First 3 Media Artist Spotlight

A closer look at the artists shaping today’s live music scene. We go beyond the stage to talk process, influences, and the stories behind the music—plus a few off-the-wall questions.

Mean Mary: Staying Unpredictable, On and Off the Stage

Mean Mary has built a reputation as a fiercely independent artist, blending high-level musicianship with an unfiltered, in-the-moment performance style. Whether playing solo or backed by a full band, her shows are known for their spontaneity, energy, and connection with the audience.

We caught up with her to talk about life on stage, adapting to different venues, and the realities behind the music.

Here’s our conversation with Mean Mary.

When you notice a photographer, do you play to the lens, ignore it, or feed off the energy?
I usually just go on like I normally do. It definitely makes you feel like a superstar having cameras pointed at you. It’s just later, when you see the photos and realize the camera really does add ten pounds, part of your hair was stuck to your lip during that one song, and you look like you’re being attacked by wild dogs when you hit those high notes—then you’re a little more self-conscious the next time.

Photographers are usually only allowed to shoot the first three songs. What are your opening three on this tour, and why do they make the perfect first impression—for both the crowd and the cameras?
For me it doesn’t just change from tour to tour—it can change from show to show, depending on the setup and the venue. I might be solo, a duo, or with a full band. Sometimes it’s a festival, sometimes a listening room, so the energy has to match the room. At the most recent show I opened with “No Man’s Land,” “Dark Woods,” and “Big Tour Bus,” two moody minor songs and then something lighter in a major key to shift the mood. I like constant variety, and right now I’m promoting all my albums, so I can pull from anywhere.

Which song in your set changes the most night to night depending on the room or the audience?
Pretty much any upbeat song. I surprise myself sometimes, especially when I’m playing solo and can just veer off in any direction or get the audience to join in with singing or some kind of noise making. I admit I do it with the band too, even though we planned things a certain way. Luckily I play with very talented and very patient people.

What’s the strangest or most unforgettable thing you’ve seen while looking out from the stage?
That’s a tough one. There have been a few shows over the years where people have done what I’ll politely call interpretive dance. Their outfits, or sometimes the lack of them, have been very… creative and definitely unforgettable.

Has a live photo or video ever changed the way you think about your own stage presence?
Yes, especially when it’s a fan-taken photo. It’s made me wish the internet didn’t exist. It also made me realize I really don’t think about how I look on stage and probably never will. I’m very much an in-the-moment kind of person.

In a live setting, what does success actually feel like: the sound, the crowd reaction, the band connection, or something else?
All of the above, but first the sound. Music is what I love, so I want it to sound the way I want to hear it. Playing smaller venues and not always being the headliner pretty much guarantees you won’t be 100 percent satisfied, but if it’s even close to your dream goal of sound, everything else falls into place. The audience, the connection, the energy all follow the sound for me.

Do you have a piece of stage gear, clothing, or even a lucky guitar pick that feels like your “armor” when the lights come up?
No, nothing lucky or special. I just like everything on stage to be a certain way, and if it isn’t it can throw me off my game, like where my instrument stands are placed and how much room I have. I don’t like small stages because I feel boxed in.

What’s the least glamorous part of being a musician?
Setting up gear, tearing down gear, changing clothes in the vehicle. Pretty much everything I do except the actual performing, which is only about two hours of a full day of much less glamorous work.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
That I’m still doing it and making a living at it. I think any musician has made it if they’re doing it, even if they’re sleeping in the car because they’re not making that good of a living. It’s art. Success is continuing to create art no matter what.

After you walk off stage, what’s your personal ritual—celebrating, late-night food, silence or something else?
Yes. Yes, to all of those. Celebrating, late-night food, the silence while I’m chewing that late-night food, and then crashing hard.

Outside of music, what’s something that’s currently holding your attention?
Too many things. I never have enough time for outside activities. I love the water, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and I’d like to fish again one of these days. I have a horse I never get to ride. There’s always a lot of behind-the-scenes work with music, especially after moving to Florida last year and setting up the recording studio in the new house. Now it’s working on the new property and trying to get a video studio up and running for my music video projects. I’m also doing a lot of writing right now. I’m never bored.

If you could choose one question you wish you were asked in interviews—but never are—what would it be, and what’s your answer?
Hmm. I know there are quite a few, especially when I’m in a philosophical mood and want to share all my views on things. Right now the only one that comes to mind is, “What would your last meal be if you were about to go to the electric chair?” I’d say fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and mac and cheese. You really can’t go wrong with that. It’s the ultimate comfort meal. For dessert, a vanilla cupcake with buttercream icing. That’s my go-to. Although a Krispy Kreme donut and a good cup of coffee would be pretty hard to turn down too.

Fast 3 with Mean Mary

• Pre-show mindset: Stay in the moment and adapt to the room
• Favorite part of performing: When the sound locks in and everything connects
• Go-to comfort meal: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese

Closing

With a constantly evolving setlist and a commitment to staying present on stage, Mean Mary continues to deliver performances that feel different every night.

https://meanmary.com