Today we’d like to introduce you to Peyton Marie.
Hi Peyton, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with music started when I was five years old and my parents signed me up for piano lessons. As I got older, I learned more instruments, did show choir for several years, and played in a band from 7th grade to senior year of high school. I was introduced to an organization called the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy by my choir teacher. I learned how to front a band and it led me to try songwriting. I have always loved writing but that was the first time I had flexed my songwriting skills. A few months ago, I transferred to Belmont University in Nashville and my next single comes out on November 18th. Adjusting to a new city has been a little difficult, but I’ve already been introduced to new opportunities and people that I wouldn’t have experienced in my hometown. I grew up listening to Greenday and Avril Lavigne, and in middle school, I was introduced to bands like My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and Blink-182 by my bandmates.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not really, haha. Being a small independent artist comes with its own set of struggles, and so does being one in a small city in the midwest–such as my hometown, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I was lucky enough to grow up around other musicians, but the connections and opportunities ended there. If I wanted to make it as an artist and grow within the music industry, I had to create opportunities for myself. With the release of my first EP, I jumped fully into the music industry, quickly reaching outside of my hometown scene that I had already outgrown. I was grateful to have some mentors to ask questions to, but mostly I had to figure it out on my own without any guidance. I’ve gained knowledge about copyright, distribution, splits and royalties through releasing music. I had to learn how to navigate Instagram and Facebook ads along with landing blog and playlist placements to promote my music. I quickly figured out that social media is a tool and the importance of networking, especially since I’m unable to go out and meet these people without buying a plane ticket.
With the lack of artist resources in my hometown and the inability to drive hours to the nearest major city to book a photo studio, I created my own in my parent’s basement. I directed my own photoshoots for cover art and promotion with the help of my best friend and her camera. My first music video was made with people I knew from high school with professional equipment the videographer borrowed from the company he works for. The road has been kind of bumpy, but it forced me to learn how to solve problems and gain knowledge first-hand.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter! I write pop-punk and alternative. The punk scene is extremely male-dominated and has been since its beginning. So I think being a woman in general sets me apart. It’s just not seen as a feminine genre with very few major female artists and bands, and I’d like to help change that.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
That if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peytonmarieofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peytonmarieofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peytonmariemusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9kHVgL3P8V5wAYsCn7hDA
Image Credits
Leah Hiemstra Elizabeth Marsh
