Name: Marie Digby

Nicknames: Mar, Mars, Dig

Best Known For: Being “that YouTube girl” and her first album Unfold

Home Town: Los Angeles

Website: www.youtube.com/mariedigby

AC: Your sophomore album, Breathing Underwater, was released this summer. Can you tell us a little about what our readers can expect from your second CD? Marie Digby: They can expect a lot of stories about the heart. The ups and downs of love—which tends to be my favorite songwriting subject. The sound is a combination of singer/songwriter and pop/rhythmic.

AC: How did you come up with the name of this album? What inspired this collection of songs? Marie: I was falling in and out of love while making of this album. It was made during a very short two month period. So it’s a snapshot of my life last winter. I named it Breathing Underwater because it was such a beautiful image and represented trying to accomplish the impossible. That’s how it felt to make this album.

AC: Have you always wanted to be a singer? Marie: I’ve always loved singing, but I didn’t sing in front of an audience until I was 18 years old. I’d always loved it, but I didn’t have the nerve to pursue it as a profession until I was in college.

Marie's under her "Umbrella-ella-ella"

AC: Some would say that your success was self-made. What made you decide to take your career into your own hands and start drumming up publicity for yourself on YouTube? Marie: [When I first started out], I felt so lucky to have signed a record deal and made an album, but at the same time I was scared to death because I didn’t have a release date. I pictured my album collecting dust on a shelf for years and that’s what motivated me to create my own buzz. I thought, “How can I let the world know about my music? Should I go out in my car and tour the country? Or should I post some videos on the web?” I was just trying to think of any way to promote myself, and my music, so that my album had a chance to see the light of day. [Editor’s note: Marie became rather famous for her cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” on YouTube & iTunes, before becoming a phenomenon herself]

AC: Would you recommend other aspiring singers to do the same? Marie: I absolutely recommend other singers to do the same thing. The most important thing to remember is that no matter how talented you are, if you don’t sing in front of other people, no one’s ever going to know your talent! That’s why my advice is always, “play live…and post live performances.”

AC: What’s your first single off this album? What was the inspiration behind it? Marie: My first single is “Avalanche” and it’s about a relationship that’s on the rocks. I felt like I was ready to put everything aside to make things work with someone, but I wasn’t sure if he felt the same. The song is about the moment in which both parties have to decide if it’s all worth it.

Just a girl and her guitar

AC: Getting into the recording industry can be tough. How have you dealt with the rejection that comes with following your dreams? Marie: I think that when you love it as much as I do, the rejection is nothing but a little bump in the road. When you know the end goal, there’s nothing that can get in your way. You just have to remain focused.

AC: How has singing impacted your life? Marie: Singing is my therapy. It’s how I remember the most wonderful moments of my life and leave behind the most painful.

AC: What changed for you after your first album came out? Marie: My first album gave me the chance to tour around the world and live out a lot of my dreams. I would say the experience I gained from making and promoting my first album really helped me when it came time to make my sophomore album.

AC: Why do you think our readers will like your music? Marie: I think everyone will be able to relate to several songs on my album. They’re very autobiographical, and the lyrics come straight from my heart. I try to be as honest as possible and aim to make music that inspires people.

AC: What are you obsessed with right now? Marie: I absolutely love to travel! I went to Cambodia and Poland recently and my goal is to go to Ireland next year. I’m also obsessed with the Food Network and it’s made me want to take some cooking classes.

AC: Who are your musical inspirations? Marie: Portishead, Zero 7, Aaliyah, Radiohead and Jimi Hendrix.

AC: What is your songwriting/recording process like? Do you have any routines that you follow while creating an album? Marie: I hardly have a process when it comes to songwriting. I just try and get down my thoughts when I feel inspired. I never force myself to sit down and craft a song.

AC: Do you have any advice for teens with similar dreams? Marie: My best advice for aspiring singers is to sing live as often as possible. Write as many song as possible. Make a great demo with your three best songs. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as one instrument and your voice. Oh, and posting some videos up on the internet wouldn’t hurt you either.

AC: If you weren’t a singer, what would you do career-wise? Marie: I’d probably still be involved with music somehow. I can’t really imagine a life otherwise. Maybe I’d be just a songwriter or help develop other artists.

AC: What’s the best advice you ever got? Marie: If you want to get far in life, keep working while everyone else is sleeping.

AC: Can you give me a fun fact about yourself? Marie: I have double-jointed thumbs which bend back way too far.

She's nice, but tough

AC: What do you think is the biggest misconception people may have about you? Marie: That I’m just a “nice girl.” I do hope I’m nice, but I’m also tough. I always aspire to be classy but strong. I think it’s important to know who you are, what you stand for and to never compromise that for anyone.

AC: What artists would be included on your ultimate playlist? Marie: Phoenix, Sufjan Stevens and A Tribe Called Quest.

AC: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you while performing? Marie: I’ve had the power cut off during a performance. I had to complete the rest of the show acoustically, without anything plugged in.

AC: What else do you have coming up? Marie: I have a very exciting movie coming out in the next few months, which I just finished shooting. It’s called Feel and it’s a love story that revolves around the songs on my album.

**Check out Marie’s latest CD today!

***all photos courtesy of Marie Digby

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