Carolyn Marie

Rising singer-songwriter Carolyn Marie chatted with Digital Journal about her eponymous debut studio album, which was released on July 1.
On the song selection approach for her new album, she said, "The process didn't start off as 'we need to write an album.' My guitarist and I started writing what became 'Wanna Be Cool.' We loved the vibe. Eventually, we went into a studio and recorded it. After hearing 'Wanna Be Cool' mixed down and ready to be released we thought that maybe, just possibly, we were onto something good and that we should make an album."
She continued, "I wanted all the songs to sound cohesive. They were all written from scratch for the album so there was only one song that did not make the album. We took a lot of time on each song, re-writing and re-recording things that didn’t work. We weren’t trying to fit a mold with the sound. We just wanted it to sound like a collection."
While her personal favorite song on the album constantly changes, her two favorites at the moment are "Who Do You Think You Are" and "Feel My Reign."
She shared that she will be playing The Milford Ladybug Festival on September 22 in Milford, Delaware, and she is gearing up to go out on the road. "It is all so exciting. I am also getting ready to shoot some new music videos for the album which is honestly always just so much fun," she said.
Digital transformation of the music business
On the impact of technology on the music business, she said, "It has changed the music industry so much, and in my opinion for the better. It gives hardworking independent artists like myself the power to do so much more than before and rely on fewer people to start building a career. I can connect with fans, book shows, record albums, and shoot music videos practically all by myself or with some close friends."
She continued, "You don't need a huge team of 100 people anymore. I'm not saying it's not the hardest journey I have ever embarked on in my entire life with tons of highs and lows, because it is, but that being said, if you put your mind to it you can absolutely make it without a label if you work hard. It's your choice now."
On her use of technology in her daily routine as a singer, she said, "I am on social media and posting just about every day. I create content for my fans and share my life with them. I personally message every single person back. I love my fans and owe them everything. They are making my dreams a reality. The technology of today connects me with fans of tomorrow."
She listed Taylor Swift as her dream collaboration choice. "I love Taylor Swift. It would be an unfathomable dream," she said.
For her fans, she concluded about her new album, "I love you all so much, and thank you so much for all the support you've given me. It means the absolute world to me, and I can't thank you enough. I am so grateful to you. I get so excited when you tell me you're listening to the album or that one of my songs is your new favorite. I think about you guys every time I perform them. Thank you."
To learn more about Carolyn Marie, check out her website, and Facebook page. - Digital Journal

Also featured in this week’s Scene Report is a look at the new songwriter’s circle at Clancy’s Tavern in Neptune that kicks off July 26 and continues monthly.

Well, it’s been a fun summer for Hunterdon County-raised dance-pop diva Carolyn Marie. Having dropped her self-titled debut album earlier this month, she is playing after the sold-out Boy George & Culture Club Stone Pony Summer Stage show on August 3 inside the club. If you couldn’t get the $50 tickets before they were gone, Marie has them for only $35 here. Hit her up!

A Rutgers-trained dancer who taught the craft for years before signing as a singer and songwriter with Steve Tarkanish Management, the force behind The Nerds, Marie is backed by drummer Sean Farrlley, bassist Stephen Mir, and guitarist Zach Loss, who produced her album. Look for them to announce fall tour dates soon. - The Aquarian Weekly

Having released her self-titled debut LP on July 1, dance-pop diva Carolyn Marie will play the after party of the sold-out Stone Pony Summer Stage show Boy George & Culture Club on Aug. 3 inside the club. Also featured in this week’s Scene Report is a look at the new songwriters circle at Clancy’s Tavern in Neptune that kicks off July 26 and continues monthly.

Well, it’s been a fun summer for Hunterdon County-raised dance-pop diva Carolyn Marie. Having dropped her self-titled debut album earlier this month, she is playing after the sold-out Boy George & Culture Club Stone Pony Summer Stage show on Aug. 3 inside the club. If you couldn’t get the $50 tickets before they were gone, Marie has them for only $35 online. Hit her up!

A Rutgers-trained dancer who taught the craft for years before signing as a singer and songwriter with Steve Tarkanish Management, the force behind The Nerds, Marie is backed by drummer Sean Farrlley, bassist Stephen Mir, and guitarist Zach Loss, who produced her album. Look for them to announce fall tour dates soon ... - New Jersey Stage

It’s been a fun summer for Hunterdon County-raised dance-pop diva Carolyn Marie. Having dropped her self-titled debut album earlier this month, she is playing after the sold-out Boy George & Culture Club Stone Pony Summer Stage show on Aug. 3 inside the club.

If you couldn’t get the $50 tickets before they were gone, Marie has them for only $35 here. Hit her up!

A Rutgers-trained dancer who taught the craft for years before signing as a singer and songwriter with Steve Tarkanish Management (the force behind The Nerds), Marie is backed by drummer Sean Farrelly, bassist Stephen Mir and guitarist Zach Loss, who produced her album.

Look for them to announce fall tour dates soon. - NJArts

1. Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Man Eater”?
“Man Eater” is the second single off the my debut self-titled album that just released July 1st so it’s super exciting for me! It’s an uptempo rock song with soaring guitars, sexy vocals, and a spooky rhythm that makes me want to dance! I really enjoy the vibe, and I haven’t written many sexy songs so this is different for me, and I like it!
2. Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Not a particular event, but a particular person. It’s a song about a girl I used to know. She was this super sexy lady and everyone was drawn to her. We’d go out and have the absolute best times. We’d get all dressed up to go out dancing and drink wine. She was totally carefree, flirty, and always luring in her next victim. Her character in itself needed a song!
3. How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
Planning the “Man Eater” music video was an amazing process. As well as a singer I am also a dancer. I asked my incredible students from Dream Makers Dance Studio in Lawrenceville, New Jersey to dance for me and they agreed with a resounding yes! I only had four rehearsals to choreograph and teach the dance, but it came together so effortlessly. The location we shot in was incredible! It was a speakeasy – when you enter it’s a laundromat and there’s two doors camouflaged by washers that lead you down to the bar. We were lucky to have this beautiful space. The director, Daniel Maldonado, and I spent a ton of time storyboarding before the shoot and it was so much fun to embody the charter of the “man eater”!
4. What is it about the 80s and 90s that you find so fascinating?
The 80s was full of rock n’ roll, power bands, and pop stars. The music was so eclectic, but always had that 80s energy. My favorites being Joan Jett and Micheal Jackson. The 90s were dancing pop stars and high energy shows. My first CD was “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears and I couldn’t stop singing “Genie In A Bottle” by Christina Aguilera. The dancer in me, and glitter freak lives for the 90s.
5. What aspect of your life did you get to explore on this record?
This album is my debut album and is a very personal one for me. All the songs are either stories about my life or ones from close loved ones. I got to explore breaking out of worrying about what would make a “hit” song and just writing genuine lyrics about my thoughts and feelings. I knew if I was feeling a certain way, there had to be others feeling the same. That’s what I believe the appeal to this album is. It’s honest. Even the production has it’s own space.
6. Any plans to hit the road?
Yes, we are working on getting that together right now!
7. What else is happening next in Carolyn Marie world?
MUSIC VIDEOS. MUSIC VIDEOS. MUSIC VIDEOS.
SHOWS. SHOWS. SHOWS.
Sorry for the caps, it’s just all too exciting!!! - Vents Magazine

Coming off the tragic and timely "Wanna Be Cool," Carolyn Marie flips the script on the Friday night out. Decorated with blustering southern-rock guitar and spooky howls, her follow-up, the cheeky "Man Eater," unravels the story of a woman who is honey to all of the flies in the club. "[This song] is about a friend I used to know. We'd get all dressed up, go out, and all the boys and girls would just flock to her," Marie tells Popdust about the song, premiering exclusively today. "She was fiercely single and wasn't all that into relationships, so each night was an adventure, to say the least. We had a lot of fun going out, and I had equally as much fun writing the song."

