LA.CityZine brings you artist, Molly Marlette, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Molly Marlette and her songs may sound fragile at first but after just one listen to songs such as “The Allumette,” you’re bound to discover that this musician is bolder than anything else. The piano, upright bass, keys and guitar all come together in her arrangements that’ll make you feel like those sounds belong together. With lyrics that are so honest they catch your attention and quirky enough to keep it, Marlette’s soothing vocals over staccato chords go beyond the typical singer-songwriter experience.

Her EP, The Allumette, can be found on iTunes and a few new ones such as “Dandelion Waltz” can be heard on her MySpace. With tunes that sound as nice as her name rolls off your tongue, she’s bound to become the reigning queen of eccentric folk pop in today’s music scene. Catch a show with Molly and her band this coming Tuesday, August 26th at El Cid which starts at 8:00 pm. See her in person and you’ll discover her style is as unique as her music!

Catch her show on Tuesday but catch an interview with Molly Marlette right here! Keep reading and you’ll find out where she shops, which charities she supports, and more.

Could you give a brief description of your music?

It’s a little bit of folk, a little bit of pop, and a lot of everything else that I’ve taken in within the last 20 years.

There’s a picture of you looking very young while playing the piano. How long have you been playing music?

Since that picture more or less. More seriously in the last few years.

How many instruments can you play?

Piano, guitar, mandolin mainly. There are also some fun toys like the autoharp and melodica.

I’m really jealous of your hair color. Is your hair naturally red?

Yeah, it’s naturally something like red. It’s sort of a weird caramel-like color.

How long have you had a band backing you up? How did you meet all of your band members?

Just since the EP came out, actually. One member came to a show of mine and inquired about working with me. Others I know personally or it’s the whole friend of a friend deal. They’re all really talented and I’m honored to be playing with them.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?

I mostly remember advice when I need to pass it on. I guess that’s why we’re supposed to learn to take our own. Nothing in particular stands out at the moment.

Dead or alive. Which 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?

Simon & Garfunkel
The Beatles
Bob Dylan
Linda Ronstadt
Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

How do you get ready for a live show?

I guess, I just run through songs with the band. There’s nothing too magical, I’m afraid.

What’s your favorite song to play live? Why?

It’s a new one called, “There’s No Telling.” It’s a fun one.

If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?

There are some recent songs that were only overexposed because the person they were tied to was famous for something else already, but that’s all. I would rid the world of cases like that.

What messages do you hope your songs send out to listeners? If any.

There’s no direct message I’m trying to push. I just notice things about living and notions about being someone that I jot down then sing about. Something someone might relate to.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I’d rather the idea and question of changing the world be less hypothetical.

You played a “Rock For Darfur” show. Do you support any other charities? If not, which one would you also like to help?

I’m planning on doing a show to support The On My Own But Not Alone Foundation. I’m always open to helping a good cause.

You have great style. Where do you shop?

Thank you. I just shop at vintage and thrift stores. I also have shopped in my mom’s old closet from a few decades ago.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Peanut butter.

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

I’m sure sleeping through one would probably be the most effective.

What would be your perfect LA day?

Snow!

What three things could you not live without?

Something to make music with, coffee, and a sewing machine. I guess I’d need fabric too. There would have to be four things, more or less.

Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.

I tap danced very seriously up until a few years ago. I’m not sure how that will ever help me in life, but my feet can really get going.

Photography courtesy of Molly Marlette

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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