After more than a decade fronting Highland Kites, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mar Lamar is stepping into a bold new chapter – one defined by fearless authenticity, emotional depth, and creative reinvention. Her debut solo single, “Someone to Blame”, signals much more than a sonic shift – it’s a reclaiming of voice, agency and artistic joy after a years-long hiatus shaped by motherhood, healing and persistence.
In this candid conversation, Mar Lamar opens up about the journey from illness to inspiration, the delicate balance of parenting and music-making, and the quiet rebellion at the heart of her vibrant new sound. With more music and a poetry book on the horizon, Lamar is only just beginning.
LOCK: Tell us a little about your story and background
Mar Lamar: I have been making music now for close to 14 years! I started learning piano in my mid 20s after surviving some severe complications from lyme disease. I had neurological issues, was on a ton of medication, and felt like a shell of a person. Originally I wanted to learn piano to help recover my ability to think and learn. It did that – but also gave me an outlet to tell my story, and a new purpose to create that’s held on all this time. I can’t imagine myself without music now, it feels so much a part of who I am. It saved me in a way, being able to turn all that pain into something beautiful.
LOCK: Who are your biggest musical influences?
Mar Lamar: I have so many, we listen to all different kinds of music in my house. I would say the most influential to forming my taste is probably what I listened to as a kid and teen. My dad has always loved music, so from an early age I would browse through his CDs and listen to them. I fell in love with bands like Guns N’ Roses, Tracy Chapman, Fleetwood Mac, and all different kinds of blues and Latin music. My dad is Puerto Rican.
Once I hit the pre-teen/teen phase I was heavily attached to alternative rock. I loved Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Prodigy, and the list goes on.
Some of my current favourites are Sharon Van Etten, The National, First Aide Kit, Boy Genius, St. Vincent, Adrianne Lenker. To name a few!
LOCK: Congratulations on the release of your debut single, “Someone to Blame”. Can you elaborate on the meaning and message behind the song?
Mar Lamar: Thank you! I originally was venting about being so sick of my tendency to be a people pleaser and prove to myself that I did the right thing, that I helped, even if it all fell apart in the end. It turned into a bit of a cheeky comment on my imperfections, and a reminder that in the end, we are all human.
LOCK: How do you balance your music career with parenting two young daughters?
Mar Lamar: I don’t even know to be honest. I have an incredibly supportive family; my mom helps me with my kids for a few hours every day. My husband really supports my artistic endeavours as well. I think a lot of it is just having incredible people in my life who care about my goals and not just about me as a mom but me as a whole entire person.
The other thing I can say is I continue to make it a priority. My girls love that I do music, and because I have included it in our lives they are being exposed to songwriting, studios, instruments, live music and all that good stuff. I don’t wait until I have time to create, I force it into my life and schedule as much as I possibly can. It makes me feel more alive, that in itself makes it important.
LOCK: Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?
Mar Lamar: I have had moments where I have felt more behind. I wanted kids and a family but that process weighs much more heavily on my time and body than if I were a man. I do feel ageism affects us women greater than men in the industry. Like we have to work 5 times as hard to get to the same place if that makes sense?
With that being said, I try not to focus on these things. My kids have given me something I could never repay them for: maturity, and a selfless kind of love that has changed the way I look at everything around me. I have less time now but more inspiration than ever. It’s like motherhood freed a dam of emotions I didn’t even know was being held back. It added an unexplainable dimension to my thoughts.
LOCK: What advice would you give to women starting out in the music industry?
Mar Lamar: Learn how to do as much as you can yourself! Learn music production, write tons of songs, keep learning about all facets of the industry. Know enough that when you’re in any setting you can speak out of experience and knowledge, and stand up for yourself with certainty. Be a kind person but don’t be a pushover. Stand your ground and know what you’re talking about!
LOCK: Who are some women that inspire you outside of music?
Mar Lamar: My mom is the kindest, most selfless person. She’s not only involved in my and my kids’ lives but she works with children all day as a tutor. Everything she does in life is because she genuinely loves to help people, but you’d never find her being pushed around; she is tough and takes no shit from anyone, and I love that about her.
I come from a line of very strong but kind women. I admire them so much. I could tell stories about every one of them!
LOCK: Now that your first single is out – what else can new fans of yours look forward to? What’s next?
Mar Lamar: I have 3 more songs from this batch of recordings I’ll be releasing soon. I am so proud of all of them. I have a poetry book on the horizon as well (hopefully by the end of the year).
I put on monthly shows for indie musicians and writers here in Nashville called Treehouse Nashville (which was originally created in LA by Alexandra Duparc and is branching out to different states now). I am working on doing this monthly and just supporting the community here as well.
On top of all that, I’m hoping to be able to get back in the studio to finish recording this album.