When we're young, we're on what seems like an endless journey to figure out who we are. And while that's just another phase of adolescence. For Marina Kaye, it was a way for her to find her voice in music. Winning La France a un Incroyable Talent at 13 the French singer, now 18, is making her US debut with Fearless. With contributions from Sia and Lindsey Stirling, Marina takes us into her world, which might sound dark but also is quite empowering. We had the chance to chat with her about the EP as well as the young woman behind the music.

You were on the talent competition show, La France a un Incroyable Talent, and also won when you were 13. What was that experience like and what did you learn from being on the show?

It's really difficult to say it was really because I was so nervous. I really wanted to win. It was an ambition for me. I really wanted to win the show; so I wasn't really enjoying it. I was very, very nervous. I always wanted to be the best. I always wanted to make the best performance. Other than that, the most important thing [to me] was to enjoy being onstage and have a real connection with the audience. So that's what I learned from the show.

You mention being nervous when you're onstage, especially when the audience is unfamiliar. How do you deal with that?

Usually I have my little fluff ball with me, my little doggie. So I spend a lot of time with her. She's a little Pomeranian; so she's so cute. She's with me all the time, and then I feel a lot better. But she's not with me [at the time of this interview]. So I'm trying to relax. I talk to my musicians and producers, pretty talk to everyone before I go onstage. I'm trying to enjoy the vibe so I can go onstage and relax.

 

A photo posted by Marina Kaye (@marinakayeofficial) on Apr 19, 2016 at 9:34am PDT

What is "Homeless" about?

"Homeless" is about me not being protected by anyone when I was a kid. I had a really difficult childhood. I felt that anything could happen, and no one will be there to help you or get you through things. It's really difficult for a child, and I felt like that and needed to express that in my music. And I did feel homeless, not [the traditional definition of] homeless. But if someone was trying to hurt me, no one would be there to protect me.

Sia wrote the song "Freeze You Out" for you. Take me back to that moment when you found that she had a song for you. How that feel?

I was in a restaurant with my piano player and my producer. My producer told me, "Marina, Sia wrote a song for you, and she just gave you the first cut of it." And I was like, "Are you fucking kidding me?" I just couldn't believe it. I was so happy, and it was before my album [Fearless] came out. So I was very, very excited. And the song is so beautiful. I love it.

And what is your favorite Sia song?

I would pick "Elastic Heart" or "Big Girls Cry."

You also did a song with Lindsey Stirling called "Sounds Like Heaven," and you also were the opening act on her tour. So how did that collaboration come about?

I opened for in 2014 when she did a few shows in France. And when I met her, I felt this real connection. I thought this girl was so cool and so amazing. And we talked about how great it would be for us to do something together. So I recorded "Sounds Like Heaven," and she agreed to play the violins on it. I'm so proud of the song.

There's a very dark and mature element to it. Where does this all come from?

Everything I write is from my personal experiences, and that's why it's so dark. As I mentioned, I wasn't really protected as a child. I was trying really hard to get through things and love myself at the same time. I was trying to find who I was, and no one would help me to do that. I was lost. So I needed to express those feelings. I really needed to talk about it, and my only way of expression is by singing and songwriting. So I wrote.

Who would be your dream collaboration?

Bruno Mars. I'm a really big fan. He's a writer, a singer, a producer, a musician. He's just an artist, and I think he's really great.

You've gotten so much success with your album, Fearless, in Europe. How does it feel to finally be bringing your music to America?

I absolutely don't think I've made it yet. I think it's great to release the first EP in the US, and I'm very excited about that. But I know it's a very long journey, and I want to be a real international singer. I want to make music internationally, like for real. And coming here is the next step. I think it's going to be really hard to do something great and being accepted and respected. I know it will be a long journey, but I'm excited because I always wanted to make something great in America and sing in English. So I'm very excited.