Natalie Marie is a talented 23 year old singer/songwriter based in South west London. Blending classically catchy pop melodies with heartfelt lyrics, Natalie’s work manages to be evocative and fun at the same time. “When I was little my Granddad used to play the piano and encouraged me to sing every time he played” says the petite blonde of her first memories of wanting to sing . “I guess the signs were there from the start, a natural born performer!”
Natalie grew up in Hertfordshire and moved to London about 5 years ago to pursue her love of music, first studying for a degree and later beginning to write material and work with like minded musicians on what would later become her debut EP “As I Am”. “I wanted to make music more than anything” says Natalie when quizzed on her choice to move to London. “I feel like this is what I was meant to do, everything about singing, writing songs and performing just makes sense to me.”
Growing up, Natalie’s first exposure to music was through her family, most notably her parents record collection. “Good old Motown!” She laughs recalling the discovery. “I loved the emotion in records by The Tempations ,Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. The way they expressed what they were feeling with such soul was totally captivating to me. I think that’s why I try and put so much into performances, a little bit of my own soul. It’s got to come from the heart.”
After moving to London and starting her degree, Natalie started to perform acoustic sets with a guitarist, writing and recording music as a duo. “It was fun to play acoustically” says Natalie, “but I wanted a fuller sound than you can achieve with only two people. The music needed to match the intensity of emotion that I was trying to express.”
In 2005 Natalie began work with production collective Unlicensed Media to realise this fuller sound. It was also her first foray into life as a solo artist.
“My main musical influences are all solo performers, people like Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson. So I guess it was a natural progression for me to want to express myself in that way.” Says Natalie when asked about the change. “ It meant I could develop what I was trying to say in my music, in a way be more connected to it. Hopefully that comes across in the songs.”
Anyone who has heard Natalie’s work cannot help but agree with the feisty 23 year old. Whether on stage or record, her performances always seem to manifest themselves from a place close to her innermost thoughts. “Some people bottle their feelings up, some write their thoughts down in a diary, I pour mine into songs. If people can relate to what I am saying then that is such a rewarding feeling, creating a connection that wasn’t there before.”
“As I Am” is out now on iTunes, and Natalie hopes to get back into the studio in 2008. “I’m playing regularly around London at the moment and the reception has been really good. People keep asking me when I’m going to make another record, so I don’t want to keep them waiting too long!” Along with plenty of live appearances and promoting her work, 2008 looks set to be another busy year for Natalie Marie!
