Mariah Belgrod – Team Player

By starrymag | December 16, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My sound is very much like myself – complex. It depends on my mood and my writing one hundred percent and it is constantly evolving. That’s what made “Team Player” so special to me – I am redefining myself as an artist. I feel like most times it sticks around the upbeat, catchy, empowering and fun vibes, but I have definitely been writing some more moody and emotional music that I am excited to test the waters with.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Queen, Anne Marie, Charlotte Lawrence, Maisie Peters, Astrid S

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Team Player.”

 

A) “Team Player” is an empowering and bold pop track written a few years ago over a Skype call with my now fiancé, Jeffrey. We were playing around with melodies and wrote a majority of the song and let it sit for a while. The song was written in less than an hour. That’s how simple and right it felt to us. After we came back to it and wanted to take it to the next level, I had experienced so much that made me feel connected to the track that much more. I had recently gone through a weird ending of a friendship and it made me realize that if people aren’t being a “Team Player” it’s okay to tell them to play on. I hope my listeners feel empowered to make those moves too.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It totally depends on the listener. If you are someone who listens to the melody of a song, it is the perfect song to go on a run, drive in the car and dance around in your room to. If you are someone who listens to the lyrics, it is a great song to feel empowered to leave behind a bad situation and have someone just play on.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video is a visual representation of the way the song makes me feel. It shows moments of me being independent, dancing and having a good time. All things that this track makes me feel above and beyond. It also shows moments of me being stood up by someone on a date, realizing they’re not putting in the work to the relationship – only by the end of the video to show that relationships are always better when both people are being team players. The video was super fun to film throughout Seattle with Rogue Rider Films.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Songwriting had always been something that was extremely intimidating to me. Once I began doing it though, I felt like I was missing out on lost words. I had ideas flowing and so much to say. Honestly, a lot of music comes to me when I am thinking the least. I write a lot in my sleep when I am dreaming. That’s when ideas really start flowing. My process is to take the melodies that come and feel out what words or sounds are most natural in the phrasing. From there, I write around what makes sense and what I am feeling. Being someone who is extremely empathetic (feels all the feels), lyrics and melodies are more than words on paper – they’re stories.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I love to be as involved as I can in the production process. When I have a song that has potential, I can hear exactly what I want in the final product, so it is great to have a producer that can understand and execute that vision. I like to experiment and be involved in my songs at each level to make sure the best product is being shared to the world!

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future? 

 

A) I am at a point where I have material built up enough to release a full EP and I am in the stages of developing what I want from a release and what art I want to give my supporters. This winter I’ll be taking a ton of time to evaluate, record and announcing things to come in the near future!

 

Q) We love your Smule Sing! App videos! What advice would you give to people just starting to use the app?

 

A) Have fun, be consistent, join groups and be engaged in the community. With Smule (and most social media apps) you get as much as you put in.

 

Q) Why are mental health awareness and empowerment causes that are so close to your heart? 

 

A) Mental health awareness is so important to me because when I was younger and going through things, I thought I was the only one. I didn’t have people I looked up to talking about the hard days. Social media was filled with perfect pictures – perfect lives – and comparison is truly the thief of joy. I wanted to be a platform for people who were in my boat to maybe have someone they look up to experiencing what they are. If I would have known about my anxiety//depression earlier, how to manage it and have been comfortable talking about it – I would have made different decisions and been more confident in myself. It’s time to break the stigma and normalize mental health as a topic that is not taboo.

Empowering my listeners goes hand in hand with mental health and the confidence that blossoms from feeling empowered by numbers. I strive to empower other artists, especially female artists in the music industry. I aspire to vouch for them, mention their name in rooms full of opportunities and be a support system throughout growth in the music industry. Being in situations where I have been taken advantage of in this industry, I would never want that to happen to another artist. So, I love to be an open book and leave the door open for them to know they have someone there for them!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I live in Seattle, Washington and I have found that my favorite place time and time again to perform at is the Paragon. I truly miss performing there. The owners are so kind and really care for the artists that come in. I find a lot of venues I have performed at do not want to celebrate the artist – they don’t want to pay you for your time, they leave you to fend for yourself when you arrive in terms of sound check, start time, EVERYTHING. I can always go to Paragon knowing I am in good hands and that they want the best for me. Caring goes a long way and I will always find time to come to Paragon whenever I come to Seattle! P.S. The food and drinks are also phenomenal – always a plus.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) It would be a dream to collaborate with Anne Marie on a track one day! She just seems like someone I would absolutely love to hang out with already, so making music together would be a cherry on top. I love her energy, infectious personality and musicality. Working with her is definitely on my bucket list!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I absolutely LOVE everything Maisie Peters puts out. Her lyricism, quirky melodies, soothing tone and everything about her is inspiring to me. I love how she interacts with her fans, constantly leaking new music [laughs] and she’s on a path that I want to be on.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media can extend so many barriers to make new friends and fans! I have fans from almost every country in the world and it is amazing that it wouldn’t be possible without social media. Despite language and culture barriers, I can connect with my fans through the power of music and positivity. I feel so lucky!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you! I seriously would not be able to have the opportunities and growth that I do without my supporters. The constant encouragement, enjoyment of my music and love that I receive make all the hard work totally worth it.