Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Marin.
Hi Sierra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in Carlsbad, California. Music has always been a refuge for me. Ever since I was nine and my parents borrowed our friend’s piano, I was in love with the feeling of peace and catharsis that came with bathing in the tones of my own soul.
As I grew up, I got much more into school and academia than music, having been fed a story by society that if one does not “succeed” in school, they will not “make it” in life. Music remained just a hobby. I excelled in my schooling and ended up attending UC Santa Barbara, where I studied Psychology and Indigenous Studies. I became so inspired and driven to hold space for deconditioning of the mind, body and spirit, seeing how deeply conditioned we are as a collective. The reclamation of our sovereignty is of the utmost importance if we are to turn things around on this planet for the better and for our literal survival.
Anyways, After college, I began working full time and became very depressed. Working day after day with a total sense of aimlessness was suffocating my spirit. I did not feel like I was living on purpose. After many things in my life fell apart, I was left with no excuse but to jump into the unknown.
One day I packed my backpack, grabbed my guitar and the $150 I had to my name and started hitchhiking north. All I knew was I needed to restore my faith in humanity and existence and that I wanted to go to Mount Shasta.
I ended up loving on the road for two years, hitchhiking and traveling on hippie buses, busking on street corners and at farmer’s markets to make money for food and gas all along the way.
I saw from experience that I could be without a dollar in my pocket in a totally new place and that I would be provided for as long as I showed up in love and shared my music. My trust in the unknown and in the flow became the only certainty I had. I was so so happy.
Eventually, I became tired of always moving and not having a place to ground, so I made my way out to Hawaii as spirit called me there.
I bought a one way ticket and fell in love with the island, the land, the culture, the community. I was gifted with so many new songs and shared them at every chance I got. People on the island started to learn. The lyrics to my songs, such as Love is the Medicine. I saw that my music was doing for others what it had done for me…it created a safe sonic space to remember one’s sovereignty and true nature. It created an environment of loving empowerment and celebration of what it is to be authentically living and growing in this life. Reclaiming and rewriting our stories. Redreaming this individual and collective existence by our thoughts, words and deeds. Showing up in a good way for each other and for our precious Mother Earth!
I had never felt more in alignment with my path. This is why I am here in this life…to activate these codes of sovereign divinity and beauty that lay dormant within many of us. To speak for Mother Earth and for the power of love to heal all things.
And so now this is what I live for. Back in Southern California, I am spreading these messages through my music and now have an incredible band of amazing musicians that I get to work with!
And the story continues…..
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Self-doubt has been the toughest thing to get through. The frustration that I’m not already “there.” I believe in this music so much and see how much it can heal and sometimes I get discouraged by the music industry mentalities and pace.
In these days of social media and living in a comparison-based society, it’s easy to forget the impact we can have in this life by mistakenly looking at likes and followers instead of the depth of each moment and the ripple effect that our creations and actions have.
The more I remember I am not like anyone else and therefore my path has not been written, the more liberated and empowered I become to stay the course and stay true to my heart’s callings.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Conscious musician.
I write, record, produce and perform intentional reggae folk hip hop fusion.
I am a live looping multi-instrumentalist, so I beatbox and play keys guitar and bass and layer my voice over them when I am not playing with my band, The Shepards of Ascension.
I am also a music producer and work with other artists to help get their music out there. When I record artists, I am sure to hold space for the most authentic expression of that person to come through.
I love what I do!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Slowwww down!
The crisis forced me to let go of my most busy year I had planned musically and to return to the root of why I play music. To the core of what music means to me and to rebuild from that place of deeper intentionality.
Also that times are changing and the way the world is being run will not last so it’s up to us to become masters in our crafts and to live sustainably and in community, for that is the future.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sierramarin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sierramarinmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sierramarinmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi-jgfigV-3O2RWjDicwgNA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sierramarinmusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/62gdD5Q6ICJZjjnhjqKq55
