time?
Marina's poetry reflects her ongoing journey to understand and overcome patterns of seeking validation in relationships. Moving to LA and entering the dating world via apps brought up pre-existing issues, which she is gradually working through.
How does Marina see the link between therapy and her poetry?
Marina acknowledges that therapy helped her process her experiences, which in turn informed her poetry. She sees writing as therapeutic in that it forces her to confront and acknowledge her feelings, even if it's not a substitute for therapy.
What challenges does Marina face as a pop artist in her 30s?
Marina feels the pressure of breaking the
What pivotal moment in Marina's career had the most significant impact on her life?
Marina cites getting signed as the most pivotal moment, which radically changed her life mentally and otherwise. However, she feels her career has been a gradual process without a single
How does Marina handle envy or projection from people close to her due to her success?
Marina understands that her success can trigger feelings of envy or existential crisis in those close to her, especially former partners. She empathizes with their reactions, as achieving success in the music industry is rare and often unexpected.
What advice would Marina give to her younger self when she first got signed?
Marina would advise her younger self to be more careful about the people she surrounds herself with, especially her team. She emphasizes the importance of choosing people who genuinely care about her and can enrich her life.
Why did Marina decide to share her struggles with body image and disordered eating in her poetry?
Marina initially wrote about her struggles selfishly, as she needed to express herself. However, she is glad she did, as it adds to the public conversation about body image and may help fans who are struggling with similar issues.
What is Marina's stance on motherhood and why did she choose to remain child-free?
Marina has chosen to remain child-free after deep reflection over three years. She respects those who choose to become parents but felt a societal pressure to conform. Once she accepted her decision, her life improved significantly.
How does Marina envision her future as a pop artist growing older?
Marina hopes to transition from girlhood to womanhood in her artistry, embracing her personal sense of power and authenticity. She doesn't have long-term plans but is enjoying the creative process of her next album, which explores these themes.
- Marina's inspiration for writing poetry stemmed from a shroom trip.
- The poems explore themes of loneliness, isolation, and the difficulties of adapting to a new city.
- Marina found poetry allowed her to be more literal and explore past experiences more deeply than songwriting.
Shownotes Transcript