Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mercy Collazo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mercy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Oh what a question to ask. I’ve learned so much when it comes to the word “Happy”. The thing about being an artist. You don’t plan it. You just are. Sometimes you wonder what things would be like if you would’ve went down a different path. I’ve tried many and I always come back to the very undependable creative whirlwind I call my artistic life. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. Right before the pandemic hit, I was getting ready to release an album. Then all of a sudden, the world shut down. I sat in my room with my laptop and my logic open. I kept writing and recording even though I had no idea how to really do it I kept going. I have a wonderful production team called Meter Mobb and they’ve always been my go tos. So here I was stuck in a cave off PCH wondering how I was going to continue this journey. But I did it because I had to. I had all these thoughts and feelings and knew that a regular job wouldn’t help me funnel these intense moments into my own personal masterpieces. Never the less, I did try to get a regular job and it was one of the most boring years of not really doing anything but working and trying to plan a future that I couldn’t really call mine. As an artist, you do it because you have to. You feel incomplete if you don’t. Dont get me wrong. I still hold part time jobs. But in the land of fake social media, I find that I am my most authentic, HAPPIEST, self when Im making music and performing. It feels like home and with everything going on in this world. I hope that I can be a story somebody reads about and feels inspired.

Mercy, 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 an artist/songwriter/singer from So Cal. I was a constant roamer due to my upbringing and developed an obsession for good music. It quickly linked me to songwriting at the early age of 16. I almost immediately went into the studio and thats how my story started. I think when it comes to music and anything in general, one of the biggest things I’ve utilized in my life (or at least have tried to) is living with intention. It’s something that’s been a blessing and also something that has occasionally gotten me into trouble in the past. That’s what honesty does. I taught myself guitar as a teenager after receiving one as a gift, and whether it was conscious or not; made the decision that this is what and who I was. I was fortunate enough to be signed to an entertainment label as soon as I started writing and learning how to play the guitar and then later to Too$hort for the run of two albums but, as most things do in this industry, these things fizzled. It’s devastating to have the belief you’re supported and then to let go — in all situations in life. That’s where a lot of my emotions and intentions lay. The intention to create, the intention to be honest, the intention to process difficult emotions, and hopefully the intention to make music that people can relate to and be entertained by. I’m most proud of being able to keep the ball rolling in some capacity because being creative in a competitive pool can be downright painful when you’re passionate. Especially when you don’t want to compete, just contribute something of value. I just think of all the artists and people in my life that have inspired me and honestly pulled me out of some dark or challenging spaces, and I want to be able to pay that forward. With that, I tell the audience about my story. My trials and tribulations if you will. I hope that you can relate, that my music can move you in some way through my words and the feelings I’m pouring onto paper. I have just released my single “Who’s Winning” and recently performed at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. Im preparing to release the full album in the beginning of the year. I hope you all enjoy!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think any artist who isn’t doing what is “Popular” is walking resilience :). I don’t listen to what everybody else listens to. I don’t want to put out anything that doesn’t move me. I’m not trying to write songs that are only going to make it on the radio for a small certain amount of time. I’ve chosen this path of making what MOVES ME and hope that my fans and future supporters will be inspired by it. As a songwriter/artist, we don’t make that much in the beginning period. Let me say the beginning period can last a LONG time. You have to be fed by something greater than the possibility of fame or even money. But just like anything, you have to LOVE what you do and boy oh boy. Music is my LOVE. That has given me all the fuel I’ll need. It keeps me fed. So resilience is part of this journey!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I grew up on so many different types of music. So many genres. I was inspired by so many different sounds and took a piece of each kind of music then proceeded to sprinkle it on my own music in every type of way. The happiness I get in playing to a crowd. The feeling I get when somebody says my music has touched them. The feedback to never change because my style is something you cant compare anybody else to. That is all the satisfaction I’ll need. I think all of our jobs in life are to constantly be curious. To find the things we excel at and better ourselves every day with them. To spread our joy and love from what we do to everything that surrounds us. Sure we have our bad days and I certainly write about that as well. The connection of it all. Music unifies. No matter what feeling is coming through it. We all can relate. The bad, the good, the pain, the confusion, the weirdness, the normalities, and all the in betweens. I love the feeling of the connection to it all. It’s a reward in itself.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mercycollazomusic?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: Lets just keep it to my instagram for now. (Redoing my website)