Check our interview with talented Nashville folk-pop, indie-rock artist Mary Moore.
With powerhouse vocals and storytelling lyrics, she has been captivating stages and connecting to people from all walks of life. Mary’s vocals are comparable to the power of Brandi Carlile and Florence + the Machine, but also with the sweet, quirkiness of Regina Spektor. In November 2018, Mary released her single “Hesitant Kiss”, and the song has reached 25K+ streams. Mary has been featured on NPR, WNRN radio, Lightning 100, and BMR Radio.
In addition to singing, Mary plays guitar, piano, trumpet, and French horn. After graduating college, Mary relocated to Nashville in 2017 to pursue being an artist.
Hi Mary, please tell us a little about you?
I am a folk-pop artist in Nashville, TN. I grew up in Richmond, Virginia and I have been obsessed with music and performing my entire life. I grew up playing French horn, piano, dancing, and singing. I found songwriting at 10 years old, and my love of creating blossomed from that point. I moved to Nashville in 2017 to pursue being an artist. I picked up the guitar and hit the open mic scene, which transitioned into the writer round scene, and now I am starting to play more with a band.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Earthy, Wild, and Kind
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My parents. They taught me hard work out beats smarts and talent any day. They taught me about caring about the small details and never being lazy.
How did you get started in the business?
I am pretty new to the Music Business scene as an artist! I played in a classic rock cover band from age 14-18, but I didn’t release my first single as an artist until June 2018. Moving to Nashville really helped me get into the scene because there are so many experienced artist in town who helped me become an artist and give me tips on how to get my songs out there.
Did you go to music school?
Nope!
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Earthy, Wild, and Warm.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I was really influenced by classic rock music because how it made me feel. Classic rock music always makes me feel larger than life, and I think it’s so cool that a sound and song can make you feel that way. I wanted to write music that took people to a different place
Do you ever get nervous?
Yes! I get really nervous when I step into a place where I don’t feel like an authority. At gigs now, I am getting pretty confident about sounding good, but when I talk to someone I have a lot of respect for musically, I can get pretty nervous.
What is your next goal as a musician?
My goal is to be touring regularly and recording consistently!
Do you have a tour coming up or where we can see you performing?
I am currently planning a tour in August and September at house shows and some festivals! I have some east coast cities booked, and I am working on booking some west coast shows!
Now tell us about your latest single “Map My Body?”
Map My Body is Mary’s single off her debut EP “Rooted Heart”, coming out in July. The song is a folk-pop jam that is directed to a new lover and the song compares oneself to an unconquered country. The song is drum heavy with a groove that will make you want to dance around a fire under the stars. The song is filled with imagery of beautiful, wild landscapes, and Mary’s vocals will soothe and excite you all at the same time.
Map My Body was inspired by a night shared with another person, and the lyrics were driven by my love of nature. I think there is something so beautiful about the unknown and uncharted, and when you first begin to explore another person, you sometimes find things out about them, and they find things out about you, that no one has ever seen before. I was first just writing lyrics about the night, and then stumbled upon the hook of the song “Come Map My Body Out”, and then I started thinking about how beautiful maps and cartography are. I’ve always been obsessed with forest, trees, mountains, and all ourdoor lands and I wanted to write a song that made you wanna be outside dancing!
Map My Body was written by Mary Moore. Map My Body was co-produced by Mary Moore, Collin Pastore, and Jake Finch. Map My Body was mixed by Collin Pastore and Jake Finch. Recording Artist: Austin Webb (Electric Guitar), Andrew Brown (Bass), Jake Finch (Drums, Keys, Acoustic Guitar), and Mary Moore (Lead Vocal, BGVs).
And now about your new EP “Rooted Heart?”
In July 2019, Mary is releasing “Rooted Heart”, her first EP as an artist. The EP has four tracks – “Map My Body”, “Reaching in the Dark”, “Burn (Interlude)”, and “Redwoods”. The EP’s lyrics all have a theme in the natural world, and the songs are earthy, groovy, big, and inspirational. Mary hopes these songs don’t just give people comfort, but gives people the freedom to flourish in the messy and the darkness.
What inspires you to create new music?