"Everybody watched her. She lures them with her eyes. Men crawl from all sides ,'" Marie intones, a lace of tension and numbness soaking her phrasing. "She plays tongue in cheek, winks before she speaks. Tortures them for a long time, a long time. She likes to bring them home. She's a monster in the sheets." Later, the chorus rings out: "Go out at night, with a man eater by my said," she barbs. "We're in a party dress, with a man eater by my side."

"Man Eater" is lifted from Marie's forthcoming, yet-untitled, new album (tentatively expected later this year). She first made a splash with 2015's Backstage Pass EP, her first proper debut. Marie displays a remarkable wit and thought in her songwriting, as she does so marvelously with "Wanna Be Cool," of which she previously explained the story. "[It] is a song I wrote about the need that we have to fit in, and how that need can sometimes cloud our judgment. I was very inspired by the music," she said.

"I've been told I'm a workaholic, and I most definitely have a hard time with relaxation and sleep. At 2 a.m., when an idea for a song pops into my head, I'm up scribbling down the lyrics and singing them in my room," she says of her unfettered work ethic. "My family and close friends are what is most important to me. Their support and encouragement have literally pushed me through some rough patches of my life. I'd do anything for any of them." - Popdust

Like PopDust on Facebook
Jason Scott
"Don't trust thoughts at 3 a.m. It's your life you spend," singer and songwriter Carolyn Marie alerts the listener. The sizzle and throwback '80s funk of her new single "Wanna Be Cool" misleads you into thinking you are witnessing a feel good anthem about being young and reckless. But when you dig deeper into the narrative, you find a much darker, harrowing story throbbing underneath. "I look right and I see a 35 sign. We are speeding. No where to go so she puts on a show. Air bags inflated. Judgement jaded," Marie whispers, as the images are ghostly mirages of fantasy which could become fact at break-neck speed. The song--which premieres exclusively today--speaks to the heedless decisions we often make in the wee hours of the morning. "[It] is a song I wrote about the need that we have to fit in, and how that need can sometimes cloud our judgment. I was very inspired by the music," Marie shares with Popdust about writing song, containing a heavy horn section and sweeping guitar licks.

"As soon as I got the instrumental I ran up into my room and wrote the entire song in an hour. This is probably the fastest song I wrote on the album. The moody track gave me so much inspiration," she continues. "I closed my eyes and envisioned driving late at night with my friend and getting into a car accident. I meditated on this for a while. All my life I've had many more bad experiences than good staying out past two or three AM. It's an anthem that reflects on all the dumb things we do just because we wanna fit in and be cool. Some that even jeopardize our life like drunk driving, drugs."

"I can hardly breathe. We hit again, thrown back into her seat," Marie later sculpts on the song's second verse. "She hears a click from the passenger's side. My eyes welling...Opens the door, shots of glass on the floor."

Originally from New Jersey, Marie released her debut EP Backstage Pass in 2015. Her otherworldly charm and wisdom is not only evident in her music, but in the way she conducts her life. When she was younger, she graduated from high school early and sought out life in the bright lights of New York City. "I'm not going to lie; high school wasn't really my thing. Neither was college, but I'm getting ahead of myself as usual. I do a lot of that. Anyway, I graduated early because I just could not wait to get out of high school," she says. "I didn't even walk at graduation. It wasn't the academics, because I'm actually kind of smart. I was a bit of a nerdy honor roll student who actually paid attention in class. I wasn't hung over like some... because I never got invited to those parties."

"Wanna Be Cool" samples Marie's forthcoming, yet-untitled, new project. - Popdust

Carolyn Marie is an independent pop/alternative rock artist from New Jersey. Here at CelebMix, we have the exclusive premiere of her new video “Wanna Be Cool”!

After graduating early as an honor roll student in order to get a head start on her career, “Wanna Be Cool” is the track that will take her dreams to the next level. Within the music video, Carolyn shows off her extraordinary dance moves along with her appealing voice. The visionary for the video has a hip-hop theme, but the song is far from that genre of music.

The song actually has a funky alternative rock sound that makes you want to dance! What we love even more is this catchy songs lyrics. I mean, how can you deny addictive music with a meaningful message? Throughout the song Carolyn sings lyrics like, “We all wanna be cool and we all want to fit in,” “Turn on the goddamn light / Don’t drive into the night,” and “Don’t trust thoughts at 3am / It’s your life you spend / And it’s too young to end.”

It’s messages like that, that young people really need to hear. Rather than dancing to a song about partying and getting wasted, Carolyn shows a positive message for her fans. Endangering yourself is NEVER okay or worth it just to be “cool.” Of course she understands the pressure, that’s the point of the song. But you have to fight that compulsion. “Your life is too young to end.”

Carolyn is currently preparing to release her self-titled debut album later this year. She recorded the album in her home state of New Jersey with Cooper Anderson, who has worked with artists such as John Legend, FUN and Justin Bieber. The album was also mixed by Ken Lewis, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Lana Del Rey. Pretty cool huh?

Check out the exclusive premiere of “Wanna Be Cool” below:

http://cache.vevo.com/assets/html/embed.html?video=QMGR31705592&partnerId=6a3aac8d-e6cf-4b8c-a0a7-a68211f002e4

Like what you heard? Let us know by tweeting us @CelebMix!

Carolyn Marie

https://www.carolynmariemusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CarolynMariex3/

http://www.vevo.com/artist/carolyn-marie - CelebMix

Spring officially starts this week and with a start of a new season, plenty of new music is out. A new music video and single is out from New Jersey pop artist Carolyn Marie entitled “Wanna Be Cool.” You can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I2AzsSdtqs

From the fashion to killer dance moves, Fromgirltogirl loves this new music video. It has a bit of a 90’s feel that makes us nostalgic and definitely a tune to add to your workout routine or dance class. It is also nice to watch a music video with plenty of diversity.

This smooth, spellbinding video highlights the classic human struggle of fitting in and brilliantly showcases Carolyn Marie and her supporting dancers’ mesmerizing dance talent. The video is shot in a warehouse with a call-to-action to not trust thoughts at 3am.

About Carolyn Marie

But what about Carolyn Marie? What is her story? She is a compelling musician and really showcase her extraordinary dance skills in “Wanna Be Cool,” a funky alternative rock song that encourages viewers to dance right along with the Jersey Girl. Carolyn’s self-titled debut album is coming out this year, which was recorded with Cooper Anderson, who has worked with artists such as John Legend, FUN and Justin Bieber. The album was also mixed by Ken Lewis, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Lana Del Rey. Learn about Carolyn Marie on her Facebook Page. - From Girl To Girl

Can you talk to us more about your single “Wanna Be Cool”?

Wanna Be Cool was the first song I wrote on the album. I immediately knew that it was a new and different sound for me. I love the vibe and thought it was “so cool”, and best of all it felt honest because I was being true to myself as an artist.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

Wanna Be Cool isn’t about a particular event that happened to me, but about watching myself and others make poor decisions because they want to fit in and be accepted. These bad decisions may even jeopardize your life. I think almost everyone has experienced a situation that could have been avoided because they were worried about fitting in, and put their better judgment aside for the desire to be part of the in crowd. The song illustrates getting in a car late at night and speeding to showing off for a friend, because you simply want to be cool.

