Ukrainian singer-songwriter MARIÈLLE : I don't limit myself with any boundaries when writing songs – I write what I feel

MARIÈLLE – a Ukrainian singer-songwriter who sees songwriting as a form of self-therapy. In February 2025, she released her second solo song, Lock on the Heart, where she desperately poured out her pain.

MARIÈLLE shared with Drive Music Media her thoughts on the beginning of her musical journey, her new release Lock on the Heart, and building a career amidst russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

Interviewer: What does your pseudonym MARIÈLLE mean?

MARIÈLLE: My pseudonym is very symbolic to me and carries special meanings. It came to me naturally. Since childhood, I have loved the animated movie The Little Mermaid. Besides the voice and bright hair, I share many traits with the main character. At some point, people started associating me with her and even calling me "The Little Mermaid". Additionally, my real name translates from Latin as "of the sea". So, I decided to combine my name with my favorite character’s name – Ariel – modifying it slightly. That's how MARIÈLLE was born.

Interviewer: When and how did your musical journey begin? What were your first steps in this field?

MARIÈLLE: It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when my musical journey began because I started making music in childhood. I graduated from music school as a pianist and frequently performed at various school and local concerts. Later, I was a vocalist in a rock band for some time. Music has always been an inseparable part of my life. However, my path as a singer-songwriter – creating and performing my own songs – started about a year ago.

Interviewer: Why did you choose rock as your genre? What do you feel when creating music in this style?

MARIÈLLE: First and foremost, rock is my favorite genre – the one I grew up with. Many international rock bands have inspired me. But everything truly began when I discovered Linkin Park during my school years and heard Chester Bennington’s voice for the first time. My life was divided into “before” and “after.” I was mesmerized by his incredible vocals and energy. I realized I wanted to learn to sing like that – to pour all my thoughts and emotions into my own songs. It’s like singing not just with your voice, but with your soul. That’s why I want to create music that touches people’s hearts.

Right now, I’m deeply inspired by Falling in Reverse’s frontman, Ronnie Radke. His songs and personal musical journey motivate me to keep going despite any obstacles.

Interviewer: Tell us about your release Lock on the Heart, which came out last week. What meaning did you embed in this song? What was the process of creating the music video like?

MARIÈLLE: The track Lock on the Heart is deeply personal and emotional –born from my own experiences, pain, and tears. It’s a desperate outpouring of everything I’ve been through, both in the lyrics and the music. This song marks the end of a love story I lived through, allowing me to free myself from the weight of the past. It speaks about the disappointment in love and the painful truth that sometimes we fall deeply, but our feelings remain unreciprocated, met only with coldness and indifference.

The "Lock on the heart" symbolizes one partner’s unwillingness to open up to love. The music video, as an essential part of the song, helps deepen the emotional impact. This visual piece is my confession. I wanted to emphasize specific symbolic details that are meaningful to me. My friend, Nina Ukraintseva, who is also the co-writer of this song, directed the video. We have a perfect creative understanding, so I knew she would bring my vision to life exactly as I imagined.

Interviewer: Do you have a song that holds special meaning for you but will never be released? What is it about?

MARIÈLLE: All my songs come from my poetry. I started writing poems long before I began composing music, back in school. They are always deeply personal, based on my own emotions and experiences. Some of them are so intimate that I find it hard to share them. I still have many such poems left unpublished. But who knows? Maybe one day I’ll find the courage to turn them into songs. I don’t want to hide my art anymore – on the contrary, I want to share it so people can hear me.

Interviewer: How difficult is it to build a music career during russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine? What challenges do you face on this path?

MARIÈLLE: Living through a full-scale war is hard, and building a music career under these conditions is even harder. The biggest struggle is the constant creative crisis and internal battle. Sometimes, it feels like my art is "irrelevant" or that no one needs it right now. Artists are especially sensitive and vulnerable. There are also many external limitations that complicate the creative process. Moreover, I am originally from the Donetsk region, and my hometown is currently under occupation. I lost my home, and for a while, I fell into a deep depression because of it. There were moments when I felt like giving up entirely. But I always try to find the strength to stand up and keep going because I know that music is the only thing that helps me survive in these conditions and stay sane. The support of my family and friends also plays a crucial role in keeping me motivated.

Interviewer: Tell us about your first live performance with your own songs. What did you feel at that moment? How did you prepare for the event? What was the first song you performed?

MARIÈLLE: My first original song that I performed live was The City of Shadows. It was the official presentation of my debut track. I sang it with a band accompanying me. That moment was incredibly important and nerve-wracking. I had never imagined how emotionally challenging it would be to perform my own song for the first time. People were hearing it for the first time, and I had no idea how they would react or whether they would connect with it.

Interviewer: What projects are you working on right now?

MARIÈLLE: Right now, my team and I are working on new songs. I also plan to re-release my first song, "The City of Shadows". It is completely different from my second release, "Lock on the Heart". My debut song was more of an experiment, but despite that, it resonated with listeners. However, I was still searching for my unique sound back then. Now, I want to release a renewed rock version of the song – giving it a second life and allowing listeners to experience it from a fresh perspective.

Interviewer: Tell us about your team. Who are the people you work with on your music?

MARIÈLLE: I work with incredibly talented musicians who also have their own music projects –Nina Ukraintseva (PulseSiren) and Ivan Brusenko (Puzzlebox). We share a strong creative synergy. They truly understood my poetry and managed to translate its meanings into music, helping me bring my vision to life exactly as I had imagined.

Interviewer: What mission do you have as a Ukrainian singer? Why did you choose this mission?

MARIÈLLE: Through my music, I want to be honest with my audience – to share my stories and talk about the topics that matter to me. Writing songs about my personal experiences is my way of processing emotions – like a form of therapy. The emotions I’ve lived through turn into poetry and then into songs.

Every track reflects my inner world, and I want to share pieces of it with my listeners. I hope my songs and personal journey help people through difficult times in their lives –reminding them that they are not alone.

Pictures were provided by MARIÈLLE