Drea & the Marilyns
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Drea & the Marilyns

Seattle, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2019 | SELF

Seattle, Washington, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2019
Band Alternative Indie

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"SINGER-SONGWRITER DREA MARILYN DROPS AN ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRONICS & PIANO-STEEPED TRACK"

Seattle-based singer-songwriter Drea Marilyn just released her darkly ethereal new single, Everything To Me, this past Friday. It’s only this year that she’s started following her own path as a solo artist after spearheading the band Drea & the Marilyns.

Everything To Me is Marilyn’s personal spin on New Zealand band Lips’ original song that was released in 2012. The single was produced by John True at Unveiled Studio in San Diego.


Marilyn counts artists like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple among her influences, but the captivating music she creates is thoroughly her own.

Stamped with Marilyn’s soulful and ruminative vocals, Everything To Me is an atmospheric track steeped in hazy electronics, contemplative piano press, and a measured beat. A heavily buzzing synth line and twisting electronics take over the second half of the song, adding to its dreamily ponderous nature. - The Record Stache


"Drea & The Marilyns – Everything to me"

Drea Marilyn returns with her new single, the ethereal “Everything To Me.” Marilyn, a Seattle-based musician, has experienced much success as a performer, songwriter, and artist. She began her career touring with her band, Drea & the Marilyns, before finally stepping out on her own in 2019. Her solo music encapsulates an emotional, unique nature, influenced by artists like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple, as well as the rock and electro-synth genres.
The music that makes up her solo debut takes bits and pieces of the artists and styles that have inspired her most, crafting beautifully written songs with a soulful, electronic vibe. Her new release was originally written and performed by Lips, a New Zealand-based band that released the song in 2012.



On “Everything To Me,” Marilyn sinks into an atmospheric, melody-forward world with effortless ease. Caught up in a whirl of stunning instrumentation, including a breathless piano and fluid synths, Marilyn captures that sense of emotional release. On a track about the speed of life and the chaotic way it swirls around us, she sinks into the idea of letting it all go to find personal peace. “Some days I would give anything just to leave it all behind, there are times I can’t find any light to get me through the daily grind…” her soulful voice melts over the verse.

Drea Marilyn finds herself on this dark track about finding your inner light. Be sure to check out Drea Marilyn’s “Everything To Me” produced by John True of Unveiled Studio in San Diego. - Selection Sorties


"INTERVIEW: Drea Marilyn"

Hi Drea, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Hello Vents! I’ve been busy but I’m doing alright. Thanks for asking!
Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Everything To Me”?
Absolutely! Everything to Me was originally written by the New Zealand based duo Lips.
I heard this back in 2014 by a friend.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Man, I wish I wrote this. It’s a beautiful song. This is a cover I put a lot of time into. I found the lyrics to be deeply personal to everything I’ve been going through and I wanted to put my own twist on it.
Any plans to release a video for the single?
THERE ARE! I’m so excited for it. One of my best friends and artistic creative director, Ari Holmes,
and I spent the last couple months, writing the script, finding locations, and designing costumes. It’s filmed by the talented Dylan Randolph. It should be out sometime in January.
How was the recording and writing process?
The recording and writing process is different for me each time. Sometimes it’ll take me weeks to finish a tune, every so often I can write one in a 10 minute sitting. The recording process makes more sense to me the more often we do it. I recorded with the talented John True who I met at a music school we were both teaching at in San Diego. It was a very collaborative project and I trust him with his insight. I’m glad we got to work together.
What role does Seattle play in your music?
Seattle plays a major role. The music scene is so vibrant and alive here. Like in any major music city, it’s saturated and can be competitive, but if you bring something different and unique to the table, you’ll be okay. I was doing the solo thing for a while asking friends to fill in here and there. Seattle is where I met my amazing bandmates, Toni McGowan and Arthur Sagami, and since we’ve been gigging and writing stuff together.
How has Fiona Apple and Norah Jones influenced your writing?
I’ve always loved how poetic their lyrics are. I really like how dark and heavy their words are and I love what they do harmonically with their songs. I’m a (allegedly) trained classical pianist, so any traces of blues or jazz or soul is both so foreign to me and exciting. There’s a warmth in their voice that I can identify with.
Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?
There’s so much new material to be released in 2020. I’m still sitting on 2 other songs I’ve recorded with John True that I’m planning on releasing soon. In addition, Drea & the Marilyns, my full band, has recorded 2 new singles with Phil Petereson of House of Breaking Glass. We have a handful more songs we’d love to record, it’s just a matter of making sure we have the funds for it.
Any tentative release date or title in mind?
Nothing I can really announce yet, but once I can, I’ll let you know!
Any plans to hit the road?
I’ve been itching to so badly. Again, nothing I can really announce soon, but I’m sure I’ll be along the West Coast at the very least sometimes in 2020.
What else is happening next in Drea Marilyn’s world?
Mostly making the transition from a solo artist to a band, which I am beyond happy about. I’m trying to take better care of myself. Thanks so much VENTS for this interview. - Vents Magazine


