Marcella Fruehan

Jack Quickenden catches up with Marcella over in Texas, check out her awesome house and amazing singing! - The Chart Show

Marcella is an 18 year-old American singer/songwriter with a voice reminiscent of female artists such as Norah Jones and Adele, Marcella herself telling me she’s often compared to both these world-renowned artists. The Groucho Club is a prestigious members-only club on Dean Street in the heart of London and I was in its Gennaro Room for Marcella’s debut European live show and to have a quick chat with the young Texan. The club revolves around the arts and media worlds and boasts members such as Liam Gallagher and Noel Fielding as well as many others.

Marcella sees John Mayer as one of her major musical influences and like Mayer, Marcella also has a funny side; telling me that Texas isn’t all cowboys and cactae. Another of her influences, Amy Winehouse, also has a visible effect on Marcella’s persona; her striking pink hair reminiscent of the eccentric fashion often modelled by Winehouse before her tragic death. Although blessed with a soulful, country-esque voice the music which backs her songs is distinctly more poppy; her debut single ‘Shakey Knees’ very much reminding me of Colbie Caillat and in particular her duet with Jason Mraz ‘Lucky’.

The showcase at the Groucho Club demonstrated the depth and versatility of Marcella’s voice as well as the emotion so clear to see in her performance. ‘Warrior’ exhibited pure pain and confirmed the statement that all of Marcella’s songs come from her heart and her own personal experiences, whereas ‘Summer Anthem’ felt like exactly that; a pure pop anthem with little more than a catchy chorus and some good riffs.

Marcella’s potential doesn’t always shine through in the studio versions of her songs but nevertheless I can see her appealing to the youth market and doing quite well in the charts. So what’s next for Marcella? Although one of her teenage dreams, she now believes a collaboration with Lil Wayne may not be the most beneficial move for her career and instead has prioritised the release of her first album; according to her it should hopefully be out over the next few months. - Gigslutz

Marcella Fruehan is out to make an even bigger name for herself, so much so that she has become mononymous like Beyonce, Madonna and Rihanna and is now known by one name.

The 18-year-old American singer/songwriter, now simply called Marcella, releases her debut single, Shaky Knees, via Essential Rockstar Records.

The video for the song was shot in the luxurious Stoneleigh Hotel in Dallas, Texas – her home state.
But she has been in London, recording with Yoad Nevo, who produced songs for Girls Aloud and Sugababes.
Marcella was born in Texas on December 19, 1995.

Music has been a big part of her life from an early age and at the age of eight she started dancing on a competitive hip-hop team.
During that time she was hand-picked to be a dancer for a local teen singer in town.
One day, the girls were asked to sing a few lines as background vocals and it was here that Marcella’s outstanding voice was realised.

At the age of 15, Marcella made the decision to pursue singing and songwriting as a career.
Discussing her songs, Marcella said: “What’s the point in writing or singing about something I do not believe in? For me music is so personal. I love when someone writes to me to tell me that they are playing my song on repeat because they are going through the same thing or it helps them get through a tough time.” - The Telegraph

By Claire Meadows

Texas-born singer/songwriter Marcella is set to take the world by storm with her infectious tunes and beguiling voice.

Fresh on the heels of launching her debut single 'Shaky Knees', I caught up with Marcella in London, where she has been recording, and mastering new material with producer Yoad Nevo (Girls Aloud, Sugababes) at Abbey Road Studios.

CM: First of all Marcella, it's great to meet you. How are you?

M: Hello! I am awesome! I feel so honored to be here!!!

CM: 'Shaky Knees' was released on April 21st. How do you feel about the response
the single has got so far?

M: It's pretty amazing how fast things happen! Since we've released this single I have gotten so many great responses from friends and family and new fans!

Everyone seems to love it and that makes me feel super accomplished as an artist.

CM: The first thing I noticed about your voice on the single was a quality that was a
lot like Amy Winehouse's. Have you been influenced by Amy at all? Who are your
other influences?

M: Ahhh thats such a compliment to me because I love her so much! I definitely feel influenced by her. The way she uses her voice stylistically in the oddest ways is so interesting to me!

A few of my other influences are Justin Nozuka, Macklemore, John Mayer, and Kanye West. I have tons more but those are a few of my tops.

CM: You were born in Texas. Take us back on a journey through your childhood through the young Marcella's eyes. When did you first pick up the music bug?

M: Well as a kid I was very shy but very adventurous and always had to be doing some type of activity! I went from being a gymnast, to a hip hop dancer, to playing the drums, to competitive cheerleading, and throughout all the midst of that I was singing but never knew I loved it.

I always knew i had a good ear when I did dance and cheer because I could always stay on beat and loved the different elements and sounds in the music itself.

When I was younger I was taking voice lessons for a little bit until one day it just clicked that this is what i really wanted to do because I was really good at it

CM: When did you decide that music was the career for you?

M: I have been singing my whole life and always incorporated music into everything I did growing up, but it wasn't until I was 13 that I realized it could be a career and I was 15 when I told my mom that this was the career for me.

CM: Do you feel it's easy for a young woman such as yourself to make it in the music industry?

M: I don't think its easy for anyone to make it in the music world! Its a tough industry to break into! There are so many paths to take it's hard to know which is the right one.

I can only speak for myself and for me it's important to stay true to my path and make the best songs I can and hope that the industry accepts me.

CM: Tell us about your journey over the past six months. Have you worked with
anyone who has really inspired you?

M: Its been really crazy! I've been traveling back and forth to London writing and recording and preparing for the 'Shaky Knees' release! I loved working with Yoad Nevo on this track he's an inspirational producer

I also worked on an upcoming single, 'Summer Anthem', at Eastcote Studios; and just being in the same place Adele recorded was amazing, I was freaking out knowing that I was recording in
the same studio, because I really I look up to her. I am also looking forward to collaborating with other artists.

CM: Finally, what message would you like to bring to the world?

M: To just be yourself! Building myself up as an artist I got a lot of advice and critiques from people that i sometimes didn't agree with but I gave in anyway because I thought "they have been doing this for a long time; they know best." In doing that i found myself becoming lost and less personable and it made me not love what i was doing. I was not being authentic.

I finally realized people love me for me so why would I change who I am? I know that I have a God given gift, I know that I write great songs. i am a real artist and i will be who I am because
that makes me happy! So I want everyone to stick up for who they are no matter what they do because people will love them for being real.


See the video for 'Shaky Knees' here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bunx1ptvrwhtse1/Shaky%20Knees%20Official.mp4

Check Marcella out on www.marcellaofficial.com and follow her on twitter at @marcellasongs - Huffington Post

By Aaron Tinney, Senior Showbiz Reporter Published 13th February 2014

A US teen inspired by Amy Winehouse has launched her singing career in Britain - with the help of Girls' Aloud former producer.

Red-head Marcella is working with Yoad Nevo who famously produced Cheryl Cole and Co's hits as well as tracks for Sugababes and Pet Shop Boys.

Now he's adding his magic to Marcella's songs and London's famous Abbey Road Studios.

The 18 year old played one of her first UK gigs at London's Groucho Club this week...

(the rest can be read by following the link) - The Sun UK