Any plans to release a video for the single?

I will absolutely be releasing a music video for Wanna Be Cool! I’m very excited about it because I’m finally going to show off some of my dancing! In the past, I was a little shy to dance in music videos because I thought they had to be a certain way. That’s kinda what this song is about too. Not caring about fitting in, and I’m just finally doing what I want with my music career and it feels so amazing. I choreographed the dance with my friend from college, Neal Rodgers, and my best friend Daniel Maldonado directed the video. I’m a dance teacher and all the dancers in the video are my students too! It’s amazing to be surrounded by so many talented people that I love so much. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. It’s my favorite video I have shot to date.

How was the recording and writing process?

The writing process was a lot of fun! My producer Zach Loss sent me the track and I was instantly inspired. It was the fastest song I wrote on the album. I ran to my room and started humming melodies and singing lyrics into my iPhone. The whole song was written in an hour and a half! I then demoed it at Zach’s house and that’s when we knew we had to go cut the song. We ended up hitting up one of the best mix engineers in the world named Ken Lewis who’s credits include Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Lana Del Rey, and more to mix the song. We were still looking for a vocal engineer at the time so he told us to go to Cooper Anderson who’s another heavy hitter, but the nicest most humble guy I’ve ever met. Everything came out amazing and I knew these were the guys I wanted to do the album with. Today in pop there’s a lot of jumping around with producers and engineers, but I fell in love with everyone and their style and wanted to work with people that got me as a person and understood the direction of the album.

How has your upbringing influenced you as an artist?

I was grew up in a big family, myself, two brothers, a sister, and my Mom and Dad. We’ve all always lived together and stuck together. I’m super grateful to have a loving family that is so supportive of my dreams and the arts. My brother, Albert, was born with Down Syndrome and later diagnosed with Autism. Albert cannot speak, and has a hard time with everyday things that most of us take for granted. He is my older brother, so I grew up knowing people with different abilities my whole life. I love him with all my heart. I never understood why people would make fun of him. They didn’t even know him. One day, I want to give back and help people with Autism and Down Syndrome as a thank you to my brother. He opened my eyes, and helped me understand how great I have it. Albert has given me an open heart to all people, and it makes all the difference.

Does the new single mean we can expect new material (Album/EP) – how’s that coming along?

I’m very excited to say you can expect my debut Self Titled album in the near future! Musically we are exploring a less produced sound with live guitars, sweeping solos, with an alternative rock indie pop sound. My influences are very eclectic. I idolize Michael Jackson for his live pop sound and Taylor Swift for her story telling ability. I also love rock bands like Joan Jett, The Pretty Reckless, and Halestorm. If you listen, I feel you can hear the influence from these artists. Lyrically this album pulls from personal experiences in my life so I feel very confident about the new direction for my music.

Any plans to hit the road?

Yes, I will most definitely be hitting the road! I will have a few spot dates and festivals prior to the release of the album, and then I will be looking to set up a tour for the album. I’m very excited because this will be my first time on the road!

Listen to “Wanna Be Cool” here

For More Information on Carolyn Marie:

Facebook // Instagram // Website // Twitter // Youtube // Vevo - Vents Magazine

Carolyn Marie has demonstrated that she is not only an exceedingly compelling musician and dancer, but a motivated and determined young woman as well. She has proved herself once again with her newest hit, “Wanna Be Cool.” Prepare to have this addicting tune stuck in your head with this most recent song about the warnings and thrills of social climbing.

With sincere lyrics that everyone can connect to, combined with catchy melodies, Carolyn Marie has captured the hearts of fans all over the world. Add in her impressive dance moves and she is a force to be reckoned with. Carolyn is currently preparing to release her self-titled, debut album coming this year. With a brand new, edgy, innovative sound, her new music has an emotive vibe with a clear rock influence. The album was recorded in Hoboken, New Jersey with Cooper Anderson, who has worked with artists such as John Legend, FUN and Justin Bieber. It was mixed by Ken Lewis, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Lana Del Rey. Carolyn penned 11 tracks with Zach Loss, including this hot, new single, “Wanna Be Cool.”

This smooth, spellbinding video personifies the classic human struggle of “fitting in.” Brilliantly showcasing not only Carolyn Marie’s mesmerizing dance talent, but her supporting dancers’ as well, it is clear that her dance background has only enhanced her showmanship to create a remarkable performance that promises to keep viewers captivated. - Vents Magazine

J-14 has the exclusive premiere of singer Carolyn Marie's "Shelter Me" music video featuring Sam Halabi, and you are going to love it.

The music video is so beautiful and we just had to find out Carolyn's favorite part. She said, "My favorite part of the music video comes in at two minutes and ten seconds. We were able to overlay the fall foliage footage with some of the dancing footage. To me, that section perfectly expresses the meaning of 'Shelter Me.' It intertwines the emotional seasons of a relationship with the seasons of nature."

Carolyn also told us about a frightening experience that happened while shooting the music video, and you won't believe it.

"One of the locations we shot in was a Wildlife Sanctuary, and I was in a vintage white lace dress. It was so beautiful. So I'm there, prancing around as usual when I hear these terrifying growling and barking noises. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, pop two HUGE, angry sounding dogs from the woods running towards me. I legit had a panic attack and froze. You hear the director, Dan, screaming totally shocked not knowing what to do. Finally we hear a man yell 'HEEL' and the dogs just turned around and ran back to their owner. Thank God, because I was almost breakfast."

How scary is that! We are so happy everything is okay, and that they kept filming because we seriously can not get enough of the music video. Check it out below and let us know what you think.

What is your favorite part of the music video? Let us know in the comments section. - J-14 Magazine

New York, NY – While 2016 has brought unprecedented change in just about every aspect of life as we know it, it’s good to know the fate of the music industry will be in good hands for 2017. To usher in the new year, New Jersey native Carolyn Marie offers an exciting visual to her smash single, “Shelter Me.” Directed by Daniel Maldonado, the concept of the video renders a radiant backdrop which draws viewers into a storyboard of, love meets heartbreak. The infectious tune starts with a subtle piano medley that quickly gains momentum as it takes flight into a dynamic pop atmosphere. The radio friendly club remix comes courtesy of super producer Sam Halabi, who has remixed the likes of CeCe Peniston and the Legendary Aretha Franklin. With the momentum of the EDM scene, the injection of Mr. Halabi’s energy, along with Carolyn’s melodic voice creates a masterpiece that resonates with fans in search of an unknown.





In the past year, Carolyn Marie has been on a tear, with a body of work that would fill the most modest artist entire career. With three visuals, “Surrender,” “Our Favorite Song,” and “The Moment,” the expectations for the uptempo “Shelter Me,” was on high! No Problemo, Right? Insert Carolyn wearing a dazzling white gown wondering in a lost abyss, and the rest is history. Carolyn simply looks you in the eye and asks, “will you always shelter me?” A proposition that’s sure to result in one answer, A Resounding, yes!


