'Fire Lighter' is the 5th single from Bristol artist Mary in the Mirror and this song is an atmospheric take on R&B, but with the unmistakable bass heavy grooves that are becoming a recognisable element of the MM sound. Mary describes 'Fire Lighter' as a love song with a twist “feel like I follow you round and you don’t know - feel like I follow you round like you want love…” it’s slightly obsessive to want someone who knows you exist but you’re hanging on to the feeling that they might be looking for love, when you don’t really know it.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Mary in the Mirror. What made you want to become a musician?
I was born into a musical environment so I was always singing and writing songs from a young age. By the time I had finished school I realised I was meant to do music. It was the only thing I really felt a burning desire to pursue as a career, that I felt I was any good at. I loved drama too but I was hopeless at acting. I was discouraged from doing music by my parents so I tried to find other jobs to do but have always ended up returning to music, it's like there's a driving force within me that makes me do it.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I love books, and do a lot of reading, both fiction and non fiction – I am passionate about learning new things. I have also discovered recently that I really love painting too.
Your latest song is 'Fire Lighter'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I wrote the song about 5 years ago, my producer sent me the beat and I was just jamming with it, it started off with the hook which just seemed to have a lovely flow to it and the rest came later. I feel like the track came to life after Sirreal added his lyrics at the end, it just created a whole vibe. When we work together we do a lot of jamming in the studio and I feel like it's that special rapport that we create that really adds the magic to our songs.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
I usually talk to my producer and mix engineer, as if two of us are in conflict over something in a track then the other one can weigh in with their opinion and tip the scales either way. I find that between us we usually are able to resolve problems, if not then we will ask other people in the music industry for their advice, for example other producers or artists but I don't have one go to person.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Haha so many – I was never that good at sticking to one job! I have been a shop assistant, bar tender, receptionist, I have worked for a couple of property companies – I have worked as a school teacher out in Egypt for a while too, and I have run my own vocal workshops.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
I love the process of creating the music, performing and doing videos and photoshoots, which are so fun even though really hard work. I even enjoy the marketing side, the creative side of it at least. My least favorite thing is the adminstrative stuff, the day to day running of things, I get through it though, there are a lot of good things balancing it out.
What’s your scariest experience?
Being shot at by Bedouin bandits in Egypt when my crazy ex decided to drive us to an outlaw camp - I assume he wanted to buy weed – we were arguing that day, and when things had calmed down he asked me if I wanted to go out for a drive. Against my best judgement I said OK but once I was in the car and we were out of the city he started driving like a maniac. I told him I wanted to get out but by then we were out in the desert. He pulled up to the camp and I asked him what he was doing, he didn't answer then he suddenly backed up the car muttering “oh shit” and as he was reversing a gang of outlaws with rifles jumped into a jeep and started chasing us. Within seconds he'd got back onto the road and we were careering down the highway, when I suddenly heard the ping - ping of bullets as the outlaws fired into the back of the car. I slid down in my seat, as he put his hand onto his back then brought it back covered in blood and almost lost control of the wheel as a massive truck came hurtling towards us, I went dead calm and told him he was going to be ok, just drive, and he managed to steer the car away from the truck. My life flashed before my eyes in that moment but then luckily the jeep dropped off behind us as we approached the safety of a police checkpoint on the highway. It was terrifying, he was ok but as you can imagine our relationship did not last long after that! I have made that story into a song. Hopefully I will release it in the near future.
What are you focussing on right now?
I was awarded a grant by the Arts Council to develop my creative practice, and as part of my project I have just started a 3 month course called “Music Career Accelerator” taught by Mel Mulligan and Mike Mangini. It is a roadmap to successful music career and I can't wait to get stuck in. I also have to book in 11 more days in the studio in the next couple of months to finish off a few tracks – I estimate that we have about 3 albums worth of material now that needs finishing off ready to release.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I would make it easier for musicians to make it in the industry, I feel it is quite a tough and potentially lonely place for people – I would also make it easier for women as it is still quite male dominated at present, though things are changing.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
If all goes according to plan I will release 3 albums as Mary in the Mirror and tour the world with my music!