Discover Marie Naffah: The Journey from Self-Taught Musician to MTV’s Unsigned Artist
Mother of Pearl is out now.
We're thrilled to have a chat with the multi-talented Marie today. From her start as a self-taught musician at fourteen to becoming MTV’s Unsigned Artist of the Year, she’s been on an incredible journey. Her music, inspired by legends like Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell, blends nostalgic folk and rock with a fresh, modern twist. In this interview, Marie Naffah shares her experiences, inspirations, and the stories behind her songs. Get ready for an engaging and insightful conversation with one of the most exciting artists around! Let's dive in!
Could you share with us how you first got started in music and what initially drew you to pursue a career as a singer, songwriter, and musician?
I was fourteen when I started writing music. I taught myself the guitar and had a handful of singing and piano lessons when a girl a few years older than me at school suggested I try writing my own music. I’ve always loved poetry and lyrics, so I fell in love with songwriting and the process it gave me in terms of internal and external observation. Oh, and then I fell in love with performing live, hard and fast. I gigged everywhere I could. After being named MTV’s Unsigned Artist of the Year in my early twenties, I got a glimpse of the industry in a more professional context. While the glitz and glamour were enticing, I learned quickly that if I wanted to be an artist who lasted, I’d have to stick to my guns, find the right people to work with, and be patient. These last few years have been the most rewarding of my life, as I’m finally reaping the benefits of taking the time to consider what I stand for creatively and professionally. It’s been really liberating.
Your music has been described as "Fleetwood Mac and Joni Mitchell-inspired swishy, emotive pop." How do these legendary artists influence your sound and songwriting?
Isn't 'swishy' such a wonderful word? It makes me think of audiences swaying and waving their hands in the air, as if they're painting rainbows with invisible brushes. As for my influences, like Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac – yes! Most of my influences stem from the folk and rock music of the '60s and '70s, straight out of my dad’s record collection. I grew up admiring those artists who pushed boundaries with their craft. As for my other influences, there’s Dylan, McCartney, and Tom Waits... I could go on. I particularly cherish tracks where the lyrics and melody share equal weight; words are immensely important to me. I’ll sit back and listen to the lyrics of a Leonard Cohen track, and it’ll remind me to work harder.
Gloria" explores the bond that comes with female friendships. Can you share more about the inspiration behind this song and how you approached capturing such a complex emotion in your music?
I was really intrigued by the challenge of writing a love song that strayed from conventional romantic themes. I thought, ‘Why reserve all our love songs for our partners and romantic interests?’ So, I ended up writing ‘Gloria’ - a love song dedicated to my best friend. I found myself totally captivated by the sheer elegance of reverence as an emotion. It led me down a musical rabbit hole, listening to classics like Elton John's ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight’ and Billy Joel's ‘She's Always A Woman.’ I discovered this beautiful synergy between the lyrics of love and the bonds of friendship. Filled with honor, devotion and gratitude, I think ‘Gloria’ is one of the greatest love songs I’ve ever written. I hope it reminds listeners to take stock of their friendships, to hold people close, kiss their foreheads and express love often.
You've mentioned that your recent life milestones, such as getting married and reflecting on your creative process, have influenced your music. Could you elaborate on how these personal experiences have shaped your songwriting?
2023 was one of the best years of my life! I made a deliberate choice to retreat from the relentless glare of screens and rekindle my love for the creative process, driven by a desire to produce something greater than anything I had done before. I dedicated myself to writing daily, understanding creativity as a discipline that demands regular practice, like a flower that needs to be watered.
My ideas blossomed from moments of deep observation, attentive listening, and, often, staring into blank space. I found joy in the art of collaging, relishing the unexpected connections and strange associations it allowed me to explore. I love mixing surrealism and realism in my work and collaging allowed me to push that concept further.
Partly inspired by my upcoming marriage in July 2023, my debut album delves into the endless facets of love as an emotion. I guess it marked the end of a chapter and the start of a next, which allowed for that deep reflection which was a hugely enriching creative experience.
Your residency, 'Little Gigs,' seeks to break down the boundaries between artist, audience, and venue. What inspired you to create this intimate and inclusive experience, and how has it impacted your connection with your fans?
