Mar1aSol’s introduction to R&B and soul music came while her father would taker her to school. Her dad, a funk musician, would play the music of Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton and other R&B legends in the car. He augmented that audio education by explaining the music and what it meant to him.
Interview conducted April 15, 2021
By Dan Locke
Mar1aSol’s introduction to R&B and soul music came while her father would take her to school. Her dad, a funk musician, would play the music of Michael Jackson, Toni Braxton and other R&B legends in the car. He augmented that audio education by explaining the music and what it meant to him. The singer learned more when she found his record collection and start playing the songs on her own.
You are from Argentina. What is your upbringing?
-I’m coming from a family of musicians. My dad is a bass player and my mom is a singer, they always showed me music, especially r&b/soul/funk/melodic since I was a child, then I decided to search for more artists on my own and I discovered a new world from contemporary r&b and trap soul which was my inspiration since day 1.
How did you discover music?
-I discovered from my parents from the beginning but then I started to realized I was more into modern music and the fusion of old genres with the new ones and started to search for 90s r&b and the first record I remember I heard was Aaliyah’s debut album which I got it on my skin tattooed because it means a lot to me.
How did you start singing?
-I was really shy when I was a child, I barely spoke to anyone but when I was 15, I was chilling with my best friend and she heard me singing and she told me I needed to take that out to the world. I started recording covers on social media and it got me thinking about a serious singing career but I wasn’t emotionally prepared yet so I waited till I was 21
How did you start to write music?
-At 18,19 I met my first love (I’ve been in love multiple times but it was really different this time), and something about being vulnerable and feeling really attracted to somebody made me feel I had to express it through songs. I had all those songs hidden until I decided it was my time to express my whole idea of what love is, which is my first EP that I dropped in 2018
Describe your music.
-It’s my point of view of life, my way to express that we can make art through bad and good situations
What was your first performance at like?
-My first performance ever was when I was 15, I sold tickets and all and it was really stressful! haha, but I remember it as a really good experience. I found myself on the stage and felt like this was all what I wanted in life.
What did you mean- my luv is wider, wider than Victoria Lake
my luv is taller, taller than the empire state
it dives, it jumps and it ripples like the deepest ocean
I can’t give u more than that, surely u want me back?
-That is a Sade’s song that I can’t get tired of listening!
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
-Yes, I use BMI and ASCAP.
What makes a good songwriter?
-I don’t consider myself a good songwriter but I study a lot of ways to express what I’m going through the best way possible.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
-My first proffesional song was ”Till it’s over” which is part of my first EP.
Your husband is your musical collaborator. How did you start working with him?
-He really supported me from the beginning but I never spoke about making a project with him before a year of relationship, he gave me the idea of working together and I felt really comfortable as an artist and as his wife so I decided to keep going and keep working with him on a future project. Our idea was never exposing the relationship but then we decided to make it public so we can really be ourselves.
What is the process of writing your music?
-I take bad things and turn them into positive songs or even if they’re sad song, into art. I think I write better songs when I’m sad or mad, and actually wrote a lot of happy songs in that situation too.
How was it to work with Ginga Soul?
-It was really great! She’s super talented and she made me feel really connected to her voice and spirit. I’m really proud of the people who I’ve worked with.
Tell me about your single “Waterfall”?
-My single Waterfalls is about what do you feel when you’re really close to someone and feel a deep connection emotionally and sexually. Sometimes you feel so attached to a person that you enjoy every moment with him/her.
Tell me about the album?
-I’m working on new music right now, that I’m not sure it’ll be included in an album like Beats and donuts or EP like Luvsteps. I decided to let my feelings go and be free and express myself without thinking about a whole project because I’ve been through a lot in terms of growth. My team supports me a lot on this decision so I really appreciate it.
What is your favorite track on your album?
-Talking about Beats and Donuts, I’d say Right now and Do you love me. And talking about these singles, Waterfalls and Ladies are definitely my favourites.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
-I think it’s really awesome to be able to share my music worldwide. Having the opportunity to connect to people from all over the world changed my life. Even this interview is part of what technology can bring you and it’s so special to me.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
-I think some people do and some people don’t, it depends. But I personally use #
Digital vs. vinyl?
-Digital
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
-I’m thinking right now about ‘Who can I run to’ by Escape and it reminds me of when I was working on a ‘normal’ job as a junior assistant, wanting to be a singer and live an artist life. So, it reminds me of the most difficult time of my life but I love the song.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
-It’s a really good question. I think it affects it all, not only the artist but a lot of people lost their jobs and opportunities, it’s a really sad situation but as a songwriter, I try to make my part and make art so people can connect through art and sometimes feel happier and more positive about life in this moment.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
-Personally, I wrote some songs and learned a little bit of piano and guitar, never had the time to do it so I’m proud of taking my time to be focused on some things I thought I’d never been capable of learning.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
-Try to do some workouts and eat healthier but honestly, I’m not a fan of exercise haha
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
-Maybe I discovered my love for books, like learning instrumentals, never had the time or took the time to appreciate those things but I read more books than ever.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
-I think that having the rights of your songs is important but this is actually a special moment for artists (looking for more jobs) and these terms doesn’t really help us.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
-I got a lot of social media friends that didn’t see me live but we’re really connected and talk about my music a lot, so there are still people that care about the independent artist if they like their music and it’s something that keeps us moving.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
-It happens a lot still, sadly. But sometimes, as an artist, you have to choose your ways and your own rules, especially as an independent one, so not all the artists are paying to play, but it definitely happens.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
-That would be so amazing! I think it’ll be part of the plan if this continues as the new normality
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
-I think the government has certain type of obligation with people, somehow, they should support creators and music venues because art is a main part of culture in society nowadays.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artists? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
-I didn’t and I will! I just wanted to let you know that this part of the interview is really special to me and not all people talk about artists struggles even before COVID- 19 so I appreciate this space of knowledge.
In the past, if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice-over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
-When I was a kid, my main dream was to be a professional artistic roller skate, always loved it. But then I realized it’s a really competitive environment (as the music industry too) but music was always part of my life and decided to be 100% focused on something that gave me so much joy and happiness.
What is your happy place?
-My house, my dogs, my family, and music. However, on my mind, my happy place is my childhood which was really a happy moment of my life, really innocent and peaceful place.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
-It depends of the situation but I’d consider it if it’s necessary.
As of Feb. 2021, the song US had reach over 600 views on Spotify.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
What do you think what that could mean to the independent artist?
-Streaming is the main source which musicians use for a living in the present and having new music from new artists is always a positive thing, and I think music heals the soul of people so I’m really happy to know there’s more music and more artist in the world every day. My personal streams are growing a lot and I just can’t believe it’s real, every day is a blessing to me and I can’t thank enough to all the people that listens to my music and appreciate it!
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
-Yes, definitely haha. I use tiktok with my music a lot and it helped me to meet new people that discovered my music through that platform.
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21. Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to following the lead of Live Nation: UK. If this happen and live concert start happening this summer would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions would you like to have in place?
-In my case, I live in Argentina and I see the country really far from opening gigs places so I think I’ll have to wait or make my gigs on streaming, but if I get the chance to travel to USA and this re-opening process is happening there, I’d be really careful and make decisions that are convenient for me and for the public, would never put people on danger.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life with Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration in Louisville, KY
Welcome to Rockville Expands To 4 Days in Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set for October 7-10 in Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
-I wouldn’t do it if there’s not a strong protocol measurement but I think there’s a lot of artists that need to play right now so I get that if it happens.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
-Thank you so much for this space you guys gave me to show my music and express my feelings. I’m really happy to be posted in your magazine and I’d like to give a shout out to all the independent women who work hard every day and make a huge impact with their skills. I’m proud to be a woman, and an Argentinian that always dreamed to be the person I am now, even if there was a lot of limits to being a woman. So, to all the ladies out there (and ofc men too!!) BE YOURSELF! Don’t listen to negative people and keep going! 🙂
