Exclusive Interview with Karen Marrolli

Karen Marrolli is a singer-songwriter based in Santa Fe, NM. Called “provocative” and “powerful” by listeners, her songwriting is autobiographical and stems from influences that range from piano-driven singer-songwriters such as Tori Amos and Regina Spektor to the acoustic folk sounds of Americana and Irish Traditional Music. She is also an accomplished composer and conductor of choral music. Karen has recorded two full CDs: Stealing Fire, recorded at the CMP studio at Santa Fe Universty of Art and Design in 2012; and her first self-produced effort, Evolution, in 2014. She will release a 4 song EP, Twilight Songs, in March of 2015.

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Exposed Vocals found me on Twitter, actually. I looked up the site and it looked to be a great resource for independent musicians.

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

I’m from NJ originally, and there was never a time that I didn’t want to be an artist of some sort. I’ve always been a musician, and I was heavily into visual art and writing in elementary and middle school. I wrote my first song when I was 12, which morphed into classical composition by the time I was 18… And I left songwriting behind at that point. I studied composition as an undergrad and then went heavily into conducting. Once I finished my graduate work, I actually didn’t write much at all, save for the occasional special request, until I came out to NM after finishing my doctorate in conducting. It was then that I really started writing (various kinds of musical works) and returned to songwriting as a more intimate way to work through some personal issues that had arisen. That was only a few years ago, but my songwriting has steadily evolved since then. I feel like the Southwest has been an entry point for me with regard to getting in touch with “the source.”

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

I have never actually given away free downloads yet, but I do think there is something to the idea that you can give yourself exposure that way. I know when I have encountered getting free mp3s and, through doing so, discovered that I liked the artist, I was very apt to go out and purchase their work. So it’s something I’m considering doing, maybe even very soon.

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?

I feel like I’m still in the startup phase! Networking with other local musicians and teaming up to do shows is a great thing. You get to share the work, and perhaps bring in two different crowds. Their folks get exposed to your work, and vice versa. Also, just in general don’t be afraid to seek out setting up your own gigs. If you book studio time, some of those studios have radio stations that play recordings made there (we have two of those here in Santa Fe). Also, check out MusicXray or sites like it that show you options for getting airplay. That’s how I ended up on Women of Substance Radio.

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

Oh sure. You just keep going and don’t look like you’ve made a mistake. I’ve vamped and made up whole sections because I’ve forgotten words. You just need to look like it’s what you intended to do.

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

I haven’t toured yet. Mostly I do local shows every few months… But I am planning to seek out a few one-time gigs in different cities.

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

I often just hear songs. Sometimes I will hear someone say something or read a short phrase and a door will swing open and I’ll just hear a whole song very quickly. Or sometimes someone will trigger an emotion that causes a song to appear. Sometimes they come in little chunks over several months. I’m very trained as a composer, so I know how to put things together, but I have tended to wait and let the songs come to me. Those are always better- never forced, just the truth. My songs are very autobiographical, so they come primarily from my experiences or from people I encounter. My inspirations tend to be growth, overcoming obstacles, grief, or people that have an impact on you just by being in the world.

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

I have an overall website: www.karenmarrolli.com. It covers the various facets of what I do musically, and there is also a blog. As for online platforms, I use Bandcamp (karenmarrolli.bandcamp.com), Reverbnation (reverbnation.com/karenmarrolli), and the Standing ‘O’ Project, which is a socially responsible musical streaming site (https://standingoproject.com/artist/karenmarrolli).

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

“Play That Funky Music?” I don’t really believe in songs being embarrassing or in the idea of “guilty pleasures.” If you like it, you need to stand up and own it. 🙂

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

I’m sure I would travel to Scotland or Ireland. But I’m not sure I would take a year off, really, unless you consider that a year off for me would be a year without conducting rehearsals, which would free me up to rent a studio and do a recording. I have a little experience with self recording and loved the process of tracking and mixing, so I would most likely immerse myself in that. I tend to love recording whether I or someone else is in the driver’s seat, actually.

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

No planned upgrades as of yet, although I would love to get a proper audio setup for my office (panels, bass traps, etc.) I work with ProTools and a modest mic setup, but my music is fairly simple to record. For my last small project I actually went to a local studio, Frogville, and recorded there with Bill Palmer, who is great. I’ve worked with a few engineers and always learn tons from watching and talking with them.

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

I’m still trying to learn about this myself. I think going out and playing for people is important, even if it’s something informal like an open mic or a show you set up yourself. As for online, I’m just starting to get into networking on Twitter and I think it’s going to be a really valuable tool.

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

George Harrison. Because George Harrison. I’m also a big fan of Michael Nesmith, and the way he weaves visual vignettes into performing his songs- what he calls “Movies of the Mind.” As songwriters, we’re both sonic and visual artists, I think. So there’s a lot of creative potential there! I also think working with someone whose style I admire but that I haven’t quite gotten to in my own work would really add another dimension- the avant garde nature of Thom Yorke or the industrial sound of Trent Reznor, for example.

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

Right now I’m working on how to release my new EP, Twilight Songs. The song “Sanctuary” is from that group. It’s a departure because I’ve primarily done piano-driven music, and these songs have more guitar and are folkier in nature. That will drop sometime in the spring.

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

Probably counseling- something to help other people.

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

I think my first album was the Thriller album, actually. I was so young at the time that I don’t remember having any particular thoughts about it.

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

Good question. Time management is key. Also, making time for things that feed you so that you can have the energy to juggle. I like to run, so that’s one way I can “reset.”

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Twilight Songs, for one, and hopefully a few single releases throughout the rest of the year. I’m going to experiment with self-recording a perhaps more pop-oriented track called “Siren.” And I’d love to go back into the studio with Bill Palmer and record a song I wrote on New Year’s Day called “Until,” another more laid-back acoustic track. And perhaps some streaming shows on Concert Window. I suppose the only limit is what we can imagine!

Randy M

Since 2008, I've been dedicated to supporting unsigned artists through ExposedVocals.com, evolving from platform creation to in-depth music reviews and artist discovery. I showcase talent, amplify voices, and share industry insights from legends to empower the next generation of musicians.