The rising singer-songwriter opens up about her musical roots, the thrill of performing for thousands, and the stories she hopes to share through her songs.
Fiona Marais ©️ 2024
Today we have the pleasure to have the talented Fiona on Goathead
GHR: Hey Fiona! Great to have you here. You have been surrounded by music your entire life. Can you tell us more about how that shaped your musical journey?
Fiona Marais: Both of my parents are teachers, but my dad is also a musician and is my biggest musical inspiration. He will forever be my first and favorite accompanist—he plays the guitar while I sing. Before college, I took a gap year to travel, work, and explore my love of music more deeply. I’ve always loved writing, and with more time on my hands, I sat down and started putting my poems with notes.
GHR: Where do you usually perform, and is there a performance that stands out to you?
Fiona Marais: I usually perform small gigs at weddings, restaurants, and house parties. The craziest time was when I was reached out to and asked to perform the national anthem at the Colorado Rockies Baseball game in the summer of 2022. There were about 30,000 people, and it was very intimidating, but such a great experience that I will forever cherish.
GHR: Can you walk us through your songwriting process?
Fiona Marais: For songwriting, I write my lyrics first. Kind of word vomit, throw out stuff into poetry. Then I rearrange into more rhyme and rhythm, and lastly I turn to the piano and start playing around with different chords and melodic structures.
GHR: What role has music played in your life, especially during difficult times?
Fiona Marais: During my lowest points, music was something I turned to in order to find comfort. Hearing that someone else had gone through something similar made me feel like I wasn’t alone and that I could make it through whatever situation I was in. Music also acts as an escape; sometimes hearing a situation or story completely different from yours helps broaden your mind and make you forget about your sadness and struggles. My goal is to share my stories with the world, and if only one person finds comfort from them, then I am content.
GHR: What are you currently working on?
Fiona Marais: Currently, I’m working towards another EP. I have a few songs written and ready to be recorded. I will probably release a single in the next coming months, and hopefully the full album not long after.
Don’t Forget To Follow Fiona On Instagram And Listen To Her Music On All Streaming Platforms
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