Internet fatigue is a real thing! ‘Little Gigs’ emerged from a longing to disconnect from the digital world and bring back that community and curation of live events. I craved real interactions with real people in a tangible space, surrounded by talented artists and engaged audiences. When Gaia Parolini, a music lover, creative and one of the managers of Mezzanine Bar, extended an invitation to her venue, I was incredibly grateful. Together, we dedicated ourselves to curating a unique atmosphere for these shows, striving to foster intimacy and authenticity in every aspect of the experience. It’s a simple concept, but you know something is working when people keep coming back. I now feel a stronger connection to my fans than ever before, and it's a joy to host and celebrate my talented artist friends. As one of them said before his performance, ‘It’s so refreshing to genuinely interact with audiences without the pressures of calling yourself a f*cking Artist’.
In 2021, you embarked on the '50/50: For the Love of Live' tour, playing 50 gigs in 50 days. What were some of the most memorable moments from that tour, and how did it feel to connect with your audience in such diverse settings?
The 50/50 project was really special. After the extended lockdown period when live entertainment was impossible, being able to connect with fans in their own spaces was so moving and powerful. I performed in various settings, including London hospitals, Middlesbrough refugee centers, and fans' living rooms across the UK. The concept was simple yet immensely rewarding, reminding us all of the magic of live music. Personally, it made me acutely aware of how much I missed my audiences and underscored the importance of indie artists in fostering such connections. My fans feel like family now. For those interested in the project, I actually made a short film with the amazing filmmaker Holly Morrison about the experience which is available on my Patreon! I will never forget those fifty days, and they are bound up in my EP ‘Trains’ inspired by the countless train journeys I took between shows.
Your music balances classic lyricism with modern elements. How do you approach blending these influences to create a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh?
Nostalgia, I find, is a delicious thing to capture in music; I love how it encompasses yearning, memory, comfort, escapism, and aspiration. However, I'm cautious about being stuck in the past or simply mimicking old styles. I crave a dash of hope, something fresh, something distinct. People have kindly praised the uniqueness of my lyrics and vocals, but credit must also go to my collaborator, Robin Breeze who had such creativity when it came to the co-writing and production of these songs. We sat together and dissected details of albums I loved, old and new, whether it was Elvis, Bleachers, or Sharon Van-Etten. That attention to detail allowed for us to create my unique sound, which I’m incredibly proud of.
Can you tell us more about your collaboration with your bandmate, producer, and long-term collaborator, Robin Breeze, on your upcoming album? How did you work together to achieve a sound that feels uniquely yours?
I knew I wanted to co-write this album with Robin (Breeze). Simply, at the risk of sounding sycophantic, he is one of the most accomplished and creative players/arrangers/producers I’ve come to know. But also, I felt he really got what I was trying to do with my sound. From January 2023 onwards, we were constantly either in writing sessions at my little Hackney home studio or exchanging lyrics, melodies, and ideas through voice notes, messages, or lengthy phone calls. We were so lost in this album world. I'm immensely grateful for the level of trust and comfort I felt around him as a friend (as he’d managed and performed in my band for a few years) because sharing ideas in their early stages requires a significant amount of vulnerability. He encouraged me to dig deep and find the perfect words, or deliver the most authentic performance. As well as professional skill, there is so much emotional intelligence that is necessary for a good collaborator. Both he and our friend Adam (Bowers) not only produced this record but played basically every instrument on it and June 2023 is etched on my heart as it was a month of camaraderie, collaboration, and boundless creative spirit. I hope that comes across in the music. I will forever be indebted to those two guys.
You've been named one of NME's 'Big 10' artists to watch. How does it feel to receive recognition from such a prestigious publication, and what do you hope to achieve with your music in the future?
Since my frizzy-haired teenage years, I've wanted to be in NME. What satisfies me is how they've consistently embraced and supported me for who I am, whether it was during my 50 Gigs in 50 Days project celebrating the revival of live music post-pandemic, or championing my Abbey Road Session. It's incredibly gratifying to be portrayed as my genuine self without any pretense or gimmicks in such prestigious publications. I’m very grateful for that.
With your album set for release this Summer, what can fans expect from 'Mother of Pearl,' and how do you hope it will resonate with listeners?
I think love pours out of this album. Romantic, platonic, maternal, self-directed... and not just the joyous aspects of love but also its complexities, from the tender to the tougher. The songs are varied, but tied together by lyrical storytelling, honest observations, nostalgic melodies. There are glimpses of sadness and angst and moments of euphoria and sheer optimism. I wanted to bottle up every texture of emotion. I hope listeners drink it in. I hope they sway, dance, hug, cry - whatever the feeling, I hope it bursts out of them.
Photography: Amy Lauffer
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