Meet music artist from Singapore, MARICELLE.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hey, I’m MARICELLE and I make pop R&B music, with electronic beats and synthesized keys to create a dreamy and poetically melancholic atmosphere. “MOOD” is the first single off the new album I’m working on. I wrote it when I had been travelling alone and fell down a rabbit hole of introspection. It’s available for streaming on iTunes and Spotify. The album concept revolves around the idea of a multiverse, a place in my mind where everything has a thousand ways of happening and turning out, and settles with only one of those alternatives in this time and space.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I live in Singapore and right now we’re having a sort of lockdown that’s been named a ‘circuit breaker’ that’s lasting till next month. Singapore’s been really organised, transparent and feels safe to me right now. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be to weather this terrible storm. Staying home with the family has been nice too, since I’m always travelling, I’m grateful to be home now.

 

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be to weather this terrible storm.

 

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing is the food. We’re a melting pot of cultures and have so much variety, and local food is the bomb, like ‘Chicken Rice’ and ‘Laksa’ which is a noodle dish in coconut milk. You’ll have to come try it to know how awesome it is. The worst thing is probably the heat and humidity because we’re smack on the equator and tropical as can be.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Innovative, Supportive, Collaborative

 

How did you start your career in art?

I started writing songs and got deeper into the process. I’ve found the journey to bring me surprises and pleasant adventures. Now, writing music is cathartic to me and I’m enjoying conceptualizing my new project.

I wrote my first single ‘Lucky Ones’ and my first EP ‘Pursuit’ followed. I’ve never looked back and songwriting has become such a vessel for me.

 

I’ve found the journey to bring me surprises and pleasant adventures.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

I’ve been super fortunate to have a really supportive group of people through my journey, especially my manager and musicians that have been integral to the process. I’ve had some awesome songwriting sessions with other artists, and live shows are always fun to do. 

You find your own space to make your own. People are colorful and there are so many different types of characters here, you’d definitely find people to vibe with on whatever wavelength you’re on.

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I’m currently working on a new album “the multiverse of you and me” and I like where it is now and how it’s taking shape. I’m looking forward to working on it more, especially on a visual level. I’ve released one song “MOOD” from “the multiverse of you and me” album and can’t wait to release more soon.

 

I’m currently working on a new album “the multiverse of you and me” and I like where it is now and how it’s taking shape.

 

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I love collaborating and songwriting, it’s such an inspiring and exciting experience.  I’d love to collaborate more with songwriters and do more sessions. I’m into the R&B and pop space but mixing it up is always fun too. I’d love to collaborate with Honne and Lauv. They’re such talented songwriters and storytellers and I love the textures of their songs.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

They’re strong, loving, independent, caring, and can do anything. They support me and I’m so grateful for them.

 

They’re strong, loving, independent, caring, and can do anything. 

 

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Growing up in Los Angeles, I looked up to Beyonce and Ella Fitzgerald a lot. They both have such passion and confidence with their music in so many ways. They’ve inspired people (and me) made waves of changes in their journeys. Lately, I admire Halsey and Ariana Grande for their activism and what they stand and root for, especially inclusivity and women’s rights.

 

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I think there always will be challenges in any journey you take on, but I definitely have the right people who support me through those and boost me up above it. They let me create music more freely and enable me so much. I think if the music is most important, everything else is just hazy fodder.

 

Music can change the world, and even maybe if it only changes you that’s more than good enough.

 

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Music is such a dynamic space with so many possibilities. There is always a new adventure and emotionally interesting and it’s so universal. Music can change the world, and even maybe if it only changes you that’s more than good enough.

 

 

Photos courtesy of MARICELLE.