Marina: 'Music should say something'

Marina Diamandis has opined that it is important for artists to make a statement with their music.

The Marina and the Diamonds singer believes that many artists are failing to connect with their audience because they only sing "pretty" songs.

"If I haven't got a story, I don't just write," she told Artist Direct.

"You're not doing it to sing a pretty song. If I didn't have anything to say I wouldn't have wanted to be a pop artist.

"I think there are many artists in pop [who] don't add anything to the mentality of pop culture and don't connect to people in a genuine and pure way. That's what I wanted to articulate."

The singer also confessed that she was offered a quick path to success, but refused to compromise her integrity as an artist.

"There are two paths that you can take in this career and life in general," she continued.

"The first path will get you success quickly, but it won't last. The other one - the path that you take when you don't compromise - is the hard one. But your success in the end will mean something and will last in the long term. That's what I believe in as an artist."

Marina and the Diamonds release a new single, 'Shampain', on October 4.