Marie Miller- Beauty will save the world.
Interview conducted on Feb. 05, 2020
by Dan Locke
Featured on everything from The Festival Of Families with Pope Francis to Dancing With The Stars to VH1 and CMT, Marie Miller is an impressive new Curb artist, a triple-threat talent — singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist — who’s poised to become one of music’s breakout stars. Discover Marie’s EP at http://smarturl.it/Marie Miller Just as Miller insists on writing from true experience, her music blurs the lines in defining her style. She aims only for the right musical bed for her lyrics, crafting songs that appeal across many genres. Such original tunes as “You’re Not Alone,” “To Be Loved,” “Unconscious,” “Fall Alone,” and “6-2” will likely find listeners in every format from Triple A, Americana, front porch folk to nuegrass to country and classic pop. She delivers them all in a strong, warm, unfettered soprano that connects with the head and the heart at precisely the same time.
Dan Locke: Interesting video for 6’2”. Is 6’2 your favorite height? And why? I see you like an April wedding (the same month as your birthday).
Marie Miller: Actually, before I wrote that song I had no idea what 6’2 looked like. I love all heights. I’ve always thought it would be fun to get married in April. I love spring.
The video came in two flavors. Which one do your fans like?
I think (hope) they like both!
You grow up in Virginia. How is live music there?
My favorite venues in the world are in Virginia, but I know I am biased. Wolf Trap and The Birchmere were the two places where I decided to make music my life’s work.
What music inspired you while growing up?
I grew up listening to a lot of different kinds of music, but I was very influenced by Bluegrass and Folk music. I just loved the earthiness and realness of this type of music. I love traditions, so it was a perfect fit for me to listen to music that had been passed on for so many years.
You play guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki. Why the Bouzouki?
The Bouzouki is a mandolin one octave lower, so it just made sense.
Which instrument did you learn first?
I first started on the piano actually, but I quickly switched to mandolin.
How did you get your first guitar? And do you still have it?
I do! It’s my sisters. She has been so generous in letting me “borrow” it for the ten years now.
Since you are from Virginia I am going to name some bands from there. I would like you to say something about the band if you can.
Missy Ellott
Aimee Mann
Steve Earle
Roy Clark
Stewart Copeland
Juice Newton
Ella Fitzgerald, I love her! I had no idea she was from Virginia. I love her version of “Cheek to Cheek”.
What made you to decide to go from Christian to Country music?
I love my Christian faith but as a songwriter, I felt too contained writing only Christian music. I wanted to sing about love, friendship, and just life in general.
How was it to play for Pope Francis? Did you get to meet him? What did he think of your music?
It was a total dream come true to sing for Pope Francis! I believe he did like our music because he gave us a thumbs up. Sadly I did not get to meet him.
How did you get picked for Dancing with the Stars?
Honestly, I don’t know how that happened! I am just happy I didn’t have to dance. I am hopelessly clumsy.
How is your new project Little Dreams coming along?
It’s going really well! I am super excited about this new music, and I’ve got a great team behind it. I hope people like it!
What made you go with this name? You are doing the partnership thing with your fans. Almost like a kick start project.
Little Dreams is the title track, and it is a song about pushing through and working hard on your dream even when it feels small and insignificant. I did an investment campaign through a company called Stampede. Unlike Kickstarter, I have investors, not patrons. As someone who had always been on a record label, this made sense for me.
You currently released “Imaginary Friends.” Tell me about some of the imaginary friends you had while growing up?
I actually didn’t have any. I had nine siblings, and so I was pretty busy with real people.
What has been your favorite club to perform in?
The Birchmere in Virginia!
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t really know. I know I will always be playing music somehow/somewhere.
