Mariana Brito da Cruz Forjaz Secca is better known by her stage name MARO and captures hearts worldwide with her soulful music and meaningful lyrics. The 29-year old Portuguese singer-songwriter has quickly grown from an aspiring veterinarian to an international musical sensation. Her victory at the Festival da Canção 2022 allowed her to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the beautiful song “Saudade, saudade,”. This early success marked just one highlight in her rapidly growing career.
Portuguese singer admired by global icon Billie Eilish
Before MARO became a name in the music scene, she planned to become a veterinarian. However, she finally decided for a music career and studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Los Angeles. In combination with her kind, calm and warm personality, MARO always managed to develop further. Accompanied by successful Youtube concerts and the moving lyrics in her songs, she built a great following on Social-Media.
Nowadays, even global icons like Billie Eilish admire MARO for her beautiful and deeply expressive songs. Eilish, along with her brother Finneas O’Connell, has just openly expressed admiration for MARO’s work and particularly for the track “we’ve been loving in silence,”. She noted MARO’s “incredible voice” as a source of inspiration during challenging times. For the Portuguese singer, this was an emotional message and it remains to be seen whether there will be a collaboration between the two in the future.
Album “hortelã”: A return to the roots
On April 2023, MARO released her latest album, “hortelã,” a project that sees her returning to the gentle folk nuances that first endeared her to fans. Tracks like “just wanna forget you” offer listeners a seat beside MARO on a journey through sorrow and vulnerability, with her voice as the only constant in a world that blurs by. Another song, “ouvi dizer,” brings listeners in the warmth of an imaginary sun and evokes the feeling of a fresh sea breeze with its cozy melodies.
On tour in 2024: MARO also outside of Portugal
MARO’s music exceeds the traditional themes of love, heartache, and longing. Therefore, she offers a musical escape from the chaos of daily life. Through minimalistic, acoustic instrumentation, she proves that profound beauty and meaning can be found in simplicity. It’s her authentic and vulnerable self-presentation that gives her music a unique and irresistible charm.
On top, we are happy to announce that MARO even started her European Tour this year and will visit many places in and outside of Portugal. Check out her upcoming tour dates and get your tickets quickly before it’s too late. We also booked our tickets for the concert in Dortmund and we are already looking forward to meet her there! MARO is definitely a name and personality to remember, who represents Portugal in a perfect way. Muito obrigado MARO!
Photos from Simão Pernas – IG: @simon__fotografia
