At age three, Mariah MacFarlane developed what she can only describe as “rhythmic blabbering on some form of pitch.” At age five, she learned how to play the piano. And now, years later, the sophomore musical theater major has become a full-fledged musician with quite the resumé that includes a recording contract, writing and composing original music, and opening not once, but twice for State Radio. Her accomplishments could be attributed to her hard work, or possibly to the rare condition she has known as Kiara, which makes her more adept at picking up music and language.
MacFarlane discovered the Kiara by chance during an MRI scan. Kiara is an anatomical anomaly that occurs in the brain, and is an abnormal fold of the brain tissue that has been shown to affect people’s ability to learn music, musical instruments, and language. MacFarlane acknowledges her condition, but definitely thinks it is all of her hard work that has led to her achievements. “People seem to think it’s like a growth that turns me into a musical superman, [but] it’s just one little extra fold that I discovered when I was having an MRI,” MacFarlane says. She is, instead, quick to bring up her early exposure to music as the major contribution to the ease she feels when memorizing language.
This early exposure has led her to becoming well versed in all things related to music. After she learned how to play the piano, she went on to master the oboe and the bagpipes, and continues to teach herself how to play the guitar. Although it sounds like an odd array of instruments, she began playing the oboe in the fifth grade because someone had told her it would help her get her into college. The more she played, however, the more she grew to love it. The oboe gave MacFarlane experiences that millions dream of having, such as playing at Carnegie Hall, the San Francisco Hall twice, and Disneyland. In fact, the prophecy came true, and she got into a conservatory program for performance. Her then playing the bagpipes seemed natural, since she comes from a Scottish family, and soon she hopes to conquer the guitar. It may be a while though, since for the last two years she’s had an acoustic guitar sitting in her room. “Keeping your fingers on those strings is a witch,” she says.
With her repertoire of instruments, songwriting and composing was a natural progression. About five years ago, she began to write without an intended genre, but she was recently inspired by Emerson’s musical theater program and the music of the Orion Experience and State Radio. Musical theater has made her more conscious of what she writes, and has made her write with more intent. “I’m writing outwardly with the purpose of trying to connect with people and evoke reactions as opposed to just expressing how I feel,” she says. As a songwriter, she’s chosen to emulate the Orion Experience and their “cool retro style” that manages to be both “painfully catchy and uplifting.” Her influence from State Radio has made her music “rougher and edgier,” and also given her the confidence to write about anything, from “sex to real bitterness.” The song MacFarlane is currently working on is called “Wet Goodbyes,” which she said is “in no way subtle.”
State Radio’s impact on her life has been more than just musical; they have given her a chance to perform her own material in front of one of her largest audiences yet. This past year, she performed at the 1,000-seat Duxbury Performing Arts Center for an event that benefited the Invisible Children Foundation and State Radio’s own Calling All Crows Foundation, that looks to inspire musicians and women all over the world. MacFarlane says opening for State Radio has been one of the best experiences of her life. One of the band mates was even kind enough to give her advice when she felt lost in regards to her future. He told her, “Music is music, performing is performing. If you love to do it all, then do it all, and someday you’ll find your way to where you really belong.”
In an attempt to test out that philosophy, MacFarlane makes sure to find time to do some of the other things she loves. She is a “mover” in Emerson’s Dance Company, enjoys long distance hiking, rock climbing, being outdoors, and watching cat videos, even though she does not actually like cats. And still, above all, she has music. “Music is one of those things that when you really love doing it, you find a way to do it constantly,” she says.
If you want to learn even more about Mariah MacFarlane, visit her Myspace page where you can hear more of her music and about the work she has been doing with her band.