Daily Inspiration: Meet Marina Hernandez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Hernandez

Marina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story starts in my hometown of San Antonio, TX. I began playing guitar at age 10 and wrote my first song after seeing Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now” tour. I was always enamored with country music because of my dad playing country radio in the car, but Taylor was the first person to speak to me on a personal level. After seeing her twirl on stage with her sparkly guitar and bouncy curly hair, I knew that was what I wanted to do as well. Throughout the years I wrote songs on and off and at 18, I made the decision to move to Nashville, TN to attend Belmont University. I went in as a Music Business major in hopes that I could get close enough to music without losing “practicality”. I didn’t tell anyone that my secret dream to be a country music artist was the driving factor, but I kept the dream alive in my heart until the end of my sophomore year when I decided to apply for Belmont’s songwriting program. I told myself that if I was rejected, I would give up my far fetched dream. When I was, it was to my surprise that I couldn’t do it. I wanted to make music more than my fear of rejection and the constant anxiety of not being good enough (and that’s saying a LOT). I continued to sit in practice rooms, writing song after song until I was given a chance to participate in a NYU summer songwriters workshop. It was there I began collaborating with other artists and was given a chance to experience chasing my dreams in New York City. I began to look to the future, trying to convince myself that I could give up country music. After moving to New York in January 2023, I was accepted into Berklee College of Music – NYC’s masters program in Songwriting and Production. It was there where I was guided by peers and professors to lean into my true dream of pursuing a career in country music in the city where I knew I truly belonged. Now, I proudly am a country artist in NYC and wrote my debut single “Nothing Makes Sense in Nashville” as an ode to my past and how I ended up where I am at.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing worthwhile comes easy. Since I was a child, I have had extreme anxiety. This caused me to have stage fright and fear of rejection. I didn’t sing publicly until I was 17 years old and each performance I did when I moved to Nashville was an entire challenge to overcome. I am lucky to have had the proper mental health help that I can now push through the fears, but I didn’t pursue this career for so long because of it. I sometimes look back and think about the time that anxiety took away from my music, but I find comfort in knowing that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I was also rejected from Belmont’s songwriting program and NYU’s master’s program for songwriting, prompting me to question the validity of my work. Now I can understand that I wouldn’t have made it where I am today without those roadblocks.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a independent country-pop singer, songwriter, and producer. I am known for being an outspoken person that wears my heart on my sleeve. I am most proud of my music and the comfort it can bring to others knowing that they aren’t alone in sticking out within a crowd. What sets me apart from other country artists is my rejection of the country music stereotypes, especially for women. I am politically outspoken, fat, a Latina, live in New York City, and love to write songs about everything from past love experiences to body image issues and nothing making sense in Nashville.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
There are so many songs coming that I am so excited to share. I want there to be a place for everyone within my musical world regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. I hope you will stick around!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinahernandezmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAcfMHmlkwPaAotG7WIueQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinahernandezmusic