The 570 Blog Showcase - Marissa Lucia / Artist / Singer
Here at Mod570 we take great pride in the fact that we can feature up and coming music artists. Many of those artists have the opportunity to market themselves and work with other artists independently, but 22-year old Marissa Lucia works with them on a more official level. Lucia is a singer/performer as well as someone who writes for other performers. Hailing from Los Angeles CA, Lucia says she takes great pride in her work.
“I would describe my work as authentic, empathetic, and pure. My goal is to gain an art appreciation, to move people and inspire them to create as well,” said Lucia.
Over the last year Lucia has worked at the OC Hit Factory in Orange County. After finishing college, Lucia was able to expand her music career. Meeting with music producers Swagg R’Celious, Jenna Andrew and Laurianne Gibson. Lucia says that Gibson was a key person in the enhancement of her performance and unlocking the full potential of her abilities.
“I grew up in a small town outside of LA, so my dreams have always felt so obtainable, yet it’s a challenge to reach them. My love for music began at the age of 5 when I began playing the violin. It felt like my missing puzzle piece, similar to how I feel now when I sing into a microphone. Something about singing has always made me feel so truthful to who I am, even at a young age,” said Lucia.
At a young age she says she was nervous about pursuing a creative career. Citing that she did not know how to make sense of the melodies or ideas she was creating. She also says that her family comes from a business background, so she was not sure who to ask for help.
What inspired you to be a creator?
“For a lot of my life, I struggled to be heard since I come from a loud family. I often had trouble expressing how I felt and what I wanted to do with my life. Music and songwriting have allowed me to say what I need to say and feel. I think once I realized the way music made me feel when I was listening to it and singing it, I just knew it was going to be my form of communication to myself and the people around me. After all, music is what emotions sound like".
Though her family pushed her to attend college rather than pursue music, Lucia still went to school. She attended Chapman University where she played basketball and received a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Corporate Communications. Though music was still on her mind, as she says she kept those dreams in view despite her family pushing her down a more traditional path.
“I continued to work with coaches on my vocals, songwriting & other forms of art to chase after my true calling and that’s what I’m doing."
What does it mean to you to be a creator?
“Being a creator means to embrace the vision before it comes to life, and knowing the hardship it might bring. It’s not letting the opinions of others hinder or expedite the process of a particular vision. If you create from the purest place of your heart, people will notice, appreciate and hopefully be moved by those efforts. I feel so blessed and humbled that God allowed me to use my gifts to create,” said Lucia.
Lucia says that she is compelled to create the most authentic content she can. In the past she had felt that was trying to repress the emotion behind her craft, but now she accepts it. Lucia says that she owes it to herself to pursue her creativity with the utmost passion. Exactly the kind of mindset we believe in here at Mod570.
Though being a creator obviously takes a ton of hard work and dedication, Lucia says there are two major challenges she faces. The first one being the economic reality of mass markets. Though she loves what she does and wants to be an inspiration, she does have to factor in if she can make money off of what she does.
“I have quickly learned that that “market” mentality kills the parts of artistic passion more than anything else. The beauty of creating is pushing limits and redefining boundaries so that there might be an opportunity to discover something different about yourself; the audience you’re delivering your work to as well."
The second hurdle is self-doubt for Lucia. This is something commonly seen in many young creators. Everyone doubts themselves until they prove they can accomplish great things. Though Lucia says that beating that doubt is an incredible feeling.
“Because whether we believe it or not things will turn out how they are supposed to - art is beautiful because we choose to make it. We choose to make it from what we feel, and the fact that creators can do that is pretty incredible in itself,” said Lucia.
What is your vision for the future?
“I would love to perform in front of people who appreciate the hard work I’ve put into my music because there is such beauty in sharing that with others. I have been going to concerts for as long as I can remember, and want to have my own one day so I can make others feel alive and care-free for even just a couple of hours. The experience that lets you escape, that’s what I aspire to create. Lastly, I want to be a role model for young women. Since I was a girl, it felt that people always considered my dream as “acceptable” because I was young & at that age, wild dreams are permitted since you’re naive,” said Lucia. “Yet, here I am as a 22-year-old getting knocked down by reality, but chasing the same dream day in and day out. Some call it ignorance, but I choose to maintain that vision, rather than confine myself to the censorship this world begs us to abide by. I want girls to know that.”
Links to social media
Quote on creativity
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, art is knowing which one to keep.”
Marissa
Great read! Thanks for the article1