Marielle Kraft is a junior at the University of Delaware and is involved in more clubs than you even knew existed on campus. But that’s not what makes her the campus celebrity of the week. When she was a sophomore in high school, Marielle taught herself the guitar and began writing her own music soon after. Now, her music is featured on iTunes, Spotify, and several music distribution sites. She performs at concerts and records covers that go viral (a.k.a. 36,000 views on Youtube!). Not to mention that people in over thirty-five countries have downloaded her music. Check out this interview and be sure to click the link at the bottom to watch her brand new cover video, released today!
Major: Elementary Education with a concentration in Middle School English
Minor: English
Involvement on Campus: Honors Program, Orientation Leader, Club Lacrosse Team, NACURH Conference Entertainment Co-Chair, Student Alumni Ambassador, Sign Language Club, SCPAB.
How did you start your musical career and how has it evolved since then?
MK: I started seriously playing guitar and developing myself as a musician my sophomore year of high school. The first time I ever performed live was at my high school talent show; that was also when I started to write my own music. I didn’t start actually sharing my music with people until I graduated. I wrote and recorded my first EP, “Today Tomorrow Someday”, in the Spring of 2014 and it was released on July 9. I had to go through a copyright and distribution process that allowed for my music to be published and protected. Through that process, my music was accepted to be distributed through iTunes, Spotify, and other music distribution services.
How successful was that first EP?
MK: It was actually really well received; I shared it with my friends and family and anyone who had had a hand in influencing it. They were my support system. But outside my world of people I have been so surprised by how many others have found my music and responded to it. I originally released it on Noisetrade (www.noisetrade.com/marielle) as a free download, and I ended up being featured as the “New and Notable Artist” for two weeks straight. Because of that publicity, people from over thirty-five countries have downloaded my music, which is just insane.
What has been the best part of your music taking off?
MK: I think my favorite part is that when I perform live for people, they’ve started to actually know the words to my original songs and they sing along. That is one of my biggest dreams that has come true. It’s like, I wrote these songs on my bedroom floor two years ago, and now I don’t even know who you are but you’re singing my words right back to me. Not to mention that every once in awhile I get a fun little check in the mail from iTunes.
You started sharing your music by first releasing cover videos on Youtube, which people have really responded to. What is your favorite cover that you have done?
MK: Style by Taylor Swift, which was last November.
Since your songs are originals, written by you, do you ever get nervous that some people might react poorly?
MK: People who know me know that my music is about me and my actual life and events that have actually happened. So naturally, when I play my music for them, they can put the pieces together and figure out the story. That’s pretty scary because they can look inside and know my thoughts and emotions which I might not have shared with them before they heard this song. But that is also the most exciting part about my music: it brings an air of mystery yet leaves me vulnerable at the same time.
What is your current favorite song?
MK: Honey, Fire by Aaron Krause
Who is your biggest inspiration?
MK: This may sound cliche, but Taylor Swift. The way she has sustained her incredible career for over a decade and has continued to change the industry as an artist while staying true to her songwriting roots is something that any artist strives to achieve. Isn’t there a little piece in all of us that wants to be Tswift?
Check out Marielle’s newest cover here!