“One impatient girl” is how Marie (pronounced Mar-ee-AY), 26, is described by those close to her. As a toddler, she started taking piano and guitar lessons and, inspired by her favorite artists (Martin Sexton, Beth Orton and Poe among them), started writing songs. She didn’t stop there.
The daughter of a Japanese mother and an Irish-American father, Marie entered a national songwriting contest sponsored by Pantene. Her winning piece, Miss Invisible, won the top prize. It wouldn’t be long before she signed up with Hollywood Records in 2002.It was five years later, in May 2007, that she did Umbrella which became such a huge hit on YouTube that her home company made Marie record that song along with the cover of Linkin Park’s What I’ve Done and two of Marie’s original songs (Stupid For You and Unfold which is the title track of her debut CD). Her second album, Breathing Underwater, was recently released locally by MCA Music.
This Saturday, Aug. 1, Fearless Productions, in cooperation with MCA Music, Music Management Inc. 89.9, GMA 7 and MTV Philippines, is presenting Marie Digby Live in Manila at the NBC Tent at The Fort, Taguig City. Marie arrived this morning from L.A. where she is based.
Here are excerpts from an e-mail interview Funfare did with Marie over the weekend:
How and when did you decide to cover Umbrella?
“I was driving in my car two summers ago when the song Umbrella came on the radio. I loved the song immediately, went home and recorded my cover about 20 minutes later. I spent 15 minutes arranging my acoustic version of it and then recorded the video. I did it so quickly that I mispronounced, not ‘um-buh-rella’ as Rihanna pronounced it.”
Have you actually met Rihanna? If you did, what was her comment on your cover version?
“I have never met Rihanna and have never heard from her as to whether or not she likes the cover. But I sincerely hope that she likes it.”
Tell us about your new album Breathing Underwater (released in the Philippines last week).
“Breathing Underwater is a snapshot of my life recently. I’ve gone through quite the emotional rollercoaster...getting off worldwide touring for Unfold, starting new relationships, and having a generally different perspective on life. I think those changes were captured in the songs that make up the album.”
Do you remember the first song that you performed live?
“It was called Cold Coffee and I sang it to my high school classmates when I was 18.”
Who are some of your musical influences?
“I love Portishead, Smashing Pumpkins, Imogen Heap, Chopin and Jimi Hendrix.”
Is there any one else in your family that sings?
“My sisters are incredibly talented singers but they wouldn’t dare sing in front of people! I have a feeling if they did, they’d be a lot better than me.”
What have been the changes in your life since you became a performer?
“My life is a lot more chaotic in the best way. I feel so grateful that I do what I love everyday of my life and have made it a career.
I get stopped by my fans here and there when I’m out and I’m always appreciative to hear how my music has affected their life.”
What have you heard about the Philippines?
“I’ve heard that the Filipinos are incredibly welcoming and warm. Also that they are huge music fans. If both of those things are true, I think I am sure to have an amazing trip.”
What can we expect from your concert in Manila on Aug. 1?
“I will be playing a mix of old songs and new songs. I tried to find the perfect mix of favorites from Unfold as well as the most important tracks from Breathing Underwater.”
Source: http://ph.yahoo.com
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