Today we’d like to introduce you to Mare.
Hi Mare, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in any urban environment, but for me in particular Philly, as a kid I was exposed to a lot. A lot of trauma, a lot of sad stories, a lot of grief, struggle, and loss but as well on the flip side it’s a city with a lot of creativity, a lot of individuality, passionate energy and just love. Experiencing such strong influences early on, I never knew where to place all those big emotions I felt at such a small age so I turned to the music. Music was always a part of my life, from my grandma taking me to sing in the church choir with her at 3 to my dad teaching me about the cultural impacts of hip hop and playing me the first Lauryn Hill song I ever heard at 8. I wrote my first song in the first grade after my parents split. Could barely spell but I somehow knew how to express my own pains. After that first heartbreak song I wrote at 6, came more life disappointments so I never ran out of words to write.
It definitely hasn’t been an easy road to get to where I am currently and of course, there’s so much further I’d like to take my music brand and career. I started taking my artistry more seriously in college, going to an HBCU (S/O to Hampton) and being around so many talented, smart and creative young black people really pushed me out of my shell. For a long time, music was just a source of personal healing and I was too protective of my writings to share to the masses even though the desire was always there. I had experience singing/performing in front of crowds from like choir and school plays but it was in college where MARE aka MareTheSinger was born. Being encouraged to showcase my talents and original content as an actual artist gave me the confidence boost I needed to take the first steps toward building the music brand that I now have. From that moment on, it’s been a true evolution of grind mode: performing, networking, collaborating with others and studying the game.
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?
Anyone who says the road as a creative is easy is a liar!! The smoothest my journey has ever been was probably when I first got the courage to start because back then it was just the desire to get in the studio to make records but the higher you climb, the more complex the obstacles become.
On the artist/creative side, the biggest struggle I’ve had to face has been self-doubt and discipline. When you’re up and coming in any industry, you have to have thick skin because you’re constantly advertising your content and there are going to be plenty of people who don’t vibe with what you have to offer and that’s fine, ESPECIALLY if you have a unique sound and people don’t quite know where you fit yet. I’ve had to perform in front of ‘crowds’ of literally 3-5 people, dead silent crowds, and even audiences where you’re just the background noise to their event and no one cares to pay attention. Those moments can really make you doubt everything you’re doing but I feel like it’s made me so much stronger and even more confident in my music because I can truthfully say I’ve turned nonbelievers into believers and strangers into supporters. The discipline has also been another struggle for me because you need to have the work ethic to match the passion. Converting your passion into a job and a source of income is not an easy process and for a lot of independent artists, we’ve had to juggle jobs, schools, and family responsibilities on top of chasing a dream. So many factors can push you back and off your square whether it’s financially or emotionally so I’ve truly had to be intentional on prioritizing my craft in my life and It’s still a challenge.
On the business side, I would say trusting in your brand and finding a solid team. Understanding who you are as an artist, who your target audience is and what is the message you’re sending out in the world through your content is essential! Standing firm in your vision is tough because I’ve come across plenty of music ‘professionals’ who wanted to change my entire sound and appeal in ways I just knew I wasn’t comfortable with. It can be a true struggle especially when you’re trying to push your brand far. but you have to believe in yourself and bring people on board who also believe in you. I’ve had to build my team and burn it to the ground twice now through the years and those are hard losses that took months to recoup but I know my vision and I can’t have people that aren’t aligned in my camp.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an R&B Recording Artist, Songwriter and Creative Director for Visual Arts. I am most proud of being able to turn my love for making music into a tangible brand and ultimately a company. Having to wear so many hats within my own development and growth as an artist has made me fall in love with the process of building a vision from the ground up. Aside from creating my own music, I work with other artists as a writer and vocal producer, I design the graphics for all of my merchandise and also creative direct most of my music videos.
What sets me apart is my originality and versatility. Although my heart belongs to R&B, my pen stretches to any genre with having experience in gospel, hip-hop, and pop.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Atlanta is such a powerhouse city. The positive collaboration and entrepreneurial energy in ATL is what attracted me to plant my roots here. I love that the city is full of opportunities for creatives and there’s so many talented individuals not afraid to connect with other talent and build something great. Another major plus is the food, no matter what part of town I’m in, I can always find some good eats or a nice spot for my friends and I to enjoy.
I can’t lie the traffic in ATL has to be some of the worst I ever experienced and y’all low-key can’t drive. No matter what time of day I am on the highway somebody is on the side of the road in an accident, no joke.
Pricing:
- Vocal production services: $50/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: marethesingermusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.marethesingermusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marethesinger/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCviKULaS2SjUS0Z4Ce8ifAQ
Image Credits:
Jared Alexander Kris Anderson @legend_lifestyle
