Daily Inspiration: Meet Kali Marz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kali Marz.  

Hi Kali, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I’m Kali Marz Singer/Songwriter born and bred in Fort Worth, Texas. I’ve lived all over the metroplex and the state of California (SFV, East Hollywood/LA) Texas Mold with Cali Soul baby! I’ve been singing since I can remember and have wanted to make music my way of living since I was a teenager. I’ve always written songs, but became really serious in my late twenties being inspired by the myriad of independent artists I had been listening to (Rahsaan Patterson, Little Dragon, Eric Roberson, N’Dambi, The Foreign Exchange) and discovering that you don’t need a giant major label to do this, just think like and be as clever as. Like a lot of black southerners, I started in the church and appreciate the art of gospel music, really soulful, spirit piercing singing, but I’ve traversed my own spiritual path and beliefs as an adult. I was also able to draw from many other influences as my dad was a lover of music period, and he’s a major factor in my singing and wanting to make music. I’ve tried my hand at starting an independent label with a friend that I was romantically involved with, that ultimately went the way of the situationship LOL, but I learned a lot and carry the lessons and the knowledge I obtained about the business side of music with me. Things change a lot, but I’m grateful for the basic foundation I got. I am a believer in the power of Love and Liberation. Love can liberate us out of the prisons we hold ourselves in and the prisons we allow others to put us in. Love allows us to know our worth, not accept anything less than, it can redeem us, each other and lead us to live in the abundance of the life we want. I am learning this and hope my life will reflect it. Love is my self revolution.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had to overcome a lot of self doubt, being consistent and confident have been struggles for me also. The lack of consistency was due to lack of confidence and just not having that community of support initially, or so I thought. I also had to deal with being authentic, being a black queer artist has not always been the easiest thing to do, not when I started, so I had to fully embnrace my truth in my artistry. Which was part of the issue with the label I tried starting with a friend who was still in the closet, but wanted his cake and to eat it too…in the closet. I digress. I’ve definitely improved over the past few years, I’ve released two singles with a label, and other independent releases. I also briefly dealt with being homeless, substance abuse, and depression. I had an interview that aired on BBC Radio Devon in London with InHouse, a producer/DJ Duo out of London (Dale Move & Barclay Wood) the day I was released from jail. baby, let me tell you…never again. I lost my dad around this same time last year, and He’s such a big part of why I sing. He was a gifted singer. along with his brothers and sisters. My dad was the first person to teach me how to sing. To push me to sing. Exposed me to so much music, He’d play my music for his friends, even if it was an unfinished raw version that I’d flip out over him playing. I knew he was proud of me and enjoyed my music. I remember releasing a song called Crave and posting it on Facebook and his reaction and comment meant everything to me. Sometimes we often think of success as this linear path, or that it has to look like someone else’s, which is often not always the case. Music has been the most consistent thing I’ve done and I don’t see my giving up or it going away.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work, my music is an electric jungle. It’s a soulful vibe over electric sounds or as i like to call it Super Sonic Soul Magic. I’ve been releasing house music the past few years, which was inspired by a dj friend, DJ NightNurse, encouraging me to start singing or ad-libbing over house tracks. That was it for me, I was hooked! I recorded some original lyrics over tracks by Boddhi Satva (Skin Diver) and Jared Jackson (Untitled Groove) and just have them on SoundCloud. A friend Ladi Oyediran is featured on the Boddhi Track, (I Want Your Love, Pt.2) he definitely added much to it. It’s my favorite song I’ve recorded to this day. I love all my music, but it’s just my fave. My work, my sound is deeply rooted in a soulful aesthetic, gut singing, soul piercing and ethereal.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My latest work is out on all platforms, two singles with So Fierce Music, an LGBTQ inclusive label started by DJ/Producer/Singer Velvet Code, who’s remixed for Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. I have more independent releases coming out this summer as well as a video series, Kaliphoria with me singing originals and covers.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://linktr.ee/KaliMarz
• Instagram: @kalisoulmagiq
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaliMarz
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kalisoulmagiq?t=ZGHcXOlFJBtPDSrRSTyQ8A&s=03

Image Credits
Trang Vu Productions