Maybe she doesn’t know, but when I first started at this job, she was the first music review that I did. So, watching the evolution of Lorelei Marcell as an artist it’s been very rewarding to me. The song at that moment was Your Biggest Fan, which accumulated 231k+ YouTube views on the Official Music Video.

This young singer based in Boston has established herself as one of the most solid, new figures on the current scene with a fresh musical proposal, able to establish herselff in the market and go beyond fleeting musical trends. Lorelei has not only gathered over a million cumulative streams independently but has also drawn the likes of GRAMMY® Award-nominated songwriter JHart [Justin Bieber, Keith Urban, Usher] to her corner.

Her new single is “Love Me Back (Maybe Next Year)”. A very emotive and melancholy song that shows part of a heart hurt because its love was not reciprocated in the way it had hoped.

We had the great chance to talk to a more mature and grown Lorelei, so keep reading til the end.

Can you make a summary of the past year in musical terms for us and your fans?

This past year has been chaotic, lonely, and exhilarating. It’s been a bit of everything, which has impacted my writing in irrevocable ways. I am not sure how I would put this in musical terms, but I think ‘Love Me Back’ expresses these feelings really well, oddly enough.

Where and how was “Love Me Back (Maybe Next Year)” born? I mean, what was inside you that you wanted to put into this song?
This song was an emotional roller coaster. I went into my producer John Samules studio a few months ago, with songwriter Chris Ayer, and we had started off the session talking about my fear of cockroaches…Little did we know we were about to create a song of this caliber. Hah. Anyways, I was reflecting on my past, which is typically how I start most of my songs. I was caught between a few ideas of what kind of feeling I wanted to convey in my holiday song. Happy, sad, hopeful. The more I opened up to Chris about my past Christmas and holiday season, there was a clear theme. Bittersweet, and a little defeated. I was heartbroken, but as a deeply bittersweet person I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That is exactly where Love Me Back began.

 

Can you tell us how has been your evolution from your “Your biggest fan” to “Love Me Back (Maybe Next Year)”? And what does the Lorelei of today have to say to the Lorelei of 2 years ago?

I definitely feel like I’ve transformed as an artist. I’ve written almost 100 songs since Your Biggest Fan, toured, and gotten to learn more about the industry, and developed a sense of confidence that I never had before. I do feel like the music is just as honest though, and it’s always been my sound. She would be proud of the work I’ve put in so far and for actually making the move out to this big city.

 

Even though we can easily identify your personal style, this song feels nostalgic and more “mature” in a way. Also, it has some drops of Christmas bells. Was this intentional? Why?

Thank you so much! I’d say some sessions are super successful, and some aren’t. This happened to be a super successful session. That in itself you can’t fully plan. But the sense of nostalgia and holiday elements were super intentional. I love writing nostalgic music that pulls on the heart strings a bit. That is something I look for in all of my favorite holiday music.

 

Does the composing process change over time? Is it getting easier?

It develops a lot, and I think it’s gotten easier in a lot of ways with practice. It also depends on who I’m working with. John and Chris are so amazing, so it always comes naturally with them.

 

At the end of the day, how do you know that a song is right, that the arrangements are right, or that it sounds the way you want it to sound?

I know this is an annoying answer, but you really just feel it. There’s always a level of honesty, vulnerability, and a timeless component. That’s what makes it feel right.

 

How are you doing with the process of combining school with a career?

I’m actually not a student! But when I was, it was really challenging to juggle both and put my all in it.

 

What are your projects for next year? Will we see live presentations?

I’m releasing a single early January, and then a full-length LP with 4 new songs in February! I’m definitely planning on performing around LA and hopefully getting back on the road 🙂

 

How do you project your career in about 4 or 5 years? Where woul you like to be?

I love connecting with people, so that is my priority. I hope to be headlining my own tours, playing at festivals, and continuing to build an audience though! Working with other artists I look up to, and hopefully get signed to a label.

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