When you hear the easygoing pop melodies in Marianne Keith’s songs, you almost want to get in your car, escape your everyday reality and just go on a road trip with her music playing. Full blast. Keith was born and raised in Redlands, California and grew up being immersed in music whether it was teaching herself acoustic guitar or singing along with the radio. You can hear the infectious pop sounds of the Beatles, Elton John, Carol King, Stevie Wonder, and more on her songs from “Beautiful Distraction,” and “Unspoken.” Where does she get her motivation? Well, let’s just say that Marianne Keith is motivated by the ebb and flows in relationships whether its the innocence lost in a child or losing love which we all know can be the greatest heartbreak of all. She says,

“I went from thinking that people are generally good, that people have good hearts and come from a good place to realizing that’s not necessarily true. I saw an ugly side of the world. I don’t know if that crisis measures up to some of the ones that others have been through, but I’ll never be quite the same.”

I got a chance to ask Marianne a few questions about her sophomore album, “Cathartic,” her thoughts on American Idol, and how she’s using social media to get her music out there for all her fans to enjoy.
Marianne, great to have you with us. So tell us about the day you decided to be a singer/songwriter.
I think I was about 14, and I had always loved singing…but I wanted to take it a step further and really write my own music and play an instrument. So, I started taking steps toward that.

What were your musical influences growing up? How have they had an effect on your sound?
Growing up, I listened to my parent’s music really which included artists like The Eagles, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, and Linda Ronstadt and many others.They have definitely had an influence on my sound. I still prefer that kind of classic, great singer/songwriter sound that I really emulate and admire.

In your sophomore album, “Cathartic,” I really like the vibe of “Meant to Be An Angel,” and wanted to know what inspired you to write those lyrics?
Thank you! “Meant to Be an Angel” is a very special song to me. I wrote it in, what was for me, up to this point in my life, my darkest hour. Lyrically, it examines the emotion and the question “do I have what it takes?” just to keep going. I felt at that time that I wasn’t cut out to make it in this world. It is the result of a loss of innocence, and a change of world-view for me. I wasn’t sure that in light of what I had learned, I could keep going. But, I want people to also feel a sense of hope, because I made it through that time.

You can definitely hear that in that song. So, what is your songwriting process like?
It varies. Usually I will start with they lyrics. Something inspires me and I just go with it. Sometimes it feels like it just flows through me and I’m not responsible for the outcome. But then there are times that I will just get a melody in my head or a chord progression, and that is the start of it. For me, the smallest thing can lead to a song, a good example of this is my song “Cathartic”.

You’re a true artist. Well, what do you think of American Idol? Are you a fan of the show? What are your thoughts on the changing landscape of the music industry?
In my opinion, American Idol is not about artists and music, it is about advertising and ratings. Through the rubble, they do find some great singers, but it’s not really about the art of music. No offense to the winners or competitors, because many of them are talented singers and performers, but I see it more as a glorified karaoke competition.

As far as the changing landscape of the music industry, I believe with all things, the pendulum continues to swing all the way to one side and then the other. We are now living in a digital age of pitch correction and lip syncing. I have never and will continue not to buy into it, and it makes me sad to see all the soul go out of music, but there are plenty of great artists out there that are the real deal and I believe the trend is going to head back toward an authentic artist. And with the major labels losing money and going under, the machine that has become the music industry will have to change with that. I am hopeful that the pendulum is about to swing.

You have a huge online presence. Do you enjoy being so accessible to your fans online? Or are you an uber private person?
I do really enjoy being accessible to fans! I am pretty outgoing and in general I am interested in people, and connecting with them. As a songwriter, it is my hope to reach people, so I enjoy that.

Very cool. Who would you love to collaborate with in terms of other artists, songwriters or producers?
I had a chance to work with so many great artists on this record, it was more than I really had hoped for, but if I had to name one or two, I would love to work with Carole King or Brandi Carlile. They are two amazing female artists I really look up to and would love to write with them. It would be a great honor.

Top 5 songs in your ipod?
Aimee Mann- Freeway
Jay Buchanan- Internal Dialogue
Brandi Carlile- Wasted
Whiskeytown- Don’t Wanna Know Why
Acceptance- Take Cover

Last meal on earth?
Spaghetti! with garlic bread!

Favorite drink?
Starbucks black iced tea

We’re an online women’s magazine filled with opinionated writing. What inspirational words would you have to give to our readers about following their passions/goals in life?
I love that you ladies are just that I am a fellow opinionated woman, passed down from my mother. As far as anyone pursuing a passion, I would just advise that it is a long road, filled with difficulty; but if it is what you love, nothing in this world can be more rewarding and fulfilling. Give it all you have, have faith, and don’t let others discourage you.

Check out Marianne’s latest single, “Meant to Be An Angel.”

Photo Courtesy of Mike Houser