The future of the music industry looks to be in good hands. Carolyn Marie proves to be the welcoming whiff of fresh air – blowing through a rustic old fashion town in the Mid-West. Something New, something Different, something Real!♥



Director Daniel Maldonado effortlessly brings together a pallet of colors and abstract imagery which proves to be the perfect compliment to Carolyn Marie’s silky voice. “Shelter Me” is a powerful, impactful piece of art which draws deep within the soul while enticing you to dance at the same time~ What a combination! We look forward to hearing what’s next from Carolyn Marie…..America’s Next Star – Renzo - Wazzup Tonight

In the past 12 months, we’ve been excited to bring you three videos from NJ native Carolyn Marie. “Surrender,” “Our Favorite Song,” and “The Moment” each showed a different side to this diverse songstress. Today, we would like to share with you the brand video for “Shelter Me.” While we’ve been huge fans of everything prior, we would dare to say that “Shelter Me” might just be her strongest work to date. A strong pop song in a tight, powerful, electronic production, it’s not just a dynamic song, but an emotionally impactful track about the complications of love and devotion.

Not only has Carolyn Marie given us a hit with “Shelter Me,” she also teamed up with producer Sam Halabi to create a radio-ready, club-thumping EDM remix of the track. Though each one could be a hit in it’s own right, Carolyn has elected to take the EDM remix and create a music video that harnesses all of the energy of the track and presents it in a visually exquisite presentation that will be a natural fit on screens big and small.

In her brand new “Shelter Me” video, Carolyn Marie took advantage of the fall foliage of the northeast to create a video that is every bit as radiant and colorful as her. An interesting concept of director Daniel Maldonado is that wile Carolyn showcases her signature beauty against a backdrop of fiery reds, earthy greens, and deep blue skies, she never actually opens her mouth to sing the song or performs in any way. As the world goes on around her, she longingly gazes towards the camera, connecting on a more cerebral level. In her previous video for “Surrender” she was able to perform double duty on camera, but for “Shelter Me,” her strong, commanding presence is more than enough to cast a bright light on this stunning video. - Vents Magazine

Not only has Carolyn Marie given us a hit with “Shelter Me,” she also teamed up with producer Sam Halabi to create a radio-ready, club-thumping EDM remix of the track. Though each one could be a hit in it’s own right, Carolyn has elected to take the EDM remix and create a music video that harnesses all of the energy of the track and presents it in a visually exquisite presentation that will be a natural fit on screens big and small.

In her brand new “Shelter Me” video, Carolyn Marie took advantage of the fall foliage of the northeast to create a video that is every bit as radiant and colorful as her. An interesting concept of director Daniel Maldonado is that while Carolyn showcases her signature beauty against a backdrop of fiery reds, earthy greens, and deep blue skies, she never actually opens her mouth to sing the song or performs in any way. As the world goes on around her, she longingly gazes towards the camera, connecting on a more cerebral level. In her previous video for “Surrender” she was able to perform double duty on camera, but for “Shelter Me,” her strong, commanding presence is more than enough to cast a bright light on this stunning video. - Dope Cause We Said

Carolyn Marie’s Shelter Me is a pop/EDM track that from its onset will tattoo its melodies deep into the minds of fans. The backing instrumentation ebbs and flows into something intense. Synths and an authoritative beat make this single ready for large amounts of radio rotation. There is a give and take that is present during Shelter Me that makes for a smoothed-out and cohesive sound. Shelter Me gradually increases in tempo until the synths end emphatically; we are excited to see what Carolyn Marie will release in the months and years to come. - NeuFutur

Carolyn Marie and her flawless vocals get a high powered upgrade from one of our favorite remixers. Sam Halabi is back at it again and this time he's gone straight for the gusto. So nestle up to this melodic intro and reflect because when the drop hits all hell will break loose. Nothing makes you feel more safe than a rip-roaring dance party, so take shelter and be ready to turn up with this peak time club banger. - Digital DJ Pool

New Jersey singer Carolyn Marie always knew an ordinary life wasn’t for her. Graduating early from high school because she couldn’t wait to get away from it, she sees the world as an exciting place, with many things to offer her.

Carolyn’s latest song, ‘Shelter Me’, is the follow up to her previous songs, ‘Surrender’, ‘Our Favorite Song’, and The Moment’, and it might be her strongest work yet. A strong pop number it’s powerful and emotionally impacting, focusing on the complications of love, and devotion.

The song has the added bonus of having been remixed by producer Sam Halabi, who’s come up with a brilliantly thumping EDM track. The accompanying video, made for the remix, features Carolyn in the gorgeous Jersey countryside, on the very cusp of summer and autumn, the leaves a glorious mix of reds, yellows and greens, and the sky stunning in its Indian summer warmth.

Find out more about Carolyn Marie online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and her official website. - Essentially Pop

A new single and music video will be released on Feb. 12 by Carolyn Marie Ferraro, a Readington Township resident and 2010 Hunterdon Central High School graduate.

Tomorrow evening, Feb. 11, Carolyn Marie Ferraro is to be interviewed on The Wiseguyz Show on DDV Radio.

Ferraro's single is called "The Moment," and was written with Jeff Gueritey. She said the song was written following a couple of breakups, and is meant to be "something that reflected the heartbreak," while acknowledging that the end of a relationship doesn't erase the happy moments that came earlier.

Ferraro graduated from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a degree in fine arts and dance. She teaches dance at the Academy of Dance Arts in Whitehouse and at Prestige Dance in Flemington.

She also sings with Carolyn Marie and the 7:30 Players, appearing at clubs largely in northeast Jersey and Philadelphia.

Earl Cohen produced "The Moment" for Ferraro. He is a multiplatinum and Grammy award-winning producer who has worked with artists including Lady Gaga, Pink, Usher, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston.

Ferraro has been nominated for a Lehigh Valley Music Award for "Best New Band/Soloist of 2014."

Stay with NJ.com/hunterdon for more on Carolyn Marie.

Renee Kiriluk-Hill may be reached at rkhill@hcdemocrat.com. Follow her on Twitter @ReneKirilukHill. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook. - The Hunterdon County Democrat, NJ.com

Give a microphone to Eric LeGrand and ask him to make an inspiring speech? No problem.

Do the same thing and ask him to sing pop music lyrics? Well, then the nerves kick in.

The do-it-all former Rutgers football star is about to add musician to a resume that includes author, actor and activist as he is featured on a song that he co-wrote. It is set to hit iTunes and Google Play later this week.

"A lot of stuff doesn't get to me, but making music touches people and that's what got me," LeGrand told Gannett New Jersey. "I'm not going to back away from the challenge. Whatever comes from this, I'm ready for it."

The collaboration – entitled "Take Back The Power" – is part of the debut five-track mini-album for Carolyn Marie, an aspiring solo recording artist from Central Jersey who graduated Rutgers in 2014, the same year as Avenel native LeGrand.

Like millions of others, Carolyn Marie, 23, is inspired by LeGrand, who became the national face of spinal cord injury research for the hope that he has generated and the fundraising he has done since he was paralyzed from the neck down while making a tackle in October 2010.


"It's a very emotional song because he goes into his story and the feelings inside of him when he was injured and laying on the operating table, and how he is going to push past it," said Carolyn Marie, whose real last name is Ferraro. "We wanted this to be a song for anyone who is struggling through something. It was a message to believe in yourself."

The project is set to come to fruition Thursday with its public release through pre-orders, followed by a March 19 broader release to all digital distributors such as Spotify and Amazon.

But its origins date back more than a year to their first meeting at a New Year's Eve party.

"She was very persistent that she wanted to make a song and she wanted me to be in the song," LeGrand said, a hearty laugh disrupting the memory. "I'm like, 'I'm not a rapper or a singer or anything. Can I do this?' She had all these ideas of how it could work."

