We recently connected with Mare and have shared our conversation below.
Mare, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
In September 2019, I realized that being a music teacher was something that I was good at, however, it wasn’t my passion. I made a huge decision to quit my 4-year job and pursue a full time Music career. I had no money saved and I had no official plan! I just knew that I wanted to do what I loved and saw myself doing ever since I was a child. I followed the signs God gave me, like leaving the school only if my principal ever decided to quit. Guess what?…….she quit unexpectedly. Also, the sign of my gut feeling saying that it was time to create my own path! Once I successfully handed in my resignation, we entered into a global pandemic months later in 2020. Instead of going into a panic and ultimately wondering if I made the right decision, I was able to focus in on goal setting and an official plan for my music career. Throughout the pandemic, I never lacked financially and gained more opportunities than I ever had before. In a 2 year time span, I was able to release an EP and 2 music videos, buy my first car, land a piano bar gig, get my first placement on a television show, and sing behind R&B artist, Ari Lennox on Jimmy Kimmel and Coachella, just to name a few.
Mare, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Mare. I am an R&B artist, songwriter, and keyboardist from Philadelphia. I’ve been musically active since the age of 3 and decided to become an artist at age 19. I come from a very musical background with a family full of singers and musicians. I furthered my musicianship at Eastern university, obtaining a degree in Music. Being in the Philly scene has introduced me into the culture of live performing and studio work, which has shaped my love and hunger for being an artist. One thing people ask me when they hear me sing is, “How did that huge voice come out of that small body?” I think this statement always sets me apart because I’m able to deliver something that is not normally seen or heard. It’s true that small things come in very large packages. I am most proud of my determination and work ethic. I’ve been able to stay consistent and still chase my dreams, through opposition and challenges. I also am transparent and honest about the side effects of life and how hard things can be on every one of us. Women, in particular, have to overcome hurdles and boundaries in the music industry that can be discouraging and unfair. I’m determined to continue to share my story and touch hearts across the world with my voice. I have an Ep that’s available on all digital platforms, entitled, “Wish Me Well”.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
In any and every walk of life, there will be challenges, people that hurt you, and things that will make you angry. I thought that putting on a touch skin was the final answer, especially being an Artist. I believed that blocking out the world and showing how I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of anymore, was the solution. While putting on touch skin is important at times, I had to learn that it’s okay to still be reachable and soft to the world. I had to learn that it’s okay to release control over what people think of you. It’s important to stay true to what makes you who you are and not let people or situations change that.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
One thing that drives my creative journey is that before I sing a song, or create any lyric, or play any melody to an audience, what I’m doing has to speak to me first before it does the listener. There have been many times that I have experienced difficult situations, but my passion was able to lift my spirit or drive to keep going. If you’re doing something that doesn’t push that button for you, then that’s not your journey or passion! If what I’m doing helps me, then I know that I can get through to the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Inmaryland
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/user/MareFloydMusic