Meet Mahogany Marie of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mahogany Marie.

Hi Mahogany, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Music has always been my first language. I was born and raised in Chicago, where I discovered a love for writing at eight years old through poetry. By eleven, I had written my first song, and after my teacher encouraged me to enter a school talent show, I won first place. Not long after, during a sixth-grade field trip to the House of Blues, my classmates convinced me to sing “Sweet Home Chicago.” Looking back, that was the moment I realized music wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was what I was meant to do.

From there, I immersed myself in every opportunity I could find. I performed with the all-girl group Je’monet, starred in musical theater productions like The Wiz and The Taming of the Shrew, and had the incredible privilege of working with the legendary Oscar Brown Jr. during the later years of his career. Every experience taught me something different, but they all reinforced one thing: authentic storytelling is what connects people.

I’ve always believed you don’t have to choose between your passions. By the age of 25, I had earned both my MBA and my Master of Science in Real Estate, and today I work in the financial industry. Music and finance may seem like two different worlds, but to me they’re surprisingly similar. Both require creativity, discipline, resilience, and a long-term vision. They’ve shaped who I am just as much as one another.

In 2017, I co-founded what was then known as Mahogany Marie and the 11th Hour alongside guitarist Brett Sennett and bassist Mark Faupel. We later welcomed Brazilian drummer Marcelo Mesquite, and together we began building a band that refused to fit neatly into one genre. In 2019, music entrepreneur Jerry Freeman encouraged us to begin work on our first full-length album with Grammy-winning producer Martin Kearns. It was an exciting chapter that reaffirmed our belief in creating music that was authentic instead of chasing trends.

As we’ve grown, so has our vision. Today, that vision lives on as The Band Mélange. The name “Mélange” means “a mix,” and that’s exactly what we strive to create—a blend of pop, rock, soul, R&B, country, and other influences that come together through honest songwriting and memorable melodies. Alongside my husband and vocalist Terence Hargro, founding guitarist Brett Sennett, founding bassist Mark Faupel, and drummer Marcelo Mesquite, we’ve continued evolving while staying true to the same mission we’ve had from the beginning: make music that connects with people.

Our recent releases, including Paper Airplane, Weird, Risk It All, Running to You, Life, My Tribe, Giddy Up, GLBG, and I Hope It Hurts, each tell a different story, but they all come from the same place—real life. We don’t write songs because they fit a genre; we write songs because they have something honest to say.

If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that success isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold. Whether in music, business, or life, I’ve always believed that if it’s a risk being yourself, then that’s a risk worth taking. My hope is that our music reminds people to embrace who they are, chase what they love, and never let anyone convince them that they have to choose between their passions and their purpose.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any meaningful journey is ever a completely smooth road, and ours certainly hasn’t been. Like most independent artists, we’ve experienced the highs of incredible opportunities and the lows of wondering what’s next.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating today’s music industry as an independent band. Years ago, artists primarily needed a record deal to reach people. Today, we have the freedom to create and release music on our own, which is an incredible gift—but it also means we’re competing with millions of artists for people’s attention every single day. Making great music is only half the battle. Building genuine relationships with listeners and earning their trust is just as important.

We’ve also learned that success rarely happens overnight. Every lineup change, every setback, every song that didn’t perform the way we hoped, and every obstacle taught us something that made us better. Looking back, I don’t really see failures anymore—I see lessons. Those experiences shaped our music, strengthened our team, and reminded us why we started creating in the first place.

On a personal level, I’ve had to overcome self-doubt. Growing up, I struggled with confidence and spent too much time worrying about fitting in. Over the years, I realized that the very things that make us different are often what make us memorable. That realization changed not only how I approached music, but how I approached life.

One thing I’m especially proud of is that I’ve never let anyone tell me I had to choose just one path. While continuing to pursue music, I earned two master’s degrees and built a career in the financial industry. Those experiences taught me discipline, resilience, and patience—qualities that have helped me just as much on stage as they have in the workplace.

Through it all, our mission has never changed. We want to create honest music that connects with people. If our journey proves anything, it’s that success isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about continuing to move forward, staying true to yourself, and believing in your vision even when the road gets difficult.

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’d lean into both your identity as an artist and as a finance professional, since that’s a unique part of your story.

At my core, I’m a storyteller. Whether I’m writing songs, performing on stage, or working in the financial industry, my passion has always been helping people connect—with music, with ideas, and ultimately with themselves.

As the lead vocalist, songwriter, and co-founder of The Band Mélange, I specialize in writing music that blends genres and emotions. The name Mélange means “a mix,” and that’s exactly what defines us. Our music combines elements of pop, rock, soul, R&B, country, and other influences without feeling confined to any one style. We believe the song should always come before the genre.

Our current project reflects that philosophy. Songs like Paper Airplane, Weird, Risk It All, Running to You, Life, My Tribe, Giddy Up, GLBG, and I Hope It Hurts all have their own personality, but they’re connected by honest storytelling and the belief that music should make people feel something. Alongside me are an incredibly talented group of musicians—Terence Hargro, Brett Sennett, Mark Faupel, and Marcelo Mesquite—each bringing a unique musical background that helps create the sound that is The Band Mélange.

Outside of music, I currently work in the financial industry, another field I’m deeply passionate about. I earned both my MBA and my Master of Science in Real Estate by the age of 25, and I’ve built a career helping people navigate important financial decisions. To me, finance and music aren’t opposites—they’re complementary. One challenges my analytical mind, while the other fuels my creativity.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any one performance or accomplishment—it’s staying true to who I am. I’ve never wanted to chase trends or become someone else just to fit into an industry. Whether it’s music or my professional career, I’ve always believed authenticity is a strength, not a weakness.

I think what sets me apart is that I don’t believe people have to fit into one box. I’m equally passionate about songwriting and spreadsheets, about performing on stage and building a professional career. Those experiences have made me a better artist, a better leader, and a better person. If our music inspires someone to embrace who they are and pursue every passion that matters to them, then we’ve accomplished exactly what we set out to do.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve learned that luck may open a door, but preparation, perseverance, and consistency are what keep it open. We’ve been fortunate to meet incredible mentors and collaborators along the way, but we’ve also faced setbacks that ultimately made us stronger. I don’t see good or bad luck as defining our journey—I see every opportunity and every challenge as a chance to grow. In the end, hard work and staying true to our vision have made the biggest difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.thebandmelange.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bandmelange
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bandmelange
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bandmelange
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bandmelange