"INSIDERS GUIDE MUSIC INsiders Guide For 15th Of Dec."

Drea Marilyn returns with her new single, the ethereal “Everything To Me.” Marilyn, a Seattle-based musician, has experienced much success as a performer, songwriter, and artist. She began her career touring with her band, Drea & the Marilyns, before finally stepping out on her own in 2019. Her solo music encapsulates an emotional, unique nature, influenced by artists like Norah Jones and Fiona Apple, as well as the rock and electro-synth genres. The music that makes up her solo debut takes bits and pieces of the artists and styles that have inspired her most, crafting beautifully written songs with a soulful, electronic vibe. Her new release was originally written and performed by Lips, a New Zealand-based band that released the song in 2012.

On “Everything To Me,” Marilyn sinks into an atmospheric, melody-forward world with effortless ease. Caught up in a whirl of stunning instrumentation, including a breathless piano and fluid synths, Marilyn captures that sense of emotional release. On a track about the speed of life and the chaotic way it swirls around us, she sinks into the idea of letting it all go to find personal peace. “Some days I would give anything just to leave it all behind, there are times I can’t find any light to get me through the daily grind…” her soulful voice melts over the verse. Drea Marilyn finds herself on this dark track about finding your inner light. Be sure to check out Drea Marilyn’s “Everything To Me” produced by John True of Unveiled Studio in San Diego. - Outloud Culture


Discography

Bad Feeling
Spicy Talk
Song of Salvador
Burnt Bridges
Bringing Me Down
Re-Write
Bed of Ashes
They Say
Moons
Roxy

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Bio

Drea & the Marilyns, an indie pop outfit comprised of 3 members who met at a weekly jam session held at the mom and pop music store they all work at in the Greater Seattle Area. 

Drea & the Marilyns comprises of Drea Castillo (vocals, guitar, bass), Toni McGowan (vocals, piano, violin), and Arthur Sagami (sax, clarinet, and flute). Their sound has been compared to Sade, meets KT Tunstall with a bossa nova and pop feel.

Drea & the Marilyns have toured internationally all around Asia and North America playing well known venues such as Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles to  Hae Bang Chon Fest in Seoul and has performed at NAMM.

They’re featured single ‘Moons’ have been nominated for WomeninCharg3 2015. In 2018, Drea & Marilyns’ single ‘Calgary’ received rave reviews from numerous outlets, such as Stereo Stickman: “The music is powerful, floating along somewhere between indie-pop and trip-hop, keeping the mood light initially but offering just enough of that crispness – the edge of the beat, the evolving sense of weight, the growing energy of the electronic elements, even the poetic nature of the lyrics.”

The band is working on recording a full length this upcoming year and is planning on releasing the highly anticipated singles: Bad Feeling and Bed of Ashes.

Band Members