Interview: Marina Josephina & Robyn Errico

Stockton’s Marina Josephina and Darlington’s Robyn Errico are two rising artists set to take the stage at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton on Friday 4th July. 

Marina, a BBC Introducing ‘One to Watch’ for 2025, merges neo-soul, jazz, and R&B, bringing a blend of rich melodies and heartfelt storytelling. Robyn, known for her cinematic soundscapes and genre-defying compositions, crafts music that balances vulnerability with powerful arrangements. 

Ahead of the show, we catch up with both artists to find out more…

How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
Marina: My music is a blend of jazz, soul and R&B with a pop flourish, which technically makes it Neo-Soul. But honestly, I just write music that feels right to me, and I never want to put myself in a position where I can only be one thing. It doesn’t suit my personality, haha!

Robyn: This is a question that I struggle with a lot. My music is definitely a bit of a blend, but even I’m not quite sure what of. I usually point towards the artists that people tend to relate me to. Most often, I’m told that my music is like a combination of Kate Bush and Portishead. It’s piano-based, electronically inspired, epic, atmospheric and unconventional. And it’s evolving all the time! 

Who are your biggest creative influences?
Marina: Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones – but also more recent bands like Sammy Rae & The Friends, Couch, and Lawrence.

Robyn: There are so many. Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Bon Iver, and Alanis Morissette are five that I will always come back to, but there are many more, and these are also always changing. Recently, I’ve been very into the music of Bess Atwell and Mariem Hassan, who are/were both incredible musicians.

What have been your best memories of being an artist and what have some of the challenges been?
Marina: Taking songs I’ve written alone at my piano, arranging them with my band, sharing them with audiences, and turning them into fully produced tracks – it’s such a surreal experience and I’m so grateful for it. When people tell me they love my music or that they saw me live and thought it was amazing, it blows my mind to think I actually have… fans! This is only my second year performing and releasing music, so one challenge has definitely been keeping up the momentum, but I’m proud of myself for putting my work out there and giving it my all.

Robyn: My best memory so far was definitely the headline gig I played at the Forum in Darlington. It was amazing to have so many people come down and make me really proud to be able to fill such a classic venue in my hometown. Also, I have met so many extraordinary people through music, and really cherish all of these new connections.

In terms of challenges, the main one for me was getting started in the first place. Two years ago, I barely had the confidence to sing or play the piano for anyone, so this has been a time of great personal transformation for me. It’s still easy to feel imposter syndrome creeping in from time to time – I think many artists would agree that it is very real and can be very crippling. Luckily, you can’t be an impostor if you’re just being yourself, so that’s how I’m trying to overcome that one.

What’s the most unexpected place you’ve ever found inspiration for a song?
Marina: I’ve definitely been mid-argument with someone and taking mental notes for lyrics.

Robyn: I love this question. I feel like I could write a philosophical thesis on the idea that there are no unexpected places to find inspiration, because inspiration is everywhere if you are open to it. However, my answer is YouTube. I love YouTube, I grew up with YouTube, and YouTube entertains me constantly. Perhaps divinely guided by the YouTube algorithm, late last year I ended up down a rabbit hole of videos on vortex energy and supernatural healing in Sedona, Arizona. A couple of days later, my song Welcome to Sedona was fully formed! Thanks, YouTube.

What’s your first memory of each other’s music, and what stands out to you about their style?
 Robyn: Because I live under a large rock, the first time I heard Marina’s music was pretty recently when she released her new song, Emily. Within about 3.5 seconds, it was stuck in my head, where it remained for many days. Such a gorgeous, catchy song but with so much beautiful meaning. I think that combination of upbeat, feel-good music with really sincere and thoughtful messaging behind it is what stands out the most. And her voice! 

If you could duet on a cover version of a song with the other artist, which one would you pick and why
Robyn: For some reason, my mind instantly went to Wake Up Alone by Amy Winehouse. I’m a huge Amy Winehouse fan, and Wake Up Alone is one of my absolute favourites. I feel like it would complement us both, our different voices and styles, very well.

What’s the strangest gig or performance experience you’ve ever had?
Marina: The strangest gig I’ve done (but I loved it!) was in a super cute little tearoom in Staithes. I played on an old piano they had there and there were about 12 dogs in the room. It felt just like being in my mum’s living room – she has a dog and so do my siblings, so family gatherings are always full of dogs too. It was amazing!

Robyn: Ha, probably when my attempt to casually walk onto stage when supporting Weathership at Middlesbrough Town Courtroom resulted in me accidentally triggering a preloaded sample on my keyboard’s sample pad, that I had not yet removed. Queue generic house music beats, and a smattering of slow, confused clapping from the audience. A smooth start.  

How does the energy of a live show change the way you approach your music? 
Marina: I’ll always create raw and honest music because that’s what I believe in, but I love making people feel good. I really like that live shows give me the chance to make people smile, laugh and feel positive. 

Robyn: It does something intangible, I suppose, and makes me feel everything more intensely. I think that energy from the audience helps to let the experience wash over me, let go of the pursuit of perfection a little more, and perform from a place of feeling and connection.

What can audiences expect from The Georgian Theatre show? 
Marina: We’re going to have the best time! My band are phenomenal, we’ve got some new tunes, and you can expect plenty of stories from me too. Plus, we’re so lucky to have the fabulous Robyn Erico opening the night.

Robyn: We may currently only be a two-piece (my drummer and I), but audiences can expect a big, atmospheric sound and a good variety of my original songs, both released and unreleased. I’m also going to be playing some brand new stuff for the first time, which I’m really excited about.

Do you have anything else exciting coming up in the near future, that you can tell us about?
Marina: All I can say for now is… a project is in the works.

Robyn: I’m going to be releasing a second EP later this year, which feels like a very momentous thing. I’m not sure quite when, yet. I said June, then August, but life happens and things inevitably take more time than I estimate when I’m excited about something. Now, it looks a little more like it might be autumn. So, stay tuned!