BY BASSEY ETIM-EDET
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Two years ago, Marie Digby became an Internet sensation when she uploaded a YouTube video of her covering Rihanna's "Umbrella."
Now on her second U.S. album, "Breathing Underwater," Digby can't wait to prove to the world that she's more than just a girl with a guitar.
In a recent phone interview, Digby opened up about her departure from the indie music scene. "I wanted to keep it honest, and for it to reflect my life and what I went through," she said.
"But I also wanted everything musically to change. I felt it might be a risk, but it was something I needed to do now--and I wanted to have beats and for the production to be more lush."
Compared to her first album, "Breathing Underwater" explodes with pop tracks, but it still maintains the same pensive and emotional lyrics that originally landed her fans.
However, Digby wants to make it clear that deep down she's still the same girl. "It's just as 'me' as the first [album], except I didn't really have the guts to do it the first time around. It's so easy, especially as a singer-songwriter, to fall into this very acoustic sound. I wanted to challenge myself to take those songs that do work in a stripped-down way and see if they still have life when there is more going on behind it."
The affable and modest Digby readily admits that she had to conquer a little self-doubt to make her new album.
"I was so scared because I wanted to make an album that would please all the fans, but I knew that wasn't necessarily possible--how could I please every single person? I was also scared because I didn't know if I had the vocal chops to sing anything but acoustic," she said.
Jumping through the songs on "Breathing Underwater" will easily prove that Digby had nothing to worry about. She is confident and strong from beginning to end.
On "Avalanche" the album's first single, Digby's vocal cords soar with the beats.
On "Feel"--Digby's favorite track--her voice carries the heavy emotion of the lyrics, beautifully pleading for her subject to show her that he can feel.
"I feel like I was pushing myself, and I'm proud of that," she said.
Digby doesn't shy away from her vulnerable content--in fact, she embraces it. "My first album gave me the excitement of what it feels like to perform in front of people, and to know that you're talking about something very personal and very close to your heart. It's sort of a feeling I can't achieve with anything else, and that's what pushes me to keep writing that way."
While recording the emotionally charged album, Digby was also riding a romantic roller-coaster that inspired a lot of the album's intensity. Although she stays pretty mum on the topic, "I would say I'm still in the same sort of limbo state with [the relationship]. It's the best feeling in the world, and it's absolutely the worst. I'm still at the ups and downs," she said.
Luckily, Digby has her work to distract her from the downs. She'll be playing at Jammin' Java in Vienna on Monday, and Digby recently finished filming a movie based on and titled after her song "Feel."
"It's a love story based on what I was going through when I was making the album. There are two musicians who play my love interests. A love triangle!" she laughed.
"Acting is very difficult, but luckily I got to play myself. So if I don't do a good job then I probably have no hope as an actor. I think it turned out fantastic, and I can't wait to see it."
Digby estimates the film will be out in 2010, but in the meantime she's happy to just concentrate on her music.
Bassey Etim-Edet is a freelance writer in Arlington. Reach her at
Email: betimedet@gmail.com.
| What: Marie Digby, with opener Alpha Rev Where: Jammin' Java, 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna When: Monday, 8 p.m. Cost: $12 Info: 703/255-1566 Web: Jamminjava.com |