Soon, the two go-getters were meeting twice a month for two or three hours at a time, writing lyrics and swapping background stories – Carolyn Marie's older brother has Down syndrome. The-back-on-forth text messaging was constant.

"I thought, 'It's another platform to tell my story,'" LeGrand said. "I've told it speaking, in documentaries, in newspaper articles. Why not take the opportunity to do that? You never know what could come of it. I love jamming out. Back in high school, everyone thought they were going to become a rapper."

Carolyn Marie didn't. She preferred dance until her ballet teacher at Rutgers encouraged her to audition for musical productions, which required acting and singing and ultimately created the rock-inspired voice she used to convince LeGrand to join her.

"His upbeat personality and positive attitude, when you are around him you just feel so alive," she said. "He had so many struggles to overcome. It inspired me to write. We wanted something sporty, with big drums, anthem-y and super powerful-sounding. It describes his personality perfectly."

LeGrand's musical tastes range from rappers like Lil' Wayne and Drake to the heavy metal of Quiet Riot or the pop stylings of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. The smash hit "Dark Horse" between Perry and rapper Juicy J inspired LeGrand.

In the final product, which was produced by Synematik and recorded at Premier Studios in New York City, LeGrand sings:

I'm going to go back to that field

On that turf where I once laid

Get back up and say

I finished that last play

"I was nervous as anything," LeGrand said. "When I went into the studio, my heart was racing. I was like, 'What am I doing right now? What did I get myself into?' But she kept me calm and she was like, 'You are going to enjoy it.' Every word that she said came out true. I had a great time."

A launch party for the song is scheduled for April 23 at The Grand Ballroom of the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, with proceeds going to Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, said Carolyn Marie.

LeGrand doesn't know if he could perform live without laughing, but he has no doubt his partner can.

Carolyn Marie's first full extended play is set for release in April.

"She can really sing," LeGrand said. "She has a passion and how hard she is working to get her career going stood out to me. I applaud her for that. Her passion is based on music, but it's the same as mine to walk again."

Staff writer Ryan Dunleavy: rdunleav@gannett.com - Asbury Park Press, Home News Tribune, Courier News, Daily Record

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is turning his attention to a new stage.

The Home News Tribune (http://mycj.co/1A93Ghx) reports the former Rutgers football star has collaborated with fellow Rutgers alum Carolyn Marie on "Take Back The Power," a song that appears on her upcoming debut five-track mini-album.

LeGrand co-wrote the song and also sings on the track, which is about having the strength to overcome adversity. He suffered a spinal cord injury making a tackle during a game in 2010 that left him paralyzed below the shoulders.

The song will be made available this week through pre-orders, then via broader release to all digital distributors March 19.

A launch party is scheduled for April 23, with proceeds going to Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. - Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is turning his attention to a new stage.

The Home News Tribune (http://mycj.co/1A93Ghx) reports the former Rutgers football star has collaborated with fellow Rutgers alum Carolyn Marie on "Take Back The Power," a song that appears on her upcoming debut five-track mini-album.

LeGrand co-wrote the song and also sings on the track, which is about having the strength to overcome adversity. He suffered a spinal cord injury making a tackle during a game in 2010 that left him paralyzed below the shoulders.

The song will be made available this week through pre-orders, then via broader release to all digital distributors March 19.

A launch party is scheduled for April 23, with proceeds going to Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. - Fox News

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand is turning his attention to a new stage.

Eric LeGrand
Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

The Home News Tribune reports the former Rutgers football star has collaborated with fellow Rutgers alum Carolyn Marie on “Take Back The Power,” a song that appears on her upcoming debut five-track mini-album.

LeGrand co-wrote the song and also sings on the track, which is about having the strength to overcome adversity. He suffered a spinal cord injury making a tackle during a game in 2010 that left him paralyzed below the shoulders.

The song will be made available this week through pre-orders, then via broader release to all digital distributors March 19.

A launch party is scheduled for April 23, with proceeds going to Team LeGrand of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.



(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


Read More: Rutgers' LeGrand tries his hand at musical collaboration | http://nj1015.com/rutgers-legrand-tries-his-hand-at-musical-collaboration/?trackback=tsmclip - NJ 101.5

Breaking up may be hard to do, but in her new single Carolyn Marie Ferraro wants listeners to remember the earlier moments that were special.

Co-writing "The Moment" helped her move on, and she hopes it does the same for others who may be feeling bittersweet this Valentine's Day.

A new single and music video will be released on Feb. 12 by Carolyn Marie, a Readington Township resident and 2010 Hunterdon Central High School graduate.

Ferraro graduated from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a degree in fine arts and dance and is a dance instructor. She also sings with Carolyn Marie and the 7:30 Players, appearing at clubs largely in northeast Jersey and Philadelphia.

Earl Cohen produced "The Moment" for Ferraro. He is a multiplatinum and Grammy award-winning producer who has worked with artists including Lady Gaga, Pink, Usher, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston.

Ferraro said one day she was "working with Earl" and "feeling a little down" following a break-up. She said they worked on an instrumental track, a ballad "slow but that still had strength."

She said she kept it going with fellow songwriter Jeff Gueritey. "We kept going back and forth with the lyric and melody" until they hit on "The Moment. I wanted it to be something that reflected the heartbreak," while acknowledging that the end of a relationship doesn't erase the happy moments that came earlier.

"It has a lot of emotion in it, yet it's very positive," she said. "I like to keep my messages and music" on a level that "everyone can relate to" and find uplifting. At the same time, she said she seeks "that pop drive and catchiness" that "makes you want to listen to more," and hear "that positive message."

The evening of Feb. 11, Ferraro is to be interviewed on The Wiseguyz Show on DDV Radio.

Hunterdon friends have long known about her passion for dance, growing up she said her weekdays were spent at school or New Jersey School of Ballet, and at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble weekends.

She liked singing, and creative writing, but never thought about combining them in a career.

Ferraro credits one of her Hunterdon Central English teachers, Mr. Smith, with getting her hooked on poetry during an Honors Imaginative Process course. "I'm not a morning person, and it was first block, but it was such a fun class. He showed us different ways we could go about creating stories and poetry."

In college a ballet teacher convinced Ferraro to combine her singing and dancing in musical theater. "That's when I found out I was super passionate about music too," she said. "I have these two elements going on. It's good, because they relate."

About a year ago she formed the band, which has Zach Loss on guitar, Brian Como on bass, and Sarah Novack on drums. They practice several times weekly and perform original and cover tunes on weekends.

In March, Ferrero is releasing a second song, inspired by fellow Rutgers alum Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed making a tackle during an October 2010 Rutgers game.

"We graduated the same year and we're both writers," she said, explaining that they met on New Year's Eve a year ago.

Her music video has been on pre-order on iTunes and Google Play, and is to be available widely starting Feb. 12. She has been nominated for a Lehigh Valley Music Award for "Best New Band/Soloist of 2014."

Sleep? There's not much time for that. "I'm always on the move, I like it that way," she said. "I'm one of those people that worries about not being busy."

Stay with NJ.com/hunterdon for more on Carolyn Marie.

