Name: Mary Lambert
Age: 28
Job Title: Poet/Singer-Songwriter
College Name and Major: Cornish College of the Arts, Bachelor of Music (composition)
Website: www.marylambertsings.com
Twitter: @marylambertsing
Instagram: @marylambertsing
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
ML: My days are bizarre and not static at all. I appreciate the fluid nature of being an artist and am grateful for the flexibility it allows. About two years ago, I left both my management and my record label in order to reclaim my day-to-day, my sense of self, and my artistic vision. That departure has changed my life! I used to have a schedule in which I could not take care of myself, my health, hold relationships, and worst of all, I had no idea what was actually going on. I was severely disconnected from all aspects of my work. Now, as an independent poet/artist/pop singer, my job entails writing emails, doing graphic design, scheduling, negotiating, delegating and working with my team, booking logistics, designing and conceptualizing merchandise, packing and shipping merchandise, on top of finding time to actually––you know––create! When I am in the studio or carve out weeks to write, I try to re-balance the administrative work so I don’t make myself crazy. When I’m not doing those things, I am touring, which is a whole ‘nother set of tasks!
What is the best part of your job?
ML: THAT I GET TO CREATE AND PEOPLE WANT TO BUY WHAT I MAKE???? It’s literally insane!!! I just make stuff and hope it’s not shit, and then people are like, “yeah, this isn’t shit. I will buy this.” AND THAT’S HOW I LIVE.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
ML: My first gig as a musical artist was when I was 13. I had been writing songs for five years or so, and I felt that I had a strong set of about eight songs. I practiced and practiced and decided that I wanted to perform them for the public. I had heard that Jewel, my idol, had gotten her start performing in coffee shops, so pulled out the phone book and called every single coffee shop in our town. I asked: “Hi, are you looking for an in-house musician?” I got about 15 no’s and one maybe. That one maybe was a general manager at a local Starbucks who wanted to help someone like me out. The manager offered me a regular Friday night gig. He couldn’t pay me, but he did offer free drinks and allowed me to have my guitar case out! I ended up making out like a bandit- $50 a night as a 13-year-old wasn’t too shabby.
I ended up playing every Friday night for two years!
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
ML: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ― Howard Thurman
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
ML: I think something I continually learn is that no one knows what the fuck they are doing. If someone tells you how to do something, it’s because it worked for them. And that method, whatever it may be, could be an efficient route or a good idea, but if you feel compelled to take a different approach or if your instinct pulls you in another direction, FOLLOW THAT. Do work that makes you feel proud to come home.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
ML: Singing a duet at the Grammys with Madonna always seems like a hilarious joke that actually happened.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
ML: I have a very small team: one full-time assistant and three interns. When I hire someone, they need to be able to write a clear, concise email, and be enthusiastic about the work. I don’t care if they have experience in the field because the music industry is such a strange beast. I care if they have a good vibe! Touring with a group means the group dynamic is important, so I have to ask myself, “Does this person add, neutralize, or negatively impact the existing energy?” The schedule is also nuts. My poor assistant gets emails from me at 4 a.m. worrying about the van rental for the tour and has to endure long hours with the tour––sometimes 18 hour days. I think if I was a traditional artist on a major label it might be a lot worse. I take a lot of breaks and a lot of time off to spend time with the people I love, and I encourage my team to do so as well. So even though the tour is a bananas endeavor of 5-6 weeks in a van eating beef jerky, there is generally the same amount of time on vacation.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
ML: What makes you different than anyone else creating? Why does it matter? Does the work you make inadvertently harm the world? I would advise anyone entering in the music industry that it is a fickle, bizarre creature––that there are no sure bets. Trust your creative instinct. I was applying to graduate school to be a music teacher when “Same Love” fell onto my lap, and I really do believe that success happens when preparation meets opportunity- so do everything you can to be prepared when a door opens. For instance, I wrote four choruses for “Same Love” in an hour. I was determined to be the one that was the feature on that song. There are millions of talented people, artists far more talented than me. It was luck that I got the call, but it was hard work, practice, and diligence that allowed me to deliver.
What’s the one thing that’s stood out to you the most in a resume?
ML: Enthusiasm. Intellect. Joy.