Marie Hines

Artist Information

Biography

Marie Hines is a dazzling blend of old and new. She writes with the scope and eloquence that comes with age and the purity and hopefulness of youth. Marie’s rosy piano melodies accompanied by her telltale string quartet glow with grand turns of phrase and idyllic themes of love gained and love lost. “I write about things I’ve experienced because that’s what people can relate to. I want to be a part of people's lives. That’s the reason I make music,” she says.

With her debut album Worth the Fight, Marie Hines is growing up, discovering what she wants to accomplish as an artist and flowering into who she wants to be as a person. Marie’s southern charm, gentle femininity, and affection for cupcakes and ballet flats attest to her cheery warmth as a person, but Marie’s songwriting goes beyond poise and passion to exude a quiet elegance, luminous and ornate. “A lot of my lyrics come straight from the pages of my diary,” she admits. “I’ve written songs when I have been in the absolute depths of heartbreak, and for me, it’s a release because I’m able to channel that emotion and energy into that song.”

Marie nurtured her musical abilities early while growing up in small-town South Carolina: “I started taking classical piano when I was about six. Music was kind of something I developed on my own. I started writing at the age of twelve, and it was awful.” But something struck with a chord with Marie, who moved to Nashville in 2005 to attend Belmont University. “I came to ‘Music City’ to surround myself with people that were better than me. I knew I needed that constant challenge in order to become a greater musician.” Marie found inspiration among fellow songwriters as well as larger acts like Norah Jones and John Mayer, all the while developing her own niche somewhere between the honest lyricism of Regina Spektor and the graceful instrumentation of Sara Bareilles.

The first glimmering notes of Worth the Fight feel like waking up in the morning; the realization and enlightenment in the title track are both delicate and spirited: “There’s bigger pictures to paint/More horizons to chase/Something better in searching, reaching/Burning, bleeding black and white.” The album’s first single, “Wrapped Up in Love,” is a blushing tune that radiates silvery bliss with lyrics like, “Slurring sonnets like love drunk poets/Take a sip, pass the glass around/Til we fall out of time, lost in a rhyme/It’s so easy being me when I’m with you.” The two songs establish a strong presence and expressive foundation for the rest of the album, and they’ve already received national attention for it: “Wrapped Up in Love” was featured in WalMart’s Valentine’s Day in-store promotional campaign in 2010 and 2011, and more recently, “Worth the Fight” won 1st place in the Intel Superstars Competition, Singer/Songwriter Division.

Other gems of the record, produced by Eric Kinny, include the resonant, lilting “LoveStung,” which stands out as an ode to the fine complexities of valiant love, rich with willowy strings and striking lines, the most memorable being, “We’re scared to death but we’re learning the thrill of the fall;” and sprightly “Paper Heart,” a brisk, quirky autobiography. Of the track, Marie reveals, “I set out to write a song that was completely honest about who I am – both the good parts and the bad parts.” “Beauty” is a rolling, piano-laden tune of empowerment, with words like, “Flowers don’t choose their shades/And butterflies don’t paint their wings/Don’t change me, no/Don’t save me, I’m just fine;” and the smoldering “Over You” closes the album with the melancholy waves of a cleansing rain, the strings swelling with sincerity, the vocals heavy with grief. “I think it’s important for people to experience heartbreak, and I think it’s also important for people to experience what it feels like to break someone’s heart,” says Marie. “People have to experience the good parts of life, and also the bad parts, because together, they bring you to a place where you really understand what it feels like to live.”

Marie Hines releases her debut album on December 14th, 2010. For more information about Marie and Worth the Fight, go to www.mariehines.com.

Instrumentation

Marie Hines- Piano/Vocals
String Quartet (2 Violins, Viola & Cello)
Drummer
Bass player
Sounds/Aux player
2 Background Vocalists

Discography

"Wrapped Up In Love"
(First single off the debut record "Worth The Fight", which will be released December 14, 2010- Featured in Walmart's 2010 and 2011 Valentine's Day In-store Promo Campaign, also featured on Delta Airline's in-flight radio for March & April of 2011)

"Worth The Fight"
(Second single and title track off the debut record, "Worth The Fight", released December 14, 2010- Won 1st place in Intel Superstar's Competition, Singer/Songwriter division)

"Worth The Fight"
(Debut album, released December 14, 2010 both digitally to iTunes, Amazon, etc, and physically at local stores in Nashville, TN.)

