By: Staff
Maria Weissman is set to release "The Poet," a deeply personal and captivating musical journey that explores her family's artistic legacy, debuting on September 13, 2024.
With a beautiful, unique and incredible performance, we were graced with this outstanding work by this powerful and emerging gem of an artist. After hearing this song, we were thrilled to have discovered Maria Weissman and this extraordinary story song, imbued with history and profound meaning. From the first notes flowing from this beautiful artist's mouth, we were completely floored. Her power and expression rival those of the best Broadway singers in the world. As the performance unfolds, we absorb the stunning lyrics and heartfelt message.
When we hear the line “the poet deals in hope and truth,” we are instantly fixated and hypnotized, compelled to listen to this incredible performance. The sustained, soaring explosion of emotion when Maria sings “such power” is jaw-dropping in its intensity. The supporting piano accompaniment is equally intense, perfectly adorning Weissman’s vocals and allowing her to shine with a display that leaves us breathless. The decision to keep her vocals front and center was a masterstroke by the producer and engineering team.
As the tempo and intensity shift, her whisper-soft vocals feel as if she's right there with you, gazing into your eyes, making you feel every word and every breath. One standout segment that truly captivates is “so I tremble as I write, and cast my words into the night.” This song is nothing short of magical, a true aristocracy of lyricism and performance. The only flaw in this masterpiece is that it isn’t longer; we could listen to this artist perform for hours on end.
In "The Poet," Maria Weissman pays tribute to her grandfather, Norman Weissman, and reflects on her family's rich artistic lineage, which includes legendary figures like Arthur Miller and Robert Frost. This project encapsulates not only a heartfelt collaboration across generations but also a meditation on art, legacy, and the enduring power of connection.
Maria Weissman’s "The Poet" captivates with its heartfelt storytelling and stunning vocals. Each lyric resonates with emotional depth, making it an unforgettable experience. Maria’s exploration of her family’s artistic roots adds a rich layer to the song, transforming it into a tribute that celebrates the universal longing for connection.
Prepare to be swept away by the captivating allure of "The Poet," the upcoming release from the immensely talented Maria Weissman. This deeply personal song promises to take listeners on a profound journey, intertwining rich storytelling with the evocative power of music. As you delve into this remarkable piece, you’ll uncover not only the beauty of Maria's artistry but also the heartfelt connections that inspired this extraordinary work. Don't miss the chance to experience the magic that unfolds in "The Poet."
You can find this release on any major platform; see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "The Poet" by Maria Weissman.
We had the pleasure of interviewing this soon-to-be legendary artist to delve deeper into the meaning and story behind the song. Read the interview below to discover more about the beauty and complexity of this amazing project.
Maria Weissman responded to us for an exclusive interview in:
"The Cage" Music Blog.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
Q: How long have you been making music?
A: Almost 3 decades… I started taking flute lessons at 6 years old, and it snowballed from there.
Q: How does "The Poet" reflect your personal experiences and family history, and can you share how your collaboration process with your grandfather shaped the project?
A: From childhood on, my Grandfather (a professional writer and director) was always incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of my creative endeavors, especially writing and music. He always loved receiving my school essays and songs once I started songwriting. I’d often email him, and he always ended his responses to me with “Love and a hug.”
When I had the idea for him to send me some of his poetry for me to set to music, he was similarly enthusiastic. I received the typewritten copies in the mail only a few days later. From there, it was completely up to me what to do with them musically. He enjoyed the bits I sent him and honestly just loved whatever I came up with. His brother and dad were talented musicians, but he didn’t consider himself one, so I had a lot of freedom there musically.
Q: How did your grandfather’s unpublished poems and the discovery of your great-grandfather's archive shape the direction of your music in "The Poet" and impact your understanding of your own creative journey?
A: It made me realize how similar we all are, just as people, generation to generation. Our elders dealt with the same joy, heartache, stressors, and wins that we do, and as our future generations will. Obviously certain things change, but the basic pain points and celebratory aspects of life continue on cyclically. I find both comfort in that continuity, and some wistfulness, since there are so many aspects of them we’ll never fully know.
Overall, for me, it has driven home the point that there’s no one “right” way to have a creative journey. It’s all about doing what feels most aligned for your spirit.
Q: How did living on opposite coasts influence the collaboration with your grandfather, and in what ways did "The Poet" help bridge that geographical divide?
A: Because we were physically far apart, I made a point to call him about once a week. It was during one of these calls that the idea came to me about potentially collaborating. I also knew he had lived in Los Angeles for some time, and that I had heritage in this area, so when he passed, it especially encouraged me to look more into that.
Q: How do you see the themes of family legacy and artistic connection evolving in your future projects beyond "The Poet"?
A: I’m aiming to work on a full-length album next, and I hope to bring all of these themes and more into it.
Q: What has been the most surprising reaction you've received about your music or "The Poet"?
A: It’s always funny to release creative work to the public because of the range of reactions. I’d say all of it is surprising because I only have the insight into myself and my experience, so I never really know how it’s going to land. So many have shared with me how incredibly moved they are by both the story and the song itself. I’ve had some reach out who never met my Grandfather saying that he sounds like a wonderful person and they’d love to hear more about him. And then others who were close with him completely ignore it. It’s always a range.
Q: In what ways do you think "The Poet" stands out from your previous work?
A: In a number of ways; it’s the first song I’ve released that’s just me playing and singing everything. It’s also my first released co-write.
Q: What role does storytelling play in your music, particularly in "The Poet"?
A: In terms of my natural abilities, I feel like I’m a writer first and a musician second. Even within my music itself, the thing that typically draws people to my voice is the emotional delivery and layers within the lyrics.
(I also teach voice, and love the vast and diverse assortment of voices out there – some just so beautiful you’d happily listen to them sing gibberish).
For me, though, I’d say storytelling is the cornerstone of all of my music.
Q: Can you describe to us the theme for your artwork and what was the inspiration and intention for the observer to absorb from it?
A: The song art is a photo of my Grandfather, Norman Weissman, with Robert Frost at Dartmouth college during one of their poetry classes. My Grandfather shared with me that he initially wanted to be a poet but then decided he wasn’t good enough (and eventually became an acclaimed writer/ director instead). The story stuck with me, and was part of what sparked my asking him if he still had any poems that he’d want to send me for a co-write project.
Q: What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations with?
A: I typically use piano and/or guitar.
Q: Where do you start the production of your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with an outside producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?
A: I record and produce from my home studio setup, and then have the wonderful Joe Endozo mix and master my work.
Q: What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc.?
A: I love writing songs and could happily do that endlessly, stress-free.
Recording and producing them is a whole other animal that requires a lot of discipline and a mix of both extreme expressiveness and then detachment that can be a lot to manage. It’s fun and challenging in its own way.
The time and labor required to go from having a finished, recorded track to actually releasing it is probably the most stressful part of the cycle.
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Maria Weissman’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Maria Weissman on Spotify & YouTube.
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