![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/56666aefbfa4471-tatachristiane.jpg\")
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Photography by Petra Moser<\/h6>\n
Today, Liam James Kelly<\/a>, interviewing for Tata Christiane, has the pleasure of speaking with Mary Ocher<\/a>, a Berlin-based singer, songwriter, and multimedia artist renowned for her genre-defying music and thought-provoking performances. Born in Moscow and raised in Tel Aviv, Mary\u2019s journey to becoming one of Berlin\u2019s most compelling artistic voices is as eclectic and dynamic as her sound. Her work, which blends elements of avant-garde, folk, punk, and electronic music, challenges societal norms and delves into profound themes of identity, politics, and human rights.<\/p>\n This month, in June 2024, Mary Ocher is releasing her highly anticipated new album, “Your Guide to Revolution.”<\/a><\/p>\n This album promises to be a powerful exploration of social and political themes, blending experimental sounds with her unique artistic vision. Join us as we explore the mind and music of Mary Ocher, uncovering the inspirations, struggles, and triumphs that shape her extraordinary career.<\/p>\n Mary Ocher:<\/strong> In the end I wasn’t expelled, I left on my own accord after long and turbulent years of coming to terms with the realization that the educational system in Israel and I didn’t quite see eye to eye. First I was forced to go to a religious school where I had some serious theological doubts, I was quite proud of reading the book “who wrote the bible” at 11, a book analyzing who the authors may have been f<\/i>rom a historical and political viewpoint, which as you can imagine the school authorities deemed blasphemous.<\/p>\n I also didn’t particularly enjoy the morning prayer of the boys “thank you Lord for not making me a woman”, and seriously opposed not being allowed to sing infront of people. My parents eventually agreed to move me to two other schools, the last of which was an art high school, but this being israel – our principal was a retired military officer, and they still taught us in history class that the Nakba never happened and the school administration was tremendously ashamed of it producing the highest amount of army refusers in the whole country – but that didn’t keep me in school, I had too many questions that teachers did not was to answer, it felt like wasting time, what I really wanted to do was be making music.<\/p>\n Mary Ocher:<\/strong> Aw, that’s so great, I don’t know it and I’ll def check it out!![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/520666aef4de2bc6-tatachristiane-760x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPhotography by Kai Heimberg<\/h6>\n
![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/520666aefd6419ec-tatachristiane.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccording to Wikipedia, you were nearly expelled from school growing up. What happened?<\/h4>\n
![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/742666aef3dc3ae0-tatachristiane.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/496666aef3183953-tatachristiane.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nPhotography by Kai Heimberg<\/h6>\n
![\"Mary](\"https:\/\/tatachristiane.com\/univers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/261666aef5a14468-tatachristiane.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPhotography by Kai Heimberg<\/h6>\n
What\u2019s an album that you adore that would surprise people if they knew? I like New Boots and Panties by Ian Dury, for example.<\/h4>\n
\nMy first choice would be “The Rubaiyat” by Dorothy Ashby<\/a> (or “The Rubaiyat of Dorothy Ashby” as it’s also known) – it’s an incredible record that is nearly out of print for some mysterious reason and it should be so much better known than it is! It is an incredible collection of psychedelic Harp and Koto compositions based on the poetry of 12th century Persian poet Omar Khayyam. Three tracks of which we made variations on in “Your Guide to Revolution”, released on June 11 2024.<\/p>\n