We're Sending Three Independent Artists to Music Midtown to Play Their First Festival
Ones To Watch has teamed up with Gala Music to send three up-and-coming independent artists to Music Midtown Festival in Atlanta. We had the chance to sit down with Tess Clare and Maria Alexa to hear how they’re feeling about the experience:
Ones To Watch: Congrats, you guys are headed to Music Midtown in just a few days! How do you feel about playing your first festival?
MA: It hasn’t set in yet. I feel deserving, I worked so hard to get here, but it definitely won’t hit me ‘til I’m even on stage
TC: I’m freaking ecstatic. Playing live is potentially a bigger high than writing the music itself. There’s something about being on stage that’s so exhilarating – I get nervous before but then once I’m up there it’s amazing.
TC: Also, I feel like it should be known how rare this sort of opportunity is for an independent artist. It doesn’t just take music to get here, there’s so much going on behind the scenes.
If someone has never heard your music before, what song would you recommend they listen to first?
Maria Alexa: I’m super excited about unreleased stuff, but of the ones people can listen to now: “Wake Me Up” or “Comfortable.” They really showcase my current writing style, which is very much based on situations I’ve been through while keeping it relatable. I definitely strive to help people with my music – fun fact, I was almost a psychiatrist – and these songs tell important stories.
Tess Clare: My latest release, “Setback”. We just celebrated its release with a show, and it’s a song that really feels like it represents my music right now.
If your music were a candle, what scent would it be?
MA: I would say a mixture between Palo Santo, because I like to get rid of negative energy from people, but also some vanilla lavender. Relaxed, sweet, makes you happy.
TC: Amber. Sweet but a little musky.
What song are you most excited to play for the first time on a festival stage?
MA: A new one, called “Scared To Know You.” It finally feels like the sound matches the lyrics – I’m so proud of it. It’s actually about someone I never even met in person, but I have this connection with. I’m in this era of my life where I’m only letting people in who deserve to be there, and the song is exactly how it sounds: I’m scared to know you, because I’m scared you don’t want to know who I am.
TC: Definitely my upcoming single, “No More Normandy.” I’m really stoked about it because it’s the first song I incorporate some French into, and it’s the first song I wrote with one of my good friends and collaborators, Jack Kaplan, when I first moved to LA.
What other artists are you looking forward to sharing the stage with at the festival?
MA: I’ve never seen Lizzy McAlpine so I’m excited for her. JP Saxe is one of my favorite writers, too. Also Guns N Roses.
TC: I was going to say The 1975 but then I noticed Fletcher. She’s insane.
Who are your Ones to Watch?
TC: googly eyes, Ryan Beatty, Love You Later.
MA: Isaiah Huron, Trousdale, Tommy Lefroy.
Catch Tess Clare and Maria Alexa at Music Midtown on Saturday, September 16th at 1:45pm on the Cotton Club Stage.
