Anya Marina

Anya Marina Kroth was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on September 23, 1976. Raised in Cupertino, California, she later pursued acting in Los Angeles, attending classes at the British American Drama Academy and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her early acting credits included roles in films such as “100 Girls.” She returned to Cupertino to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing and linguistics from Santa Clara University. During her college years, she worked as a DJ at KSCU and was the lead singer for the Bay Area band Andalusia. After graduation, Marina worked in radio, including stints at XHRM-FM in San Diego, before beginning her career as a singer-songwriter.

Marina’s musical career began in San Diego, where she started writing her own songs and performing at open mic nights. Her debut was a five-song EP, “Exercises in Racketeering.” This led to her first full-length album, “Miss Halfway,” released on January 25, 2005. The album received a San Diego Music Award for Best Recording. She toured as an opener for artists such as Jason Mraz, Juliana Hatfield, and Rhett Miller. On January 20, 2009, she released her second album, “Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II,” which earned a San Diego Music Award for Song of the Year for “Move You.” Her song “Satellite Heart” was featured on “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” soundtrack in 2009. She co-hosted the live MySpace broadcast of the “New Moon” premiere and her cover of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” was featured on “Gossip Girl” in the same year.

In 2012, Marina released the album “Felony Flats” after moving to Portland, Oregon to write and record. She then relocated to New York City to continue her work. Her music has been licensed for numerous television shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Vampire Diaries,” and “13 Reasons Why.” She has released multiple studio albums, EPs, and a live album, “Live and Alone in New York” in 2021. Marina has also toured with comedians like Nikki Glaser, with her music spanning indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock.