Maja Lena is the solo moniker of Sweedish songstress Marianne Parrish, formerly of alt-folk band Low Chimes. Recorded and produced by former bandmate Rob Pemberton at his home studio in Stroud, this track sets Marianne along her way, solo but in comfortable surroundings.
“Avalanche,” the debut single from Sweedish songwriter Maja Lena is beautiful and effortless in its entirety. Lena’s voice sinks into organic instrumentation, maneuvering calmly, setting a tone for discovery and wonderment. A song that lives in a world akin to a Wes Anderson film, Lena muses with charming and versatile phrasing and smooth wordplay: the result is stunning and concise folk music.
“Avalanche tells a short albeit arduous tale of expectations vs reality,” says Lena. “A long life lesson in this is mirrored in a failed hike up a mountain in the Lake District which inspired the song, involving a giant knee-deep bog and a thunderstorm. It is also about learning to accept things how they’ve turned out and having to let go of our mind pictures.”
