This is the first part of the Maria Daines interview.

Question: What got you into music?

Maria: I think it was inside me from an early age. Music was playing
constantly in our house and as I grew up I wrote poetry but never
thought of singing it. Something seems to trigger an outpouring and
the first time I sung in front of an audience I was hooked for life.
Question: What were some of the early records you liked or bought?
I like good strong voices and I heard a lot of country music, Willie
Nelson, Diana Trask, and also blues, rock and gospel. When I reached
teen age the first record I was hooked on was Kate Bush ‘The Kick
Inside’ and I remember playing it to death, such a beautiful voice and
music, it was poetic and mysterious. I was impressed big time.
Question: In your BBC Radio Cambridge Interview you said you and Paul
are going to do a blues cd. How is that coming along?
Maria: The recording was finished a while ago but we haven’t been able
to concentrate on getting the cd out there due to lack of time. We may
write a bonus track because the blues collection has been a favorite
of our fans and we can’t wait to package it. It’s always exciting to
come to the end of a journey. The title track is ‘Your Time Will
Come’.
Question: Could you give us some back ground and information about
Paul Killington?
Maria: Yes of course. Paul is the dark horse of the two of us I guess!
He originates from Harold Hill in Essex and he’s played with many
bands over the years as guitarist and often sung lead and backing
vocal. He prefers to stay out of the limelight and I respect his
wishes but I’m immensely proud to work with a musician of Paul’s
caliber. Many people believe the band is playing live on our tracks
but the music is created by Paul playing guitar, bass, occasionally
keys and he programs the drums. Many drummers have complimented Paul
on his real drum sound, it’s a skill that he plays down but I think
he’s pretty unique as a producer of so many genres and styles. It’s
been helpful to play finished songs to our band members to give them a
good idea of what we’re aiming at in rehearsal for live work.
Question: Very happy to see you are interested in animal rights. How
did you get interested in this?
Maria: Through a friend of mine, Mary Alice Pollard, Cornwall’s Voice
For Animals. We met online just before Christmas 2005 and through Mary
I learned a lot about animal cruelty. It was a real eye opener and I
think I was in shock for some time. I didn’t know how to get rid of my
sadness or how to help. Then we wrote a song for Mary’s anti-fur
campaign, the title ‘I am the owner of this coat’. It made quite an
impact around the world and helped animal rights & welfare groups to
share their message. Since then we have become involved in other
campaigns to end cruelty and in a lot of cases we’ve written a song to
speak up for the animals.

Maria Daines cd “Music United For Animals”
Question: What would you like to tell the listeners about animal rights.
Maria: I’d like to say it isn’t something we can ignore. We should all
be involved in ending cruelty wherever it may occur or for whatever
reason. If we can turn our backs on animal suffering we can also turn
our backs to human suffering. Sentient beings have a right to live
without pain and I would urge everyone to make a difference in any way
they can. Taking blankets to the local dog shelter or writing a poem,
a song, any talent you can offer or simply giving your time is a
tremendous boost for rescuer’s and groups campaigning for a better
life for the voiceless. There’s many links on our website where you
can find educational information and I hope we can all help to create
a more peaceful and understanding world for future generations.
We’ve just finished a song called ‘Save Our World’ which we hope will
enlighten people to the plight of endangered species. All download
proceeds are for Wildlife Direct and we hope the song is a reminder
that the planet is in danger of losing some of the most vibrant creatures
and their habitats.
Please support: Save our World this is less than you would spend on
a candy bar or beer, please help.

Cornwall’s Voice for Animals
Member: ( OIPA ) International Organisation for Animal Protection.
NGO affiliated to the UN Department of Public Information
Wag NY (Welfare For Animals Global)
Tomorrow I’ll have the conclusion of the interview with Maria Daines
and she talks about some of the songs she and Paul have recorded.
Till then check out their website, and MySpace page.

Don’t forget to pick their great cd “Music United For Animals” at CD Baby