Musically, I get a lot of inspiration from Florence + the Machine, Brandi Carlile, and Jospeh (The Band Joseph). I love all of these artist because they have powerhouse vocals, dramatic lyrics, and songs that make me wanna dance around outside, while also addressing meaningful concepts.
I also pull a lot of inspiration from our natural world. So many of my favorite lyrics I’ve written are about the earth, trees, rivers, sky, rocks, etc. etc. I just think there is nothing more stunning than nature, and so I love painting pictures of the natural world so people can be pulled into the song and feel like they are actually living in a moment in the outdoors. Like classic rock music for me, I want to take people to a place that makes them feel bigger than life- and I feel like words about nature can take people there.
Last, and the most common, a lot of my inspiration comes from moments and quick thoughts. Usually I will just be walking around, or driving somewhere kind of mindlessly thinking, and out of nowhere lyrics with a melody just bubble up. Usually that initial thought is coupled by an existential crisis I have been thinking about for a week, or from a bigger moment in my life, but the song is typically started by my brain just smacking me in the face with an idea, and then I am feverishly trying to capture the moment and feeling authentically, and using that initial idea as a compass.
Where can we see you playing next?
I am playing a full band show July 30th in Nashville TN at the Basement.
What we can expect of Mary Moore in 2019?
I am releasing my EP In July! And I am creating music videos to be released too! You will also see me touring more and booking shows in new cities!!
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
I love belting out Hold Up by Beyonce! Loveeee that song.
Name one your strengths?
I am people person, and a good listener! I love meeting new people and hearing their stories and I think it has really helped me create and foster some amazing friendships.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness is calmness. Feeling secure and at ease.
Any loves other than music?
I am really passionate about environmental sustainability. I love talking about green eating, recycling, and all that jazz!!
Any exiting news you want to share with us?
I am just super excited about my EP release and tour after the release!!!
How’s a typical day in your life?
I wake up around 7-7:30 and go to my job at a wonderful software company, where I am data operations analyst! I get off work around 5-5:30 and then head to a co-write, a friends gig, or a show of my own!
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
A perfect Sunday would start with a restful night’s sleep, and then I would wake up and go hiking! I’d then grab and ice coffee and cook some lunch! After lunch I would pick up the guitar and write/practice for an hour or two. Then I would meet up with some friends for a laid-back dinner out to eat, and we would talk and laugh! Maybe I’d end the night with some work to prep for the week or watching some Television with my roomies 🙂
What is your favorite healthy food?
I am obsessed with the noodles that are made from not wheat, like made from spinach and lentils and stuff and they are SUPER high in protein. I eat it probably 7 times a week now haha.
And your favorite cheat food?
I love ice cream so much.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
If they said something rude that obviously was stemming from insecurity. I love teasing and joking around, but when people wanna knock you down a peg because they feel bad about themselves…? I don’t need that in my life.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I’d love to meet Brandi Carlile. She is such an inspiration to me, and she seems so enthusiastic, humble, and wise. I would want to just hear about what she is thinking about right now.
Do you support any charities?
I support St. Baldricks Foundation! They are a Childhood cancer research charity! My dad shaves his head every year and raises money for them!
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself on album two, and playing consistent shows!
How would you describe your fashion style?
My style when I try is very boho! When I don’t try I look like a hot mess who rolled out of bed five minutes ago, and that is most days I don’t have work hahaha.
What do you think of Social Media?
I enjoy social media as an artist, but I don’t loveee it as a person. I think as an artist it’s really fun to be creative with what you post, and it’s interesting way to connect with fans. It’s also helpful as an artist because you see what other artist are doing through there social media and then you can reach out to those gigs, new outlets, etc. and attempt to grab that opportunity too.
As a person, I think social media is cool, but I don’t love that it creates a false image of perfect all the time. It can also let friends be lazy with each other. Sometimes I don’t feel the need to call a friend up and ask how they have been because I see what they are posting online, and I feel falsely connected to them.
Where we can follow you?
Insta: @mary_moore_music
Facebook: /marymooremusic
Youtube
Twitter: @MaryMooreMusic
Quote: “A soft women is simply a wolf caught in meditation” – Pavana
Song: Truth Hurts by Lizzo
Movie: Role Models!
Travel Destination: India
Sports Team: Anything sport by the University of Virginia
Photo Credit: Brooke Greenberg Photography
