Interview with Demi Marriner
Earlier this week we featured a detailed write up of the brilliant ‘Tracks and Trails’ EP by Demi Marriner herself, so we decided we’d delve a little deeper and interview the lady as well. Here’s what she had to say!
Hi Demi, We featured you on Belles and Gals recently when we showed a live clip of the brilliant and upbeat ‘C You’. Tell us about the song?
C You is the opening track of the EP and a song I’ve been playing for quite a while now. I knew from the early days of writing this EP that I wanted this to be the opening track as it is always the opening song in our live set and is a really upbeat enjoyable way to open from both an audience and band perspective. This song was great to write and is based upon that situation – which I’m sure most can relate to – when an individual assumes your friendship is much more than it actually is, and doesn’t take too kindly to the fact that it is very one sided.
The song is part of the ‘Tracks and Trails EP’ which is selling so well right now. How exciting is it when you see your name topping the UK country album chart?!
It was completely overwhelming and totally unexpected to see my EP at number 1 in the iTunes country chart! Tracks and Trails is my first release in this genre and to have the amazing support and backing we have honestly gives us the confidence to continue to make music for you guys! It was also so overwhelming because I wrote all of the songs on the EP, and its so nice to have my music, words and stories acknowledged and appreciated by our audience! I just can’t thank everybody that took the time to buy and share the EP enough!
Comparisons to Kacey Musgraves have been made, particularly when it comes to your songwriting style. Is the Texas lady an influence on your career?
Kacey Musgraves is a huge influence on my career. I’ve been writing songs for a number of years now, and country music really fits my style of writing. Kacey was one of the first country artists I really listened too, through recommendation, and I instantly fell completely in love with her very honest story telling writing style. Her songs have always been something I can connect to, and that’s what I hope I can do the same thing for people that listen to my songs.
Which other singers or songwriters have influenced you?
I am influenced by a wide range of people across a wide range of genres for very different reasons. I’m the kind of person with something on my iTunes playlist for everybody! I love most styles of music, and in some way or another they all inspire me; for writing or vocal or performance purposes.
And who do you listen to when you’re at home?
Blimey! Where to start with that question…I listen to a lot of music! My current daily playlist consists of Maren Morris, Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley, Striking Matches…along with some new EPs by Holloway Road, Richi Jones and High Valley. I change my latest playlist all the time, and love finding new songs and bands to fall in love with!
What made you embark on a musical career in the first place? Is there a musician in your family or is it just something you fell in love with?
I’m the only musical person in my family really – my mom always said she gave all of the good notes to me! But I fell in love with music at a really young age. I began playing violin when I was 5, and from then taught myself piano, guitar, ukulele and began writing songs. it’s just something that’s in my bones I think, nothing makes me happier than being able to write and perform.
At the age of just 19, you have many years of performing and writing ahead of you. Do you have any particular ambitions? EG, winning any awards or playing any particular venues?
I have a lot of ambitions for the next few years. We have a lot of exciting plans coming up as a band; music videos and travelling and more. I’d love to play at venues that I have seen some of my favourite acts. I have seen Striking Matches at The Shepherds Bush Empire and absolutely love that venue. If I can play there, just once, I’d be one happy girl! I’d also like to play at The Royal Albert Hall, but I’m going to aim for something a little more realistic first!
The UK Country scene is buzzing right now – it must be amazing to be a part of. And we hear you’ve made your mark in Europe too…tell us more!
The UK Country scene IS buzzing right now! It’s so incredible to see, as there are so many British Country acts that I admire that are finally getting all of the recognition and success they deserve! I have been lucky enough to perform internationally, most recently being a small tour in the Netherlands. We had the best time over there! We worked alongside the Dutch Country Music Association, having some of our tracks played on Dutch Radio and doing a couple of gigs over in Amsterdam. It was just an incredible experience, we cannot wait to go back this summer and work with the DCMA further..
How do you approach your songwriting?
I don’t really have a set structure when I am writing a song. Because all of my songs are very personal and current…my inspiration always comes in waves depending upon what is happening in my life at the time. Sometimes I don’t have anything to write about, and other times I can write 5 songs in one day…it varies massively. I usually just play around on my guitar and then write lyrics to a guitar part I come up with. But there isn’t ever any set structure.
Tell us something random about yourself!
Haha…I’m quite a random person! One random fact is that I name all of my instruments! My first guitar was called Freya (the Fender). My current guitar is called Jessé. My ukulele is called Susie G. My mandolin is called Mandy (original, right?). I recently got a banjo for my birthday, though she hasn’t been named yet! Feel free to tweet me any name suggests @dmarrinermusic
What can we expect from Demi Marriner in the rest of 2016?
The boys and I have lots of exciting things coming up for the rest of this year. We are playing the MainStage at Wychwood festival, and we are playing a couple of other huge festivals (that we can’t announce just yet). We are also recording our debut music video in June which is going to be so much fun. But as well as just lots of shows, we are in the process of writing the album…exciting!