"The Living Room Sessions EP"
(Acoustic EP, released May 17, 2011. Comprised of acoustic versions of 5 songs from the record "Worth The Fight")

Official Website

http://www.mariehines.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• YouTube

Audio

• Wrapped Up In Love
  Listen  
• Better (The Living Room Sessions)
  Listen  
• Fireflies
  Listen  
• Worth The Fight
  Listen  
• Long Way To Letting Go (The Living Room Sessions)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Better
• Worth The Fight
• Fireflies

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Marie Hines Worth The Fight Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  Marie Hines’ “Worth the Fight” Review 12 December 2010 by Emily J Ramey Marie Hines “Worth the ...Marie Hines’ “Worth the Fight” Review
  12 December 2010 by Emily J Ramey
  
  Marie Hines
  “Worth the Fight”
  December 2010; Independent
  By Emily J Ramey
  It’s an extraordinary occurrence when you think about it – finding words that say what you truly feel, melodies that express the very ebb of your thoughts. These sorts of discoveries are more than important in the world of music; they are vital, dynamic.
  As a woman myself, I’m a huge advocate for the female singer/songwriter. Show me the folk rock poignancy of Ingrid Michaelson or Lisa Hannigan or eloquent piano pop perfected by Regina Spektor or Sara Bareilles, and I will show you my own heart spilled over into the words of a song. I love realizing girl talent, finding a new voice. There’s something about delving into their lyrics and figuring out their notes that is empowering, delicately victorious, and rare, which is why Nashville’s newest songwriter Marie Hines is such a remarkable discovery: she is a charming combination of all of the above.
  Marie Hines is breezy and bright, but with something of an old soul. Her fondness for strings and silky piano keys is enough to grab my attention, and her gentle vocals and silver-tongued lyrics make her my new favorite. Marie’s debut album, Worth the Fight, is a passionate and shimmering collection of melodies that span a poetic horizon, exploring the rosy depths of a young girl’s heart with the expressiveness of a worldly, elegant hand.
  The album begins with the title track, cool and energizing – with lines like, “There’s bigger pictures to paint/More horizons to chase/Something better in searching, reaching/Burning, bleeding black and white” – and warms up quickly with the sugary single “Wrapped Up in Love,” a buoyant tune of idyllic, lighthearted affection: “Slurring sonnets like love drunk poets/Take a sip, pass the glass around/Til we fall out of time, lost in a rhyme/It’s so easy being me when I’m with you.”
  Other highlights of Worth the Fight include the magnetic, brisk-tempoed “Better” and the lithe “LoveStung,” with its melancholy strings and honest lyrics: “We’re lovestung, so lovestung/We’re scared to death but we’re learning the thrill of the fall.” The refreshing bleakness of “Long Way to Letting Go” is both moving and memorable, and ardent, lustrous “Over You” stands out as both haunting and beautiful, closing the album with tender lines and striking emotion, the music swelling richly, resonantly before fading out with the quiet undulations of a cleansing rain.
  Marie Hines is going to be an exciting artist to watch in 2011. Worth the Fight is brimming with potential and promises to be merely a springboard into bigger and better things. I can’t wait to see and hear more, but for now, I’m going to cozy up and just listen.
  436 words
  

• Marie Hines Herald Journal Article [+ Show ]
  

  Singer-songwriter Marie Hines does music her way Singer-songwriter Marie Hines will perform at 7:...Singer-songwriter Marie Hines does music her way
  
  Singer-songwriter Marie Hines will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wild Wings Cafe in Spartanburg.
  
  
  By JACOB WEBB
  For the Herald-Journal
  
  Published: Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 3:15 a.m.
  Last Modified: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 8:22 p.m.
  While most aspiring musicians go to Nashville, Tenn., with hopes of being signed by a major record label or a songwriting company, Spartanburg native Marie Hines has forgone those routes and forged her own path.
  Marie Hines
  When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
  Where: Wild Wing Cafe in Spartanburg
  
  With the recent release of her debut album, Hines has proved herself to be a unique new voice in the current field of contemporary singer-songwriters.
  Hines began playing the piano at the age of 6, and by the age of 12, she was writing her own songs. She said that she’s “always been connected to the piano,” which remains her primary instrument. Born and raised in Spartanburg, she is now based in Nashville, where she and her producer Eric Kinny completed her debut album, “Worth the Fight.” During the one and a half years that it took Hines and producer Kenny to make “Worth the Fight,” Hines’ main goal was to make a record that would leave an instant impression on the listener.
  “I wanted it to be perfect,” Hines said. “My father has always said that you only get one first impression, and I didn’t want my first impression to be bad. It had to be exactly right.” In order to make sure of this, Hines and Kinny re-recorded the album after they found the first version of the album unsatisfactory.
  The album’s recent release is a relief for Hines, but she admits that she still has many things she wants to accomplish. She elaborated on these goals, saying that she “would absolutely love to tour to many other places, especially Europe.”
  While Hines still has lots of things she hopes to do in her career, she’s
  already made quite a name for herself in the music industry. Besides her frequent touring and strong presence in Nashville, Hines’ song “Wrapped Up in Love” was featured in Wal-Mart’s 2010 Valentine’s Day promotional campaign and she won first place in the singer-songwriter division of Intel’s Superstars Competition.
  What’s even more impressive though, is that she does nearly all of this by herself.
  “I do a lot of musical work with Eric Kinny, but beyond that I do all the booking and promotion by myself,” she said.
  Hines has just launched a new website, www.MarieHines.com, where she documents her musical journey, along with her numerous cupcake recipes and thoughts in her online journal.
  Describing her online presence, Hines said, “I try to stay as connected as possible in this ever-changing thing we call the music industry.”
  Hines’ debut album, “Worth the Fight,” is out now, and she will hold an album release party at Wild Wing Cafe in Spartanburg at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
  

• 93.7 On-air radio interview [+ Show ]
  

  Marie did an on-air interview with Hawk&Tom from 93.7, Upstate South Carolina's Top-40 radio station...Marie did an on-air interview with Hawk&Tom from 93.7, Upstate South Carolina's Top-40 radio station.

