Marina Lambrini Diamandis (Greek: Μαρίνα-Λαμπρινή Διαμάντη, pronounced /diːəˈmændi/ dee-a-man-dis, born October 10, 1985 in Abergavenny, Wales, United Kingdom), better known by her stage name Marina and The Diamonds, is a Greek-Welsh singer. Despite the name, she is a solo act, the "Diamonds" being a reference to her fans. Her eponymous name consists of Diamandis' first name and the translation of her surname, which means "Diamonds" in Greek.
Diamandis released her first single (a double A-side single Obsessions/Mowgli's Road) through Neon Gold Records on Valentine's Day, 2009, closely followed by The Crown Jewels EP in June 2009. Now signed to 679 Recordings, Her first single with the label was Mowgli's Road, released in November 2009. In January 2010 she reached #2 on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll list. This was followed by the release of her debut full-length studio album, The Family Jewels, in February 22 2010, and her debut American release, The American Jewels EP on May 25 2010.
The Family Jewels peaked at #5 in the UK Albums Chart and was certified Silver in the United Kingdom days before its release. Hollywood was released as the lead single from the album on February 1 2010, followed by a re-release of I Am Not a Robot on April 26 2010. Diamandis said she decided to re-release the song because "people seem to empathize and relate with the song, regardless of gender or age."
Oh No! was the next single to be released from The Family Jewels on August 2 2010, and Shampain follows on October 11 2010, to coincide with her biggest UK and Ireland tour to date.
Radioactive was released as the first single from Marina's second album, Electra Heart. The single premiered on BBC Radio 1 on August 22, 2011 and will be released on October 3, 2011. (Radioactive Songfacts).
Diamandis' musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more uptempo new wave-style songs with full band backing. She has cited a wide range of influences such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, Patti Smith, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton, and Madonna.
