V13 | FeaturesWomen of Rock: Hallie Marie Muses on the Female Artists Who Helped Shape Her

Original Article

Date: Nov 25, 2025

Hallie Marie dives into the makeup not only of her latest release but who she is as a female artist, sharing those who inspired her.

Hallie Marie is a multifaceted artist who beautifully balances light and shadow in her work. With an intellectually curious spirit, she dives deep into the complexities of human emotions, crafting music that resonates with listeners on many levels, from the highs of love and joy to the depths of melancholy. Drawing inspiration from artists like Sufjan Stevens, Billy Joel, and Phoebe Bridgers, Hallie’s sound blends pop, rock, and folk influences, creating a genuine connection through heartfelt lyrics and relatable storytelling.

Hallie’s new song, “Mary,” conveys the story of a woman trapped in an abusive marriage, following the painful descent of someone who can’t or won’t see the danger she’s in. The song’s refrain, “Give thanks to the rain, otherwise how you gonna know before it’s too late?” serves as both a warning and a wake-up call, urging listeners to recognize the signs of abuse before tragedy strikes.

Set against a backdrop of New Orleans swing, funky percussion, and sultry guitar lines, “Mary” creates a stark, chilling contrast: an upbeat groove paired with a message that is anything but light. With bold storytelling, emotional grit, and a groove you can’t shake, “Mary” is more than a song – it’s a warning, a mirror, and a possible lifeline.

Today, Hallie joins us for an edition of Women Of Rock, where she opens up about the female artists who inspired her sound.

Cover Art for “Mary”

1. Nina Simone

“Nina is certainly one of my all-time top inspirations. The pain in her voice was palpable, and it stunned everybody. As a black woman during the ’50s and ’60s, she played an essential role in the civil rights movement, writing heart-wrenching protest songs such as ‘Mississippi Goddamn’ about the Murder of Medgar Evers and the 16th Street bombing that killed four young girls. She was a tough woman and an incredible artist who rose to her greatness in spite of hatred, racism, and even an abusive marriage. I have always been especially reverent of her rendition of the song ‘Feeling Good,’ in which her voice conveys the staggering heartbreak of oppression, strong will and gritted teeth needed to deliver the true meaning of the song. She was able to communicate so much depth of experience, and that is something that I aspire to do even half as well.”

2. Chappell Roan

“One of the most talented people I’ve seen, Chappell‘s voice is just incredible, and her songwriting is masterful. I am inspired by her story. She got a record deal when she was 16 and got dropped by the label in her early 20s. She went back to working at a drive-through and almost quit music forever. But she gave it one last good shot, and all her hard work paid off.”

3. Kate Bush

“Talk about masterful songwriting, she’s a genius. Kate’s song ‘Wuthering Heights’ about how she fell in love with the character Heathcliff really stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it. Her lyrics stuck to me like ice on my bones, and her melodies, the key changes from one breath to another – it opened up a whole new world for me, writing-wise.”

4. Sylvia Plath

“Although her whole life she struggled with mental illness and eventually succumbed to depression, I learned a lot about writing from her. Those taboo places that a lot of poets and writers didn’t dare to go, she went there. She wasn’t afraid to get dark, to express things that made people uncomfortable, and sufferings the likes of which many people went through in silence. She never shied away from sharing her truth and doing so with such care for her craft. She was unsurpassable in her own way. Maybe it’s a bit corny, but the whole, ‘good art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable’ really rings true for me. She gets it.”

5. My Vocal Coach

“Another woman who inspires me greatly is my own vocal coach. She is such an expert and is very intuitive about what is going on with my voice and what to do about it. She actually helped me get my voice back when I had injured it. I had to learn better technique, and it was easy with her. She has really echoed for me that I can do anything I set my mind to. There was a time when I thought that, to a certain degree, what you’re born with is what you get; people always talk of natural born talent. But there is so much you can learn, no matter who you are. Anyone can learn how to sing. Now I am a voice lessons teacher myself, and I feel honoured to pass on the gift.”

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