• Artist Spotlight: Marie Hines [+ Show ]
  

  In the world of female pop few artists have the potential to dominate the market. In one corner we’...In the world of female pop few artists have the potential to dominate the market. In one corner we’ve got Ke$ha talk-singing her way through a strip tease and in the other Disney princesses are being molded into would-be pop idols whether they’ve got the voice or not. There is a serious lack of fresh faced females with pure talent for making music but one sweet southern belle from Music City, USA has the passion and pipes to change all that.
  
  Marie Hines hit the Nashville scene in the early 2000's, honing her craft at Belmont University, and developing a sweet sound that channels the likes of Colbie Callait and Sara Bareilles. Her angelic voice has a sharp, emotional edge and her talent for songwriting conveys a maturity beyond her 24 years. She is a naturally gifted lyricist, pianist, and performer with a carefree stage presence and a bubbly personality, and she’s poised to make a bold statement in the world of pop music.
  
  Marie is set to release her first full-length album Worth The Fight, surprisingly without the support of a record label, and will be touring the Nashville and surrounding areas to promote the release. If you haven’t heard any of Marie’s songs, check out her EP Paper Heart on iTunes now, and look for Worth The Fight in the coming months. If you’re jonesin’ for a taste now, check out the video below of Marie singing her original, “Over You” at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  

• Marie Hines, Herald Journal Article (EP Release) [+ Show ]
  

  Spartanburg native Marie Hines celebrated the release of her first EP, "The Living Room Sessions," W...Spartanburg native Marie Hines celebrated the release of her first EP, "The Living Room Sessions," Wednesday at Wild Wings Café.
  
  The EP, which is coming out only five months after the release of her debut album, "Worth The Fight," is intended for listeners to experience the casual feel of a Marie Hines show.
  
  “I've always said that I want people to feel like they're in the comfort in their own living room when I play a show,” explained Hines.
  
  Based on that idea, Hines decided to create a project where her fans could experience a concert in a living room, both visually and aurally.
  
  Hines gathered a group composed of 27 of her good friends and fans for an audience, and recorded a series of songs performed in her living room at her home in Nashville, Tenn.
  
  To prepare for the five-hour video shoot, Hines made a number of preparations.
  
  “It would be almost impossible to perfectly capture the sound of a string quartet in the living room of an old house with poor acoustics, and we didn't want to have to sacrifice a take because of a musical error, so we prerecorded our tracks beforehand” Hines said.
  
  Additionally, Hines went to great lengths to make sure the environment of the show would feel warm and inviting.
  
  “My mother and I scoured every Michael's and Hobby Lobby in both Nashville and Spartanburg for pillar candles, votives, mason jars, old picture frames and anything else that looked good,” Hines said.
  
  “Because of all of the candles, lighting, and people in one room, it had to have been at least 85 degrees in there, but no one complained throughout all five hours of the shoot,” recalled Hines. “That was when I realized that I have the best friends and fans in the world.”
  
  At Hines' Wednesday show, her second release party to be held at Wild Wings, she performed tracks off of "The Living Room Sessions," as well as new material and an '80s classic.
  
  “'Straight Up' by Paula Abdul is one of my most recent cover songs, and it's one of my favorites to play,” she said. Hines chose the song not only because she enjoys playing it, but also for the memories that it brings her.
  
  “My mom was an aerobics instructor in the late '80s and early '90s, so I would hear that song while I was sitting in the back and dance along.”
  
  Hines is currently touring to promote both the EP and her debut album, with an East Coast tour planned for June, a California tour for July, and a long tour of the Northeast in the fall.
  
  “I've had the opportunity to open for some great acts lately, and I'm excited about where my tour schedule is taking me across the next few months,” Hines said. Between playing shows, Hines also plans to start work on recording an EP of new material.
  
  Marie Hines' EP, "The Living Room Sessions," is out now on iTunes. The video segments of the EP can be found on her website, www.mariehines.com.

Setlist

Depending on the request of the promoter, I can play a set up to an hour long.

I perform in 3 different set types: Just me on keys/ Me on keys with the string quartet/ or Full band, with me on keys, string quartet, another keys player, drummer, & bassist.

I have 15 original songs that I keep in rotation, & I usually intertwine several covers in a set (one of which is a medley of 90s songs which is arranged for the string quartet & vocals only).

I can cover anything from Taylor Swift's "Sorry", Envogue's "Don't Let Go", Kanye West's "Love Lockdown", to the Eurythmic's "Sweet Dreams".

Depending on the request of the promoter, I can tailor my set list and length to the show!

Basic Requirements

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