ABOUT ME

My name is Andra. I was born in Campia Turzii, as well as at the gates of chance, in a music-loving family.

My parents keep telling me that, before even being able to talk, I was humming the songs that they used to sing to me at that time. When I walked on the stage for the first time in my life, I looked like a dwarf from a fairytale, muffled in a traditional folk suit. The very first clapping made me feel taller, braver, bolder… I was simply a… grown woman, all of a sudden!

As the years went by, my age began being pondered in songs. The more I learned, the faster I was getting closer to that day when, right in front the door of my house, a pumpkin was supposed to turn into a carriage (another fairytale…).

Nevertheless, I’ve never got to Bucharest riding a carriage, but I got there by train. I remember how hard it was for me to get used to the broil and excitement of the metropolis, to the lively rhythm of conversations, to begin with. I looked as if I was involved in a race and, by the time I was reaching the finish line, I actually discovered that I should have worn rolling skates and wings.

After my first television appearance, I could have sworn that I wasn’t going to step on a studio ever again.

The spotlights, the microphones, the monitors, all that stuff made me dizzy, I definitely wasn’t going to confront again so many thrills. Once upon a time, a Chinese philosopher said: “A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step”. He was absolutely right.
Then my first recordings were released, along with my first videos, and I had the first concerts, of course. I gradually got so many friends, I miraculously got used to the spotlights, and I learned to focus only on what really mattered: I had to sing in such a manner, so as the audience and my music would reach the same vibration. I had to find songs in which every human being might have discovered something belonging to their own soul.

I never pay more attention to my clothes than to my music, I’m not that kind of singer. Every time I start singing, I only care about those power fluids that occur between me and the bystanders. As a matter of fact, I’ve never been arrogant and I’ve never been a hoary. I hate talking without actually saying something smart, something powerful.
I never argue and I’m definitely not interested in scandals and gossip. I’m neither envious, nor haunted by pride. I love people from the bottom of my heart. I adore people who call me Andra. Andra Maruta.

 

Awards

• “The Best Debut Project” – Romanian Music Industry Awards 2002
• “Golden Record” – for “My Love” album sales
• “The Best Singer” – Popcorn Magazine Charts 2002
• “Best Female Voice” – Love Song Festival 2003
• “Best Female Voice” – Romanian MTV Music Awards 2003
• Nomination and participation to MTV World Music Awards, Scotland 2003
• “Fastest Artistic Progress” – Radio Romania Actualitati Awards 2003
• 2^nd place Eurovision Song Contest Romania 2003
• “Best Female Voice” – Awarded by The Music Magazine of the Union of Composers 2004
• “Best Music Video” – For the single “I Want Your Kiss” – Romanian MTV Music Awards 2004
• Golden Record – For “I Want Your Kiss” 2004
• 1^st place at Mamaia Festival, Hit Section, 2004
• 2^nd place at Golden Deer Festival Brasov 2005
• 3^rd place at Mamaia Festival, Hit Section, 2005
• 1^st place at Mamaia Festival, Music Composition Section 2005
• “Best Song Of The Year” 2005
• “Best Singer Of The Year” 2005
• Nomination for MTV Music Awards 2005
• “Best Female Singer” – Romanian TopHits Awards 2006
• “Best Female Singer” – JetiKids Awards 2006
• “Best Female Singer” - Woman Of The Year Awards, Young Generation, 2006
• Golden Record, Platinum Record, Diamond Record – “The Best Album” 2007
• “Best Female Singer” – JetiKids Awards 2007
• Nomination for “Best Female Singer” – Woman Of The Year Awards 2007
• The Grand Trophy Award – “Ten For Romania” Festival 2007
• Golden Record and Platinum Record for the album called “Popular”
• The Grand Trophy Award – “Ten For Romania” Festival 2008
• The Grand Trophy Award – “Ten For Romania” Festival 2009