Today we’d like to introduce you to Lane Marie.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began taking piano lessons when I was in 2nd grade and actually hated it at first. Ha! I didn’t want to put in the time to practice and I thought I wanted to quit. Luckily, I grew up in an extremely encouraging household as both my parents were musicians and encouraged me to stick it out a little bit longer. What do you know – I loved it! I began taking voice lessons alongside piano at 12 years old studying classical and musical theatre. For most of my childhood, I was surrounded by all different genres: Classical, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, CCM, Country, etc. You name it, I had some sort of exposure to it and to this day I enjoy so many different genres. I continued to study music in college where I met my husband, Luke, who has been such an inspiration and encouraged to pursue my dreams of creating and recording music of my own. I also owe so much gratitude to the UGA Music Business Program. UGA MBUS not only taught me invaluable lessons on how the music industry works but also inspired me to write my own music. I love music because it expresses the human experience and emotions beyond borders. Two humans can be completely different and still be touched by the same composition. The best music is a sort of soul-language and that is the kind of music I hope to create and share with the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My musical dreams and endeavors came to a screeching halt my junior year of college when my father passed away. He was homeless, and therefore the circumstances of his passing were extremely traumatic for my family and me. Within the same week, my grandmother passed away and a few months later – my sweet uncle passed. Life came barreling through and I felt as if I was on a rollercoaster that I couldn’t get off. Studying music in college suddenly felt draining and discouraging instead of exciting and fresh. After a few years of counseling (it’s amazing. Just go.) and an incredibly encouraging community, I began writing music and finding so much healing through it. Right around the same time, I began writing music, a very special thing happened. Although my dad passed with nothing to his name, I was notified that he left a very small inheritance; enough to make a DIY EP with my incredibly talented friends and family. This event was extremely meaningful for me. Grief is something that never fully passes, and as time continues, you feel more and more distant from the one you lost. His last gift reminded me of the gift we shared in common: music. It’s something that we were always able to connect through. And so I set off to create my debut EP, gifts from my father. Although life isn’t easy and is often times very difficult; I have found the beauty in the mystery, the joy beyond the pain, and the little gifts that keep you holding on.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lane Marie story. Tell us more about the business.
My music is currently a mixture of indie rock, synth pop. As mentioned earlier, I enjoy so many different genres and I pull that inspiration into my songs. My debut EP expresses the process of grieving while finding hope and truth. My single, time, is about wrestling with the idea of grief in correlation to each passing day. Days go by and we still feel heartache as it seems we get further and further from our loved ones, but there is hope at the end of it all.
For a long time, I was trying to create music that I thought people wanted to hear — and the result of that was inauthentic and bland. I think the problem with some artists (myself included) is that we are trying to create art, music, or even a brand that we think other people will like and accept — and in the end, we are all missing out. Music and art are the most beautiful when it’s an authentic representation of the human experience — not a generated formula. I think that’s what sets my music apart — especially my upcoming EP. I stopped trying to create fabricated music and just started expressing my emotions and experiences into a tangible form.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t think luck has played into where I am now as much as provision has. Seeds have been planted and sown in order to place me where I am today. I think it’s important to pursue your dreams and goals with as much patience and steadfastness as possible. Put in the hard work and then (most of the time) you wait for the harvest. You will reap what you sow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: lane_marie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lanemariemusic/
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
