Interview: Mariee Murphy
Mariee Murphy is a talented singer and songwriter who has just released her new single 'If It Weren't For Grace'. Louder Than The Music spoke to her about discovering his voice, writing her own songs, and her plans to release an EP later this year.
For those who haven't heard of you before, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in making music?
Hello everyone. My name is Mary Murphy. I changed the spelling of my name for the stage to Mariee because there are SO many Mary Murphys.
I have been singing for as long as I can remember. My mother used to write songs and my four siblings and I would sing them. We would perform skits and plays. My two sisters and I would imitate the girl groups of the day like The Pointer Sisters etc. It didn’t occur to me until I was an adult that I would always choose to be the lead singer and my sisters would choose to be my background singers.
When I was about 10 years old, I realized I could really sing. I sang a line from the song “Always” by Atlantic Star (It must have been sent from up above). I said to myself, “That sounded really good”
I got distracted, however, in middle school because sports attracted me and I was very good at any sport I played. I didn’t sing all through middle school and high school.
It wasn’t until I met my husband that I started singing again. He helped me to understand that not only am I a good singer, and have a passion for it, I’m anointed for it. I’m called to sing, and THAT changed the game.
I started leading worship at my husband’s church that he launched and have led worship at all of his church plants for the last 26 years.
Now, I’m a teacher, singer, author, and entrepreneur. I work alongside my husband, planting churches, traveling, singing, preaching, and leading worship. I began my singing career singing on church albums as a lead and background vocalist. Later I was part of a group called Nu Flava that traveled and sang regionally and recorded a studio album. I became a solo artist in 2003. I won a Dallas, TX competition and was featured on The Inspiration Network. I had the opportunity to sing in the presence of Michelle Williams (former Destiny's Child singer), Russ Lee, Sheri Keagy, Brian Free (an award-winning vocalist), and Clifton Davis from the classic T.V. show Amen. I have had the opportunity to open for Vicki Winans, Mary Allesi, Alvin Slaughter, Shawn Slaughter, Mynista, Jesse Duplantis, and Bishop Wiley Jackson, Jr.. My most recent accomplishment was a Broadway tour where I performed all over Florida; traveled to Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Tell us about your new single 'If It Weren't For Grace' and what the inspiration behind it was?
My single “If It Weren’t For Grace” has been receiving fantastic reviews from the public. The phrase I continue to hear is that it’s very catchy, and it stays in your head. With this song, I wanted people to understand that God’s grace is not a license to be weak. On the contrary, God’s grace is empowering. It actually helps us to overcome in every area of our lives. The thing you thought you couldn’t do, you CAN do with God’s grace.
Do you have any plans to release more music in the near future?
Yes, I do. I have plans to release an E.P with five songs including this single in May.
What message would you like people to take from your music?
I would love for people to not just feel empowered, but to know they are empowered even when the feeling is gone. My lyrics are always full of life, faith, and victory
How would you describe your style of music and what are your influences?
My music has a pop beat with Word-based, Faith-filled lyrics.
If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?
I have always written my own songs, and my husband writes as well so I have never thought about working with any other songwriters.
How would you define success in your career as an artist?
Success for me would be to reach as many people as I can and ultimately transform their thinking with my lyrics.
What is your favorite album of all time?
Darlene Zschech - Kiss of Heaven
You're stuck on an island, it's hot, and you only have enough battery life left to listen to one song on your phone. What track is it?
Jonathan Stockstill - Trust You Completely
What does the next year hold for you?
I will continue to tour in the U.S. and hopefully in the U.K. and abroad. I will release another album. I’m looking into doing more on broadway as well.
