CHAT WITH MARJORIE MAYE

Q- Why is that?
A- Young girls because of the pop stuff I've written for lots of young artists.  I co-wrote “Strawberry Kisses," the single for Nikki Webster, this incredible 12 year old artist in Australia.  Same song was then translated into Portuguese and released with Brazils Pop Star winners, a girl's group on Sony called "Rouge" they went 10x platinum. The middle aged Men and older Women, tend to be more familiar with artists like "Celine Dion", and would be most likely listening to the adult contemporary music.
Q- Who is your best audience? Why?
A- Teens.  I have written a lot of young pop music, because it was so in demand for a while, but now the audience is growing, thankfully, and the lyrical content can get deeper.
Q- What are your best qualities as an artist?                                                 A- My versatility and my tenacity. Q- And as a woman?
A- My sensitivity.
Q- Tell me about the best few lines you wrote?
A- It's hard to choose my favorite, but I really like this one: "she can hear the whispers at the garden wall
she can feel the rhythm as the thoughtless ocean rolls
Over castles in the sand that couldn¹t stand the test of time
All that¹s left is what she gets from living in her mind" -- Verse from  "She Dreams". Q- And the very first lines of the very first song you wrote?
A- First song I ever wrote was back in 1989, it was called " Time for Déjà vu"
First lines were:
"I've lived it all before, I¹ve cried these tears and more
It seems like déjà vu whenever I see you"
Q- And what happened next? Did you keep what you wrote, store it, forget about it or sell it?
A- I demoed it.  Never placed it with an artist though.
Q- Does it happen to you (sometimes) that some superstars with whom you work don't like your music or lyrics?
A- If they are working with me they usually like most of what I do.  But, sure, sometimes I’ll need to change a few lines, because the artist is relating to most of it, but doesn’t feel a particular line is true to who they are, or sometimes the artist is very young, and a line needs to be changed because it’s too suggestive.
Q- Then, how you deal with it? What do you do next?
A- I usually make the edits.  I want the artist to really feel the song in their heart.  If they don’t believe it, how can their audience.
Q- Have you ever had any unpleasant experience on stage, with producers, singers, peers?
A- Not really.  I must just be lucky, I haven’t had any kinds of problems.  I work, with the coolest group of writers producers and singers.                                 Q- Did you write your "masterpiece" or not yet?
A- I don’t think I’ve created it quite yet. I’ve written some really solid songs, some of which I’m especially proud of. Unfortunately, the ones that get cut and become hits are not always the ones you love most.

Q- Any advice to all those aspiring artists who need a break?
A- Surround yourself with the most amazing undiscovered talent you can find. Today's demo singer who nobody knows, or the great arranger working in his basement may one day be the next big sensation, so just work with talented people and be loyal to them. Most successful artists come with camps of people who got them there. Q- What they should do when they are rejected?
A- Stick around. Don¹t give up and don¹t take it too personally, hone your craft and keep going.  Don't get jaded.  People can tell when you are.  Stay positive and keep creating, and when you've created the best thing you think you can create, start something else and make it even better.
Q- What are the 3 most important qualities in a writer and a composer?
A- Wit, versatility and humility.
Q- Do you have those qualities?
A- I¹d like to think so.
Q- And the 3 most important strengths?
A- Creativity, Cleverness, and the inability to settle
Q- Your favorite foreign singers and songwriters?
A- Dan Hill is one of my favorite writers and Celine is one of my favorite singers, both are from Canada, does that count as foreign?
As for overseas artists, I'd say Andrea Bocelli.
Q- And American favorite torch singers?
A- It would have to be Whitney Houston.  
Q- Do you get mad sometimes?
A- Sure.
Q- What makes you mad?
A- Stupidity and incompetence.
Q- And do you make people mad at You?                     A- Sure. Who doesn't?                                                   Q- Did your good looks help you in your career?
A- A pleasant appearance seldom hurts.  So yes, it may have helped in meeting industry professionals. But I always remember what my father told me, "Good looks may get you in the door, but they won't keep you in the room. Once you have their attention, you better have the substance to back it up."
Q- Do you produce other's work?
A- I mostly produce what I write.
Q- What do you require as a prerequisite from those aspiring artists who knock on your doors?
A- Some sort of vocal sample and a photo.  It doesn't have to be a fully produced demo, it could be as simple as a piano vocal, you can usually tell when someone has that something special right away.
Q- Do you go by the book in giving a chance to others, or just you follow your intuitions?
A- Intuition.

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