Renee Kiriluk-Hill may be reached at rkhill@hcdemocrat.com. Follow her on Twitter @ReneKirilukHill. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook. - The Hunterdon County Democrat, NJ.com

Pre-order for “The Moment” begins on January 30th on iTunes and Google Play and goes on sale on February 12th on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon Music. The video for single “The Moment” will also be available on February 12th on Vevo and YouTube.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day and on her 23rd birthday, on February 12th, Carolyn Marie is releasing her brand new single and music video “The Moment” from her forthcoming debut album, Backstage Pass. A timeless ballad filled with the raw emotion of tumultuous relationships. It is a story of love found and lost, of bliss and heartbreak. It is a song about not appreciating the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. “The Moment” was produced by the multiplatinum and Grammy award winning, Earl Cohen, whose credits include the career launching album, “The Fame” for pop music’s icon, Lady Gaga. The song was written by Carolyn Marie, Jeffrey Gueritey, Josh Glazer and Earl Cohen, and under executive producer, Andrew Chervak.

The music video directed by Dan Levitt is a highly emotional performance by Carolyn Marie of her past experiences with love and loss. The black and white film showcases Carolyn Marie’s emotional turmoil while the scenes of her in a symbolic red leotard dancing through hundreds of photos demonstrates her acceptance of life’s changes. Adding to the angst, the pictures are of memorable moments from her personal life and those of her fans that sent her their own cherished moments. The video is an introduction to Carolyn Marie, the young, ambitious, rock-inspired singer and songwriter with unstoppable enthusiasm.

The buzz for Carolyn Marie’s debut record is starting to heat up! On Feb. 11th, Carolyn Marie interviews with Wiseguyz Radio Show promoting “The Moment”. Her next single “Take Back the Power” featuring Eric LeGrand already has interviews lined up with Gannett New Jersey Daily Newspapers. The music video for “Surrender”, another song off the album Backstage Pass, will feature custom designed dresses by Henry Picado of the JS Collection who designed the Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett dress. Carolyn is booking into April, headlining her own show at Legendary Dobbs in Philadelphia, PA with her band, The 7:30 Players. The Real Radio Show tied her down for an interview on April 19th, and will be putting her music in rotation when it releases. On top of all that, she has been nominated for a Lehigh Valley Music Award (LVMA) for “Best New Band/Soloist of 2014″ and will attend the award show on March 8th. She is planning a release party and summer tour to promote “Backstage Pass”.

“She is a star in the making!” – Faith Verrill, RAW NYC Manhattan Director 2014

Pre-order for “The Moment” begins on January 30th on iTunes and Google Play and goes on sale on February 12th on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon Music. The video for single “The Moment” will also be available on February 12th on Vevo and YouTube.

For more information about Carolyn Marie, see her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. For her press contact, call or email Gabriella Meghan at contact@carolynmariemusic.com or via phone at (315) 430-8047. - The Valley Ledger

Who the hell is Carolyn Marie? ;)

Well, I sing sometimes. I dance sometimes too. I’m endearingly awkward. I love hugs and chocolate covered strawberries.

Tell us something that most of your fans don’t know! Make it juicy!

Honestly, I don’t have too many secrets, and I’m not just saying that, but the juiciest story that comes to mind is that of my ex-boyfriend breaking up with me because he couldn’t handle my music career. It was also the day before a huge festival where he was supposed to be playing the guitar for me. I’ll definitely be writing a hit record about that one! Oh well, sucks to be him. Love bites, but so do I ;)

Who inspires you and your music?

Everyone and Everything, from waking up at 6am hating life to being madly in love, or single as hell and devilish. It is all reflected in my writing. I also have an eye for the many that go unnoticed and underappreciated. People and their experiences are very interesting to me.

If you could collaborate with any artist/artists outside of your genre who would they be?

There are so many incredibly talented artists in the world. This is such a hard question for me because I have so many influences. But I’m going to go with Joan Jett. She’s my spirit animal. Her rebellious nature and attack in her rock n’ roll vocals are unbelievably alluring to me. I also love that she’s a woman that’s not afraid to be herself. It’s empowering.

What can we expect from Carolyn Marie in 2015?

First thing is first, I’m turning twenty three this year! Since I was little I always had this weird, but powerful intuition that my 23rd birthday was going to mark a new chapter for me. As Feb. 12th gets closer, I feel myself getting anxious about it, but in a good way. I decided not too long ago that I would release my single, The Moment, from my forthcoming album Backstage Pass on that date. In 2015 the world will get an album, music videos, a jewelry line, and a whole lot more about me that I wasn’t quite ready to show or tell; but as they say, ready or not, here I come!!! That’s the perfectionist in me. It’s a blessing and a curse.

Tell us a little bit about your upcoming Jewelry line!

I’m super excited about the collection! I’ve always been involved with the fashion world because of my modeling career, but being able to go behind the scenes and see how each and every piece is made is incredibly interesting to me. Just about a week ago my good friend and the designer of my jewelry line, Sara Sela and I headed into New York City to the bead district to find the perfect charm that represented me. There’s not too much I can reveal about this just yet, but the line embraces femininity and romance with a unique edginess to it.

Leather or Lace?

I’m obsessed with both. I guess it depends if I’m rocking a show or getting in bed… you know with me, myself, and I of course.

Favorite guilty pleasure…and GO!

…Massages?! LOL :) hehe

Dancing in the Rain, or Singing in the Shower?

I would have to give this one to dancing in the rain. I sing in the shower every day just because I have no self control, but for it to be warm enough outside where you see clouds of steam as the water hits the ground. That’s supernatural.

Red Lipstick or Pink Lipstick?

The classy red lip. Always.

Tell us what inspired your song Surrender.

Surrender was inspired from being harassed and seeing others being treated the same way. I have always felt the need to stand up and speak out for those that can’t speak for or defend themselves. So, I never had a lot of friends at school. I always felt that I had a mission to try to have people, especially young people, be a little kinder to each other. It made me question humanity for a time. I was angry at the world we created and felt defeated. I wanted to send a message of positivity out into the world about community and coming together which I think is something the music industry lacks right now. That is sad considering music is a reflection of the times. I want to change that for our generation. I have always known that I wanted to be an entertainer so I have always been involved with musical theater, dance and singing. I was just starting college when I started recording music. I loved it immediately and knew I wanted to continue with it, even though I was going to school for dance. It quickly became apparent that college wasn’t going to be much different than high school! I was astonished and disgusted with the behavior of a lot of my classmates. I could not believe that this stuff could actually go on in college?! I was the joke of my class for a while for daring to follow my dreams. I did have a few close friends that supported me and I am forever grateful for that. Our society feels so artificial sometimes. I just never felt the need to hate someone and go out of my way to make someone’s life miserable for following their dreams. I don’t understand the mentality of hating just to hate. What’s the point of that? Empowered people empower others. Let’s just all be kind. And that’s what surrender is about. Not surrendering to the hate, keeping your head up, and marching on.

Plug your music here!

