Meet Sierra Marin: Musician and Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sierra Marin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After receiving my degree from UC Santa Barbara in Psychology, I had a deep realization, and one that I could not ignore. It was not in my ability to spend my life working for someone else or working on something that I didn’t believe in. After attempting to begin full time work and realizing that this among other things in my life at the time we’re not in alignment with my truth, I decided to hit the road. I left home with my backpack, my guitar and $100, and I didn’t end up returning for about a year. I travelled all over the west coast to amazing festivals, hot springs, towns, and national forests and met many amazing unique humans along the way. My entire journey was fueled by playing my guitar everywhere I went. At every farmers market, town square, you name it. I lived for that year entirely off of the tips accumulated by singing my heart out, which had always been my deepest dream that I had written off as a hobby. The feeling of fullfillment and Freedom was unlike any other. I saw the looks on people’s faces when they heard the lyrics of my songs promoting self love, compassion for humanity and the planet, and living in our truth. This is what showed me that I was ready and willing to put all of my energy into being a full time musician. It is my soul mission.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always had this deep knowing/longing that I would play music one day. Music has brought me more joy than any other art form or activity in this life, and I see the intrinsic power that it has to move people. To shift perspective from fear and sadness to one of hope, love and empowered compassion. I began playing piano at 8 years old and fell in love from the start. It always brought me to that place of connection with the flow/creator/the infinite/ whatever you want to call it 😊 As I grew up I began to see music as just a hobby, to be a reprieve from the “real” work of getting good grades in order to get into college and live a “successful” life. Music always brought me back to my center throughout my entire life and school career, beyond the linear conditioning that I was so deeply immersed in. It always brought me back to a state of being. After college I hit the road, unsatisfied by full time work that I did not feel passionate about. I brought my backpack, my guitar and $100 and travelled much of the US, all fueled by busking, which is playing music at markets and in town squares for tips. I learned so much about the world and myself as I got to see many new places and faces and beautiful spots in nature. I saw the power that music has to inspire people and remind them of their beautiful pure free loving nature! I realized that this was why I am here in this life; to create music that brings people to this state of love and bliss, and remembrance that we are all family on this journey back to the one. Life is meant to be a joyous adventure where there is always enough for everyone to live a healthy thriving life, where we are empowered to do what we love and to make the world a better place by doing so. I realized I needed to put my energy into illuminating this truth, and the most potent way that I can see is to go this through music and by building community. Pursuing a musical career has taken a lot of diligence and commitment and is an ongoing process. I feel I will always be creating music and recording artists, as well as teaching music and songwriting for the rest of my life. The toughest parts are honestly the sense of apathy that can come with doubting myself, but these are all opportunities for me to come through to the other side and to trust in myself and the universe that I am enough! And then to write a song about it 😊 I am honored to be doing what I love and although things haven’t always been Easy, especially with the state of things with Corona Virus, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take someone to Ocean Beach to see Sunset Cliffs, and to lots of beaches along the coast here. We’re so blessed to live on such an incredible coastline. I would definitely take them to Steady State in Carlsbad, my favorite coffee shop that I go to all of the time. I would take a friend to The Plot in Oceanside, this amazing zero waste farm to table vegan restaurant that my boyfriend and I Love to go to! I would take someone to The Yellow Deli for lunch, as both of those places make actual healthy food sourced locally and run their businesses ethically. I would bring someone to The Village Rock Shop in Carlsbad to find some amazing crystals and to meet my sweet sister Xenia who also runs a beautiful family owned business. We would go kayaking and surfing for sure as well! I used to teach surf lessons so I’d totally take my friend out even if it was their first time!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout to my family for always supporting me to play music, and also to every person who has ever listened to one of my songs and felt moved. If the music was not being received by even just one person, I wouldn’t be creating it. I am honored to have felt the support of so many other beings and musicians along the way who have seen my potential and helped to lift me up!

Website: Www.sierramarin.com
Instagram: @SierraMarinMusic
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sierramarinmusic/?ref=bookmarks
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC33vpu93DVqWa33eSEyo23w
Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/62gdD5Q6ICJZjjnhjqKq55?si=Xe6Edm8gTweB7szZMKOSGA Soundcloud: Www.soundcloud.com/sierramarinmusic