Marlaina

Hey! I’m Marlaina, I'm a Nashville based singer songwriter originally from a little town outside Seattle called Kenmore, WA. Most people go there for the bowling alley and karaoke bar. I have been singing and performing since I could talk, and writing music since I was 19. I love to laugh, and dance and wear fabulous flowery clothes. I don’t take myself too seriously. I’m usually that weird girl at the party with the killer dance moves that I learned from my dad. I have more shoes than is socially acceptable. I have lots of opinions. I’m loud. Sometimes those two qualities don’t mix well. I have a yellow lab named Hailey and a chocolate lab named Sneaky Pete, so I’m usually covered in dog hair. It just means that I am covered in love :) My favorite color is pink. I love espresso and wine and baklava. I’m a total foodie, fashionista and margarita queen! Growing up I learned to perform in musicals, karaoke bars and jazz clubs around Seattle where I sang just about every musical style under the sun: from showtunes to rock’n’roll to country to blues & jazz. During college I started taking all of my influences and co-writing my own music. I finally began developing my sound and identity as an artist. The first time I performed an original song live, was the most terrified I have ever been during a performance to this day. But after I did it I was addicted. Being so vulnerable and connected to an audience is one of the most thrilling things I do. I live for it. I love hearing how my songs resonate with the people listening. Its why I continue to keep rocking’ and rollin’. I’ve had some pretty rad career highlights thus far. I was invited by Dr. John to sing with him at Jazz Alley in Seattle a few times and then again at the Bite of Oregon in Portland. I migrated south to Los Angeles to further pursue my singing career. I spent a lot of time songwriting, playing clubs in Hollywood and sunbathing at the beach. I had the privilege of singing in the great James Torme’s New Years Eve show in 2012. As much of a West coast beach girl as I am—as much as I miss my friends, gourmet coffee and juice, yoga studios, hiking in the mountains, and 365 days of sunshine and smog—I knew Nashville was the place I had to be if I was going to really go to the next level as a songwriter and musician. So, I packed my bags and drove across the country to an exotic, magical place called Music City. I am currently loving life and working on my first record and playing out all over town. I bring all of my eclectic life experiences and musical influences into my songs because the more honest you are, the more people can connect. I would classify my sound as country with influences of rock and blues. My goal for my music is to take elements that you wouldn’t expect go together and blend them so perfectly that they turn out something unique and fresh. I hope y’all like it :) xoxoxo Singer, Songwriter, Free Spirit, Fashionista I march to the beat of my own drum