Daily Inspiration: Meet Marisa Torrieri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Torrieri.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m a journalist and a musician who grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Both careers are closely intertwined; I’ve toured the country with bands in tow, singing and strumming my heart out while earning income as a writer for outlets like The Washington Post as well as more tech-oriented journals and blogs. I’ve taught guitar for 16 years, including six with Brooklyn Guitar School in New York.

But my blissful work-life balance shifted when I got pregnant with my first child, Nathan, in 2011. Suddenly teaching guitar and playing live shows became difficult. I had to pare down my life as a musician significantly, because there was no time to be a part of a music scene, let alone practice with a band every week!

In 2012, there were no parenting magazines to address the massive FOMO that comes with choosing parenthood (unless you’re Gwen Stefani, and have an abundance of fame and resources). So I started Rockmommy. It’s a blog for and about rocker moms (and, occasionally, dads). We publish 5-6 blogs per month, and I plan to launch a podcast later this year.

And while I’ve never lived in Nashville, it’s near and dear to my heart. My cousin Anna Wilson is a well-known country/rock artist and songwriter who spent decades there, and I’ve played a couple of Nashville venues (most recently 3rd & Lindsley) while touring with my bands. I feel like half of the moms I interview for Rockmommy are Nashville mamas (sometimes rock mamas, but also country moms and punk moms). My band Trashing Violet recently played a show with Tiffany, who lives in the Nashville area!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There’s no such thing as a smooth road, but I have to say that I’m incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a comfortable suburban home with loving parents. My mom led my Girl Scout troop and my dad coached my soccer and softball teams. I had a great public school education, where I discovered my love of writing poetry and telling stories.

My biggest struggles today involve balancing my work as a journalist with my music and other responsibilities — namely parenting. Exhaustion is common, and time is my most precious commodity — but I no longer have the luxury of practicing for hours every day. Some days, I have big plans in place, only to get sidetracked by life’s responsibilities: Now that I’m 40-ish, I am sandwiched between aging parents and growing kids, with physical and emotional needs.

With my incredible husband, two kids and a dog, and a home. I don’t take any of that for granted, especially when I see so many people struggling throughout the U.S. and abroad.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Check out my blog — Rockmommy.com — for inspiring interviews of moms (by moms) who are pursuing creative life in music.

I also play guitar and sing for the rock band Trashing Violet (TrashingViolet.com).

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I’ve learned not to take things for granted — my kids, my work, my free time.

Contact Info:

• Website: Rockmommy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockmommyrules/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockmommy1
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockmommyrules
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trashingviolet9621/videos
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/trashingviolet/ 

Image Credits
Bill McMenamey and Stephanie Reda