My brand new single and music video “The Moment” will release on my birthday, Feb. 12th! Pre-orders on iTunes and Google Play start on Jan. 30th! I’m ridiculously excited and hope you love it!



carolynmariemusic.com
facebook.com/CarolynMariex3
twitter.com/CarolynMariex3
instagram.com/carolyn_mariex3 - Gabriella Meghan Spills It

Carolyn Marie, the dynamic new rock inspired singer-songwriter, just released her debut EP Backstage Pass. As an independent artist, Carolyn has quite literally opened doors for herself. Her unstoppable enthusiasm and exacting nature led her to seek out and work with top industry professionals such as multiplatinum and Grammy award winning producer, Earl Cohen, and EMI/Sony ATV producer, Synematik. When Carolyn wasn’t in the studio writing or recording she was attending Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University full time, juggling her full-fledged music career with the rigorous demands of the dance conservatory program where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University in May of 2014. She was nominated for “Outstanding New Band/Soloist of 2014” in the Lehigh Valley Music Awards (LMVAs), was a finalist in RAWards for “Musician of the Year” representing New York City and her song,” Surrender”, from her EP Backstage Pass was awarded finalist in the prestigious US Songwriting Competition. Another song from her EP, “Take Back The Power”, Carolyn’s collaboration with inspirational icon Eric LeGrand , attracted major media outlets across the New York metropolitan area like Fox 5 o’clock news, NBC10 Philadelphia, NJ.com, Magic 98.3, and many more creating major buzz and anticipation for this powerful and motivational anthem. Carolyn Marie is determined to turn her childhood dream into an empire, one record at a time.

Where are you from?

I live in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

How long have you been making music?

I have been writing songs and recording music for the past three years, but my passion to express myself has been a part of me since I learned to write and dance. I still have journals from when I was a little girl with lyrics to songs and poems I was writing. It’s funny, but at the same time a little sad to read entries where I was writing from a time of hurt. I just wish I could go back to my younger self and say “Don’t worry, you’ll be alright!” It also made me aware of how deeply a child can feel about something that we just brush off which has definitely helped me understand children better when I’m teaching dance or voice.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

I have released quite a bit of music up to date that I had taken down. I was experimenting and trying to find my own lane in this very saturated music industry. I’m very proud to say that my most recent release, my debut EP – Backstage Pass, is what I want the world to know as me, Carolyn Marie.

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?

When I started writing Backstage Pass, I had recently went through a heartbreak and was also being singled out at college for following my dreams and trying to make a career for myself in music. I put the songs on Backstage Pass in the order they were written. Surrender, is an anthem against people trying to crush your dreams, and learning to love and embrace others differences. The Moment is about how even though the person you once loved is not in your life anymore you can still cherish the good times you had together, and the third song, “Our Favorite Song” is summer with the friends, getting over lost love, and moving on! The last song, my collaboration with inspiration icon, Eric LeGrand – “Take Back The Power” is about believing in yourself, not giving up, and fighting even against overwhelming odds. Looking back on the whole record, you can see and hear the struggle through the break up from beginning to end and how I found my positivity and confidence after being bullied.
How have you ended up in the music industry?

While I was in college for dance my ballet teacher asked me to audition for a musical that would be performing at New Jersey Performing Arts Center over the summer. I got in, and did the same the following summer. I loved being able to sing, dance, act, and perform to an audience, but something was missing. I couldn’t write or create. I was given a character and told to play that role. I wanted to story tell and share my life experiences through my dancing and singing. That’s how I ended up in the music industry. I wanted to create my own show.

What do you think of the music industry in 2015?

Although most think the music industry is plummeting because of poor record sales and artists are finding it harder than ever to get a record deal, I think we are in the best position to be independent artist today. There are so many social media outlets and niche markets for artists with tons of listeners. If you are willing to invest in yourself and your music, you can have a huge career without a label and be true to who you are as a person and a musician. This will eliminate the artists who aren’t genuine and are just in it for the wrong reasons like fame and money, and not because they are passionate about music.

Who do you think the most influential artist?

This is such a hard question. I love so many different artists for so many different reasons so to pick the most influential artist, in my opinion, is impossible. I love Taylor Swift for her lyric writing ability and her connection with her fans, Joan Jett for her rock n’ roll, I don’t give a f*ck anthems, Lzzy Hale from Halestorm for her powerhouse vocals. It’s so hard for me to pick, but I’ll go with these three ladies.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

I have collaborated with rapper, Whitney Peyton, on her single “Better” as well as inspiration icon, Eric LeGrand on my song “Take Back The Power” which is the next music video I will be releasing. It’s been a while in the making so I’m incredibly excited for everyone to see it!

How do you think you differ from other artists?

I believe I differ from other artists because I’m not only passionate about music, but dance and other aspects of the entertainment industry as well.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?

Joan Jett, she’s such a rebel child and I love to rock n’ roll!

What was the first album you bought?

The first album that I asked my lovely parents to buy me was probably Baby One More Time by my girl Britney Spears. She’s one hell of a dancer!

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

My “favorite song” at “the moment” is “Our Favorite Song” and “The Moment” off my debut EP – Backstage Pass! Sorry, I had too! But right now I’m really into New Romantics by Taylor Swift.

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

Taylor Swift – 1989. I love her to pieces. Who doesn’t?!

What is your favorite saying?

“Empowered people empower others”

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

I teach dance and voice full time so I’m always being super creative. I pretty much live the entertainment industry on a daily basis. It’s okay though, because I am so in love with it all.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

I only have my ears pierced, and I had to beg my Dad like crazy to let me get them done when I was in forth grade. My Dad would be way too upset if I ever walked in with a tattoo, haha!

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?

My next project that will be releasing soon is the Take Back The Power music video feat. Eric LeGrand. It’s been long in the making, and I’m hoping to inspire others to believe in themselves.

What’s in the pipeline after this project?

A full length album… That’s all I can say!

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share my story with your readers!
With love,
Carolyn Marie xx - Artist Rack

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?


Carolyn Marie: I grew up in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. I always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry, but the realization that I wanted to be a recording artist wasn’t immediate. While I was in college for dance my ballet teacher asked me to audition for a musical that would be performing at New Jersey Performing Arts Center over the summer. I got in, and did the same the following summer. I loved being able to sing, dance, act, and perform to an audience, but something was missing. I couldn’t write or create. I was given a character and told to play that role. I wanted to story tell and share my life experiences through my dancing and singing. That’s how I ended up in the music industry. I wanted to create my own show.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?


Carolyn Marie: I always want to be true to myself so my artist name is my real first and middle name, Carolyn Marie. I knew that I wanted this to become my full time career so changing it an alternate identity just didn’t seem right for me.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?


Carolyn Marie: I have mixed feelings about this. It’s great that people are sharing and exploring new music and have access to other artists besides the mainstream. Giving away music for free is also a nice introduction for a potential new fan. My opinion is that it depends on where you’re at in your music career, but you should never give it away for free. Perhaps, in exchange for a download of your song a fan would have to sign up for your email list, “like” or “follow” you on your social media accounts, etc. Sharing is fantastic, but at the same time people need to remember that creating music is our lively hood, and it has value. Record sales become part of our income, which ultimately turns into more money to create more music.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?


Carolyn Marie: Play, play, play! Show you’re in demand. You may need to take some free shows to fill your schedule. No one wants to book someone who isn’t playing out all the time. The more time you have interacting with new people and leaving positive impressions the more likely you are to get new fans that keep coming out to your shows. Get out there! Also, always respond to fans on your social media accounts. They are taking the time to give you love. Show them you genuinely care!

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?


Carolyn Marie: Of course, everyone makes mistakes. I just take a deep breath and move on. There’s no need to dwell on the mistake. Then you’ll kill your confidence and make even more. In an industry that surrounds itself with the idea of perfection, you have to remember that you are human too.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?


Carolyn Marie: I have not toured. It is super expensive so I’m waiting for the right moment. I’ve played some opening gigs, and headlined some shows. Touring is the next step for me.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?


