Philadelphia has always produced a different kind of soul singer — artists shaped by church pews, long rehearsals, real life, and raw emotion before the industry ever gets involved. Mare comes from that lineage, but Becoming isn’t about recreating the past. It’s about finally stepping out from behind the spotlight and owning her voice completely.
There’s nothing forced about the way Mare makes music. No chasing trends. No overproduction. Just honesty, restraint, gospel-rooted harmonies, and emotion that sits right at the surface. The first single, “Nothing,” feels less like a debut and more like a release — intimate, vulnerable, and deeply lived in.
After years performing alongside artists like Lauryn Hill, Sam Smith, Lizzo, and The Bacon Brothers, Mare now turns the lens inward on Becoming. The album isn’t about proving she can sing — that’s obvious immediately. It’s about growth, self-acceptance, and finally becoming the artist she was always meant to be.
Our Mare interview takes us into the project, her story as an artist, and much more. Check it out here.
Parlé Mag: “Nothing” feels stripped in a way that makes every note matter. What did you have to let go of to make a song that exposed?
Mare: I believe in transparency and letting my life story speak in ways that aren’t always literal, but felt through pain and emotion from some of my challenges. After caretaking my 96-year-old father for a few years, coming home every day wasn’t the easiest thing to do. After a long day of being with him, instead of crying myself to sleep, I sat down at the piano and composed and wrote this song in 20 minutes. “Nothing” was birthed through releasing the pain I felt from being with him on that particular day.
Parlé Mag: Becoming is a powerful title. What version of yourself are you stepping into on this record?
Mare: I am becoming more fearless and intentional about not only who I am as an artist, but as a person. There’s only one me, and I can’t run from my upbringing, my personality, or my character. In previous songs, and even in different seasons of life, I felt like I tried to do that. I know that I’m becoming who I’m supposed to be.
Parlé Mag: Your music carries gospel, classical, and soul without feeling divided. How do those worlds speak to each other in your sound?
Mare: Knowing how to give a little of everything has always been something I believe I’m good at. Also, while actively carrying the role of musical director, background vocalist, and supporting keyboardist in the music industry, I automatically have to separate those worlds while blending them into who I am. My life is this every day, so I’m grateful I’m able to transfer that approach into my songs.
Parlé Mag: You’ve spent years behind the scenes as a vocalist and bandleader. What shifted for you to step fully into the spotlight?
Mare: It has a lot to do with the title of the album. I always wanted to be the lead vocalist when I was younger. I have flashbacks of singing with a lotion bottle in my room while playing YouTube performances from top artists, wishing and praying I would be on stage one day. God continued to place me in certain rooms not for me to settle there, but to build my own, and this is what I’ve finally decided to do.
Parlé Mag: Singing in church as a child versus performing now—what part of that early connection still shows up today?
Mare: I think a lot of music is missing passion today. In church, there’s a type of singing you don’t really hear or experience outside of it. It requires you to think higher and go to a different kind of place while you’re singing or playing an instrument. I take that with me now. My songs may not always be written directly about the Lord, but I’m directing everything back to Him. For me, it’s the passion behind what I do that helps connect me to it in a real way.
Parlé Mag: You’ve shared stages with artists across genres. What did those experiences teach you about your own voice?
Mare: It taught me that my voice carries very chameleon-like traits. To go from a hardcore Hip-Hop set to Americana or country, then to subtle-toned R&B sets, are huge contrasts. But I’ve been able to make it work across all those worlds while blending myself into them. That’s something I’m actually very proud of because it’s not an easy task.
Parlé Mag: “Nothing” leans into space and restraint. How important is silence in your music?
Mare: In a world that’s constantly moving and relying on the next thing, restraint is very important to me. I appreciate this question because, as artists, it’s difficult now. Everybody feels like they have to be doing something every second just to be seen. However, I strongly believe in stillness. So even in a song like “Nothing,” I’m glad to hear that it was heard and felt.
Parlé Mag: Self-producing Becoming puts you fully in control. What did that process unlock for you creatively?
Mare: Moving at my own speed and pace was wonderful. This is something I’ve always been able to do, but this project pushed me to another level with my work style. More than anything, I’m excited to get back into the studio.
Parlé Mag: There’s a vulnerability in your songwriting that doesn’t feel performative. How do you protect that honesty?
Mare: I’m already an introvert, so there’s not much talking I do outside of the people who truly know me. The protection is natural. I enjoy the mystery about myself, while also opening up and giving just enough for people to enjoy and form an idea of who I am.
Parlé Mag: Philly has such a deep musical lineage. How does that history show up in your work, if at all?
Mare: Our hustle, our grind, and our tenacity show up. The way we play and the way we don’t care about what other people think or feel comes through in our musicianship and work ethic. I’ve admired so many of the greats from Philly, and I’m a testament to its greatness.
Parlé Mag: What do you hope people sit with after hearing Becoming from start to finish?
Mare: I hope they enjoy it most of all and continue coming back to it frequently. It’s a feel-good album, but there are also many lessons throughout that people can carry with them.
Parlé Mag: Right now, in this moment—what does “becoming” feel like to you?
Mare: Home. Listen to track 10.
Stay Connected with Mare
Instagram: @inmareland
Linktree: Mare
