The End of the Road

I recently went home to my parents’ house in Salisbury to sign and pack up copies of my debut album, Super Sexy Heartbreak.

It’s really meant a lot to me to see the finished record being stacked up and shipped out.

Seeing the copies going out to addresses all over the world, just feels quite unbelievable.

And doing the signing in the home I’ve lived in since I was ten, coincidentally when I got my first guitar, felt extra poignant.

Now, I could say I officially began this record eighteen months ago, when I started recording the songs.

But I could also date it right back to my teenage bedroom, where I wrote my first song aged fifteen.

Or when I picked up a guitar for the first time aged twelve, and worked out the James Bond theme tune by ear.

Creativity is a lifetime journey.

It’s a rare experience to look at an object and see a completed idea, something that’s gone from noise in my head to a tangible object that will have an emotional effect on those who listen – at least that’s what I hope.

Once they’re out there, these songs no longer belong to me. They’re for anyone who connects with them, and feels that kinship, recognises themselves in them, or feels a little less alone.

I think it’s a strange thing to pursue some creative endeavour, because whether you’re a musician or writer or artist, you reach a point where you identify yourself completely with that goal – I AM a singer-songwriter, I AM an artist, or writer, even if you’ve not put a record out, or published a book – because you feel within you that this is what your life is.

I called myself a singer-songwriter long before I reached this point, but now I guess I can say I truly am.

You have to be brave, and start thinking of yourself this way too – even if it feels scary to put yourself out there. Sharing work, especially in the early stages, can make you feel vulnerable.

I’ve always known I wanted to do this, and while the journey has been different to what I expected, very different, I’m really so happy with the destination.

So, I wanted to encourage anyone reading who’s currently working on a creative project, to make themselves known to me.

Because I didn’t get here on my own.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who watched a video, commented, subscribed, streamed a song, or came to a show, over the years I’ve been doing this.

They kept me accountable.

The knowledge that there were eyes on me, waiting for the results, absolutely gave me the drive to finish – because I’m sure many of us know that it’s easy to quietly give up on a project if you think no one cares.

But the thing is, the feeling you will get when you complete that project, no matter how hard it is to get it over the line, is one of the best in the world.

So – I’m beginning work on my second album – tell me what you’re working on, let’s hold each other accountable, and let’s urge each other on to get that project finished.

I want this to be a creative, independent community that encourages and nurtures each other, that creates a space where we can share and promote our work without the need for gatekeepers or middlemen.

I’m excited for what the future holds.

Mary

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