We recently connected with Mars Togaia and have shared our conversation below.
Mars, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I first knew I wanted to pursue music professionally when I was 17. Before then I always knew I had a deep love for music and dreamed of making it my life, but I didn’t think I was allowed to make it a reality. My parents are Caribbean immigrants and anyone who is a first-gen knows the pressure your parents put on you to choose a career path that is guaranteed to be lucrative and that will make them and the family proud. I understand my parents, they mean well and it’s all out of love and concern. Senior year of high school when I was really faced with the question “What college am I going to go to?” was when I really sat down with myself and asked myself what I truly wanted to do with my future. Not what did my family want me to do, but really me. I had been receiving love and encouragement for my music at the time, and it helped me solidify what I already knew in my heart. I decided to go for it.
Mars, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter and musical artist from Atlanta, Georgia and I go by Mars Togaia. I make music that has sounds of alternative/indie R&B, bedroom pop, and etherealness. My goal with music is to promote self-expression, authenticity, connection, and self & collective healing in myself and everyone who listens, especially QBIPOC. I see how impactful music is to society, how it shapes us and colors peoples lives everyday, so I view my music as my main way I want to contribute to the well-being of society. I released my first single, Metanoia, last year in 2021, and plan to release more music close to the end of 2022, and forever after that. I got into music on my own as a child and always self-identified as an artist. For as long as I remember I have been constantly writing songs, singing, and performing in some way. For myself, for school, friends, family, churches, singing competitions and opportunities, open mics, whoever would hold space for me. I went to college at Georgia State University and got to connect with so many incredible artists. Any holes in my self-belief of making it happen were mended by meeting them and supporting each other. Being around like-minded people, community, is so important. I think what separates me as an artist is my desire to take people away from the norms and envision a better reality for themselves and everyone. A reality of ease, peace, true and deep Being, and liberation from oppressive beliefs and systems. Healthier ways of relating to others, yourself, and the Earth. The collective consciousness influences how we all operate, and the more people start dreaming of a better reality, I think the more likely we can make it happen. Every great impact we made as a society was once an idea held by few. I also want to inspire people to tap into our innate love of, and connection with, nature. With the state of our planet, we can all learn to love the Earth better and rekindle our roots. Being an artist has been quite the journey, and I think I am most proud of my perseverance and faith in the process. It’s incredibly beautiful and inherently spiritual.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The connection aspect. Connecting with other creatives, connecting with people who resonate with my art, and connecting deeper with myself through creating. There are so many beautiful creatives who have made a mark on me in ways beyond creativity that I’m not sure I would have met if I didn’t take this path. Whenever I talk to people who express love and gratitude for my music or poetry, there’s no greater feeling to me, and I am so grateful to have impacted someone and grateful that I could be there for them in any way through my art. Lastly, every time I create a new piece, it’s like unraveling a new part of me and I learn so much about myself. It’s like a mirror for me to see who I really am, the me that is perpetual and the me that is always changing, evolving, and growing. That deep connection I gain from creating art allows me to love myself for all I am, and in turn helps me to love others better.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I think I make music from a really nurturing place. I’m creating a world that encourages introspection and allows people the space to explore the depths of themselves, their feelings, their spirits, the depths of others they’re in relationship with, and the depths of this reality we live in, collectively and individually. A world for those with big hearts and big minds, those who as little kids probably asked why too much because they always wanted to know more, cried a lot, and had a lot of imaginary friends. I want people to know they’re okay, they can take it easy and know that their best days are yet to come. The best love is to come, their successes are soon to come. I want people to feel seen, understood, and liberated. I want people to take deep breaths, soften, and see the world with more detail and color.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marstogaia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc6_NFvbUmQl4f70Yk7KI9w
- Other: My Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dNE6iWNQtc1Z8DDAtU8yQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mars-togaia/1561901577
Image Credits
@yuelshots on Instagram