Meet Mary Martin | Musician

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

Hi Mary, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from a town called Newnan, about 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta. Newnan is now a bit bigger and more well-known, but growing up, it was a small town filled with old money, and my family was new to the town. I was a homeschooled only child, and was naturally the outcast in most social settings, with other kids my age. Because of this, I dove into my creative works. I learned to play piano and read sheet music at the age of three, and adored anything to do with singing, writing, playing piano, or just pretending that I was on stage! As I grew older, my parents’ encouragement grew with me. When I picked up an electric guitar as a teen, I never looked back. I will always be so thankful for those formative, young years of being the outcast, that forced me into spending time with my music and honing my creativity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In reference to what sets me apart, I have a complete DIY-er mindset that in some ways hinders me, and in other ways helps me! Almost all of my music is recorded, produced, and engineered by me. Every new project is an experience to learn and challenge myself, and by maintaining complete control, I have to find ways to make the sounds I desire, create the image I want, and release music only when I feel like it’s finished.

Getting to where I am today professionally has taken plenty of balance, patience, and of course, belief of others who have helped me along the way. During my music career, I have maintained a full time job, and that in itself can turn into a tricky balance with bookings and time to sit down and work on music. Music has always been organic to me, and having to set aside time for it can be a double edged sword. I’m very thankful for everything that’s fallen into place with the time I have been able to dedicate to my music.

I’ve learned so many lessons through music. Firstly, it has become the most effective way to decompress and express myself. If I have a hard time understanding how I feel or what I want, I know it will come out through my music. Secondly, you have to be self-motivated. No one will look out for you and your best interest like you will! I have met so many incredible people along the way who have shared so much support and kindness, but music and artistry takes constant self-intrinsic motivation.

My story is simple – I am a self-made musician with a true passion for what I do, and I hope to convey that through my music. I want my writing to be vague enough that everyone can relate to it, specific enough to have statements that truly resonate with the listener, and a passionate delivery to let you know that whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone. I cannot wait to dive into my future works and deliver even more honesty and vulnerability.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend was visiting for a week – first of all, I would tell them to stay at Serenbe in Palmetto! It’s a great little community with something fun always happening, and tons of coffee shops, restaurants, and places to grab a drink within walking distance of the lodging. Plus, it’s midway between Newnan and Atlanta! My best friend couldn’t stay here without having a Newnan night. The downtown square is full of rich local history, and spots to have a great time. We would have to have dinner at the Cellar, go to open mic at RPM, and finish the evening with a whiskey at the Alamo. We would have to visit my favorite brewery, Line Creek Brewery, in Peachtree City, and hopefully even catch the market day, full of local venders and creators from the community! All spots to visit would likely be based on where we could go for a good drink, good conversation, and great live music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible support system – my parents, Mike and Suzanne. Ever since they noticed my natural pull towards music, they did nothing but encourage my creativity. Often times, that looked like driving me to and from piano lessons, making sure that my instruments were up to par, or just letting me have quiet time by myself so I could write. I know that this set me up for success in my life, because I grew up always knowing the value of my music, and that it should be high on my list of priorities. They always made me feel like being a professional musician was a completely achievable goal, and that mindset has always stuck with me. Their abundance of love and encouragement has always been the best motivator of my success; in music, and elsewhere.

Website: www.marymartinmusic.com

Instagram: @colormemary

Facebook: www.facebook.com/maryclairemartin

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpZIBSWZmVVEjCe8bCHHNOA