An Interview With The Senegalese-American Soul Singer, MARIEME!

Marieme is a Senegalese-American soul singer now based in New York City. Her striking appearance is matched by her powerful, multi-octave voice, She is indeed a modern soul singer.

She released her debut EP on Caroline last year and now all the majors are sniffing around. Next month, she will be putting out a new visual EP of acoustic versions of the tracks from her debut collection.

Check out her single “Ask for Help” here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X40RPBBptzU

Learn more about Marieme in the following All Access interview-

Thank you for your time! So what does a typical day look like for you lately?

Thank you for your time!! I’ve been going to the studio, and feeling lighter from releasing one more message into the world. I’m boring.

Now that we are in the latter half of the year, how has 2019 treated you? What are some goals that you have had for yourself this year? How close are you to reaching them or did you already? What are you already looking forward to in 2020?

I’m really happy with 2019. I think I’m just laying down groundwork for 2020. In 2019 I started with goals of making more music, performing more and take steps to free myself further, and I can honestly say that I feel like the universe conspired to make that happen. Accomplishing those things allowed for even greater things to happen, I just recently lent my voice to LinkedIn in a commercial that will be airing this week and I couldn’t be happier. 2020 is a year of awakening and I feel like my music is going to be a part of that, and I’m looking forward to it.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

I used to get bullied a lot and so music was my escape. Music made me feel beyond ok, it made me feel whole. We didn’t listen to music in my household but I snuck and listened to it. It was all around me outside the house and I just gravitated to it. In the back of my mind I’ve always known I’d be a singer I just didn’t know how to go about it without disappointing my parents so it was dormant. Then I decided to move to LA 2017 and now I’m here, doing it forever.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

I’ve thought of being everything there is to be but the one thing I love the most beside Music is fashion. I love designing and I design most of my outfits, so that’s what I would be doing. I’ve never really thought of being anything but a singer and I’m happy that I can do both.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? What has been the best part about it all?

That my parents would eventually come to, and I don’t have to live with guilt anymore. Huge relief. Trying to learn the intricacies of the business has been a challenge but that’s why having a team who knows what they’re doing is so important.  The best part of it all is knowing that my music is changing lives.

Let’s talk about your upcoming acoustic EP to be released in December. Did anything surprise you about the making of it? What was the inspiration for these songs?

The songs I’m releasing on the upcoming visual EP are ‘Leave,’ ‘Be the Change,’ and ‘Ask for Help.’ Those songs were released on my first EP last year and I thought it was necessary to make the acoustic visual EP, because it’s just me and one instrument. It is just the basics and raw.

What did it mean to you to have your song “Fi moy Senegal” be used to celebrate Senegal’s Independence Day?

It was amazing. I love my country so much. The people there are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet in your life and I felt like a song needed to be made about the people. The free independent people of Senegal! I will forever sing about home.

Do you have any upcoming tour dates scheduled? 

I just did a very intimate performance in the penthouse at the Standard Hotel East on November 4 and then I have a show in December to be announced. After that I’m in the studio for the rest of the year making music for my upcoming projects for 2020.

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? What if anything has stayed the same about your music-making process?

The thing that has stayed the same is that I put my everything into my music and that I’m always open. I’ve grown from being a closed person and not being able to take criticism without feeling like I wasn’t enough. I’ve learned to trust my instincts because that is what sets me apart.

How do you feel about social media? What do you think social media has done for your career?

I think it’s good and bad, I think you should use it but don’t let it use you.  It has helped me gained exposure, but I feel so much is controlled you can hardly get your account noticed without paying up.

What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Anderson Paak and Kendrick Lamar.

If you could design your dream music video right now, what would it look like?

Something very existential and mind expanding

Where would you love to hear a song of yours played?

Space.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

Love is what matters.