Meet Marian Simmons | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marian Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marian, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking can be daunting, yet somewhat necessary if you want to live a life of purpose and meaning. I think it takes a sense of self and a desire that drives you toward an experience more than a a definitive outcome. Following your intuition married with instincts to guide you along the way. Most artists live in a state of uncertainty and you have to be able to face it to take a risk.

I have taken many risks even when I felt unsure of a definite outcome because I new with every cell of my being I was meant to go in a particular direction. I have left security of jobs or relationships even when it appeared to others that I was stepping out on a limb. I also have hit brick walls or had unexpected catastrophes to navigate so it isn’t always successful. That being said, every risk you take will make you that much more confident the next time around. Healthy risk involves weighing out the possible positive and negative outcomes and then deciding if it is worth it to you. This is where a sense of self is important and a realistic self inventory of your capabilities.

If you have any level of trauma then the risk is going to be relative to your own experience. Just going to the grocery store or to a doctors appointment can escalate a level of anxiety that needs to be navigated. Take small steps first and build from there so you are not throwing yourself into a tail spin! Be gentle with yourself, but also willing to challenge your self limiting beliefs. Most of the time any limitations we have are only in our minds.

It definitely felt risky for me to start over and begin a new career as a singer/songwriter when I really didn’t feel like I had a set plan. It was a bit of a risk to present myself on social media and to my community when I was coming out of a really difficult time in my life. In the end it felt freeing to take the steps toward a passion I had felt my whole life. I know it is a very competitive industry, yet I have to do it! I am compelled so I feel like it overshadows any fear of what may or may not happen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer and songwriter of melodic and mystical rock music. I started writing when I was a teenager and later decided to turn my poetry and writings into songs. I am really proud that I never gave up! Even when I was working in other fields I always had a vision of myself singing and creating music hanging around inside my heart and mind. I took guitar lessons, voice lessons and dance instruction as well as studied to be a massage therapist which earned me a living until I had a career ending injury.

The opportunity to take a sync licensing course came up in January of 2020. I jumped on it and the ball just started rolling. With the help of my creative partner, Philip Truitt and a media and marketing coach, Anji at Kaizen Studios, I now have a website, 4 songs released and 3 videos published with the 4th one due out next week! It may not seem like a lot to some, but for me it has been a huge accomplishment!

I worked on music with other artists that never came to the light of day but showed me my capabilities and were excellent learning opportunities. I have had to overcome my own lack of self worth and self esteem as many of us do. I also had multiple traumas in my life that culminated in me basically having a breakdown. It took a few years for me to regroup and heal to a level of being able to function again. I have had to learn to quiet the negative voices both figuratively and literally! I have done a lot of inner work to improve myself and my life. I follow a spiritual path and practice energy healing which is a remnant of my previous incarnation as a licensed massage therapist. There are many practices that I have adopted along the way to keep my in a positive manifestation mindset.

It is the love of the art that drives me! The words that come flooding through me onto the paper and the melodies that are born from the ethers are my motivation. I hope that when people hear my songs they are taken on a journey to another world or feel the urge to dance and sing along. Mine is a story of triumph after great trials and I hope it gives encouragement to someone who may need it to keep going and to follow your muse!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well first off, I live on Westpoint Lake so a walk through the woods to the dock and just hanging out in my favorite spot to catch up! For dinner we would have to go to Taco Express here in LaGrange then to a show at Pure Life House of Music. There is always the Oyster House in Warm Springs for a fish sandwich and fries and then a walk around the town to some of the antique stores. Another great place is the The Sweet Roast Cafe for a fresh pastry and then off to browse Bradleys Antiques and Ye Old Red Door Antiques on the square. If they are up for a massage then we would visit Refresh Massage for a thoroughly awesome treatment! If Baba Sol is holding any drum circles or herb walks we would have to attend in the Atlanta area. Maybe a hike along the Chatahoochee and a meal at Jasmine Thai on the way home. After all that we will need to rest and then maybe I’ll make waffles and fruit for breakfast!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to thank Philip Truitt for being my creative partner and Anji of Kaizen Studio for guiding me through the media and marketing maze of being an artist! Both have been the pillars of strength and inspiration I needed to get to where I am today. Also, Donn Halliburton of On Fire Productions in Albuquerque for helping me to record my first songs!

Website: https://mariansimmonsmusic.com/home

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mariansimmonsmusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariansmusicfae

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariansimmonsmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqC9LVrgNHx1mouzQiArumg

Image Credits
Philip Truitt