Carolyn Marie: Everyone and Everything, from waking up at 6am hating life to being madly in love, or single as hell and devilish. It is all reflected in my writing. I also have an eye for the many that go unnoticed and underappreciated. People and their experiences are very interesting to me. As far as my process, I have a very wide variety of ways I write. Sometimes it’s almost God sent and I’m quickly running to the bathroom to record the melody and lyrics to this song that just popped into my head. Other times, I know what I want to write about and sit down and brainstorm. I’m very private about it though. I need to know that I love what I wrote before anyone hears it.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?


Carolyn Marie: Yes, my website is www.carolynmariemusic.com. Here are the links to my social media accounts:
www.facebook.com/CarolynMariex3
Twitter/Instagram: @CarolynMariex3
www.vevo.com/artist/carolyn-marie

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?


Carolyn Marie: Haha, this is a good question.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?


Carolyn Marie: Isn’t that the dream? I’d write and record two albums as well as plan a radio promotion tour for the first album. I’d also plan the tour, get really awesome creative merch, and plan a few music videos. After the tours were over, I’d drop the second album and hope I could use the money from the first tour and record sales to promote the second!

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?


Carolyn Marie: Haha, I don’t have a studio. My iPhone and I do just fine to demo songs. I’m a simple girl.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?


Carolyn Marie: I promote my music in a number of ways. Social media of course is number one. It’s free and easy. You can’t be to overbearing though or you don’t seem genuine. Also, I promote at shows, and when someone asks what I do I tell them. Word of mouth goes far.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?


Carolyn Marie: Joan Jett at Madison Square Garden. She’s such a rebel child and I love to rock n’ roll!

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?


Carolyn Marie: My next project that will be releasing soon is the Take Back The Power music video feat. Eric LeGrand. It’s been long in the making, and I’m hoping to inspire others to believe in themselves. Also, I’m working on a full length album, but that’s all I can say!

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?


Carolyn Marie: Dancing. Dance is another passion of mine.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?


Carolyn Marie: The first album that I asked my lovely parents to buy me was probably Baby One More Time by my girl Britney Spears. All that was going through my head was it’s time to dance!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?


Carolyn Marie: I’m one of those people who loves to be super busy. I get anxious about having nothing to do, but music is also my number one priority besides family. Everything else comes second to it. I make to do lists to stay on task so I don’t aimlessly waste time. I also learned to put my phone away and not sign into social media accounts until all my work is done for the day. You’d be so surprised how much extra time you actually have.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?


Carolyn Marie: New music and performances. A lot of new music and shows! - Exposed Vocals

LONG HILL TWP. — Chasing a dream is a relentless task, but for Carolyn Marie, being busy is fine when you’re going after something special.



Since graduating from college at Rutgers Mason-Gross School of Arts, Marie has spent her time singing for any ears that will listen, with dreams of singing for stadiums full of ears.

Marie, 23, didn’t know she wanted to be a professional singer growing up. She spent the first few years of her life in Millington and then moved to Readington after first grade. Her father, Al Ferraro still owns Millington Auto Body.

Growing up and being entrenched in rural towns made it so Marie had to keep herself busy. She had no clue that what she did to pass the time as a child would be so dominant to her life as an adult.

“I’m in the middle of nowhere over here, so I was always dancing and acting and singing, because I was younger and had to entertain myself. I would like to write a lot of poetry and take as many creative classes as I could,” said Marie.

She said she always gravitated to the arts growing up, whether it was dance recitals, school plays, or poetry, but never anything that let her express her voice out loud.

That opportunity came during her first year at Rutgers, where she was practicing ballet.

“When I was in my freshman year my ballet teacher wanted me to audition for the show, and I had to sing for it,” said Marie, who hadn’t considered singing for an audience before.

After her first singing audition she got into “Kiss Me Kate” with the New Jersey Youth Theater. She then went on tour, performing “Kiss Me Kate” and “Smokey Joe’s Café,” right after.

She described the experience as an excellent time. “I really loved singing and dancing with them,” said Marie. But just like when she was growing up, singing and dancing to her own tune in her rural towns, Marie felt the desire to really share her own voice.

“I didn’t want to be directed anymore,” she explained. Just like that, she was back to her childhood, where writing music and singing for herself fueled the passion in her heart.

After graduating from Rutgers, Marie put her feet down and hit the path to a solo music career hard. She contacted producers, wrote as much music as she could, made backing tracks to sing along to, and searched for other musicians with whom she she could play live.

Marie called it all a part of a hard learning experience. She yearned to play live but needed a band to do so. It was difficult for her to get live gigs, and when she did something was a bit off.

“I started to do gigs with spot bands that my producers knew, but I couldn’t connect with them,” said Marie. With a revolving door of musicians, she couldn’t get the chemistry down the way she wanted.

“I had my pop songs and backing tracks, and it wasn’t as fulfilling to be alone and not in a band, and it was harder to gig. So I decided why not get a band together. Let’s get a set of covers and originals and do this.”

The 7:30 Players

For the last year and a half Marie has been playing with her band the 7:30 Players. Every Thursday through Saturday, Marie and the 7:30 Players try to book a venue.

Recently they’ve played in Hoboken, Branchburg, Manhattan, Philadelphia, and the legendary venue where all New Jersey-born artists have to pass through as an initiation rite, The Stone Pony.

“Right now I feel very comfortable with everyone in my band,” said Marie, who is excited that she has people who are close and she trusts to play with on the weekends, while also having time to work on her solo career.

The 7:30 Players play top 40s and mix in some of their own originals. Although Marie has a smoother voice on her more pop sounding solo song, she breaks out her rough vocals for the band.

“I have the gruff in my voice like a Joan Jett kind of thing,” Marie described.

She spoke on her love for the singers like Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin, but when it’s just her and a studio she sees herself in more of a Katy Perry zone.

As far as Perry’s lyrics, Marie loves the more inspiring type of pop music she puts out rather than materialistic pop music.

“I kind of find myself going to an uplifting place and put a positive twist on everything I put out. I don’t want to put out things that are a bad influence on anyone,” said Marie. Although she didn’t rule out becoming edgier in the future.

For now, Marie is living in the moment, something she’s worked hard to do. On Feb. 12th she turned 24 and all the work she’s put in the last few years allowed her to celebrate her birthday a little harder this year.

Marie will be giving herself the best birthday present she could ask for, launching her single and music video, “The Moment.”

With her lack of a city life that leads to music studio connections, she believes her uplifting style will carry to great heights. Hopefully her music will lead others like her as well. - Echoes Sentinel

Readington, NJ, March 06, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Carolyn Marie attend the Lehigh Valley Music Awards on Sunday March 3, 2019. The performer was nominated for 2 awards, winning the fan voted "Discovered Artist Award." Carolyn recently came off of having a great year with the release of her self titled album. Carolyn was placed on the Grammy Ballot nominations list for 3 different categories by the Recording Academy.

Carolyn Marie has captured the hearts of fans with her honest lyrics, catchy melodies, and smooth moves on the dance floor. Playing a blend of today's best music, the songs you've known and loved your whole life, as well as her artfully crafted originals, she gives the audience an unforgettable live experience. Both of her brand new singles "Man Eater" and "Wanna Be Cool" premiered on Popdust to rave reviews. With her original music being featured in iconic media outlets like J-14 Magazine, AXS TV, CelebMix, and the California Music Chanel, she also slays the cover game putting her own twist on yesterday's and today's top hits. In September 2019, Carolyn Marie joined the roster of Sleepless Mind Entertainment under the management of Ryan Galway.

For more information please visit https://www.carolynmariemusic.com/epk - Benzinga