Following My Dreams: A Tribute to the Past and a Promise for the Future
Naarm/Melbourne-based alternative rock band Belle Haven have just unveiled their new EP ‘something new’. Guitarist Daniel ‘Mara’ Marinakis considers his place in the world:
I think a lot about how lucky I am. Like, we’re so fortunate to be alive in this time, in this place. Most of human history was about just surviving. My family’s story hits that hard. My grandparents on both sides came from nothing—one side from a persecuted caste in India, the other from this tiny village on a forgotten island in Greece. Fast forward one generation, and here I am in Melbourne, living a life that’s a world away from theirs.
They went through it all: persecution, exile, a world war, and even natural disasters. They gave up everything and moved to Australia, hoping for a better life. And honestly, I think about that every single day. The fact that they sacrificed everything so that I could have the opportunities they didn’t.
And with that comes a big question: what do I do with that? Do I just settle into the system and become a wage slave? Nah, that’s not it. The way I see it, the best way to honour what they gave up is to live as authentically as possible. And for me, that means music. Performing with Belle Haven is where I feel most at home. So that’s where I’m putting my heart because I truly believe that’s what my family wanted for me—not just to survive but thrive.
This industry can chew you up and spit you out, but honestly? I’ve still got it better than any of my ancestors ever did. So I’m gonna keep chasing what I love. That’s what our ‘something new’ EP is all about for me. It’s us being as honest and raw as we’ve ever been, putting everything into this.
’something new’ isn’t just about making music; it’s about living a life that’s real—refusing to settle for anything less than what sets our souls on fire. That’s the legacy I want to carry forward—the one my family worked so hard for, a life full of meaning, passion, and purpose. So yeah, I’m here, still making music, because I owe it to them. And I owe it to myself.
‘something new’ is available worldwide now.
Keep up to date with the band on Insta.
