Daily Inspiration: Meet Mary Moore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Moore. 

Hi Mary, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From a very young age, I had fallen in love with singing, music, and performing. Around 10 years old, I was supposed to be practicing piano, but instead found joy in playing chords and singing little thoughts with a new melody I was creating in the moment, opposed to playing what had already been sung/created before. My love of songwriting and creating was born then, and it never stopped. For most of my life, I ran home to my piano to write music after school, and it became my stress release. Over the years I began understanding the power of song. In addition to songwriting, I drenched my life with music. I was in my high school’s show choir, marching band, wind ensemble, musicals, and I danced with a studio outside of school. I also joined a classic rock and roll cover band and we played around Virginia most weekends. I fell in love with rock music and the way it could make you feel so big and energetic at the same time. 

After high school, I attended the University of Charlottesville. While at school, I joined and became the music director of an all-female acapella group The Virginia Belles. In this group, we covered mainly pop songs, which vocally felt like an entirely different animal from classic rock. I started falling in love with the catchiness of pop music, and a sweet/softness that was missing in a lot of classic rock music. Our group got to tour around the country, and I learned so much about the music theory behind songs since I was arranging for the group. 

At college, I was double majoring in Business and Environmental Sustainability, and most of my life, surrounded by practical people, I was told music wasn’t really an option. In my final year at school, I was in a really unhealthy mental state, and I had one thought pop into my head – “I am going to move to Nashville and become an artist.” It was the first thought in months that brought me joy, and even as the practical, rational part of my brain doubted me, the overcoming, unstoppable excitement I felt about pursuing music became all-encompassing. After graduating in 2017, I moved to Nashville. 

Once in Nashville, I began playing guitar and falling in love with the story telling and emotion in songwriting in music city. I began playing open mics and exploring the singer-songwriter scene. I released my debut EP “Rooted Heart” in the summer of 2019, the songs gushing with imagery of the natural world. The title track “Redwoods” was promoted on NPR “All Things Considered” blog, helping the song and my artist project reach a new audience. I followed up the EP release with a tour all over the US, playing house concerts and Sofar Sounds shows from the cobblestone streets of Boston to the Redwood Forest in San Francisco. 

I had really big touring plans in 2020, but with those halted in COVID, I got bust writing a new EP – “Kaleidoscope Glasses” which will be releasing in Fall 2021!!! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh man – this question makes me giggle a little – because in a way it’s been a smooth road but mentally it’s been a challenge, especially with COVID. I actually have attempted completing this interview 4-5 times now, but I was in such a bad mental space for a few months, this question always made me get to in my head and I’d have to close my computer and walk away – but I’m in a much better headspace and this questions feels easier to answer. 

Yes, there have been some challenging moments – mainly due to comparison, rejection, and remaining resilient. This industry is beautiful and rewarding, but also requires a lot of patience and lot of strength to keep authentically being yourself, doing it your way, and making sure you’re enjoying the journey. 

Fighting through anxiety and that constant feeling of “you’re not doing enough” is exhausting, and it’s what holds me back a lot. I am learning to let it go and learning to keep going. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist that makes folk-pop music!!! Crafting songs and belting out notes is what I do best! I try to bring a whimsical, wholehearted view to everything I do. Everything should feel warm and artistic! I’m just trying to make some introspective bops that people can cry but also dance to. 

I am most proud of my EP “Rooted Heart” that had was promoted on NPR’s All Things Considered blog. I am also really proud of all the touring I have done -it’s crazy to think about all the work that has gone into putting all these shows together and that I’ve been able to do it by myself!!! 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Hmmm – I have not found a mentor yet – so if any experienced famous artist want to mentor me (ehem… Kacey Musgraves? Brandi Carlile???) I am taking applications hahaha. 

For networking – I love going to shows and meeting people and grabbing coffee or lunch together. I also love dm-ing folks on Instagram and seeing if they’d like to connect!!! That has worked really for me and allowed me to meet more people than just in my physical space! 

Contact Info:

• Email: mmoore9274@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.marymooremusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary_moore_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marymooremusic/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryMooreMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5tnaGFpaJsQ_ILhhDcMbbQ
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-175660519

Image Credits
Anna Haas Creative