Happy new year! Hope you have had a good start to 2026. So far my year has been busy – and full of lots of good things! You may be aware that I released my latest single over Christmas – a deeply personal song about discovering my long lost grandmother, a 1940s radio singer I never got to meet. I have just released the official video, filmed by Preet Singh at Sector One Media. I'd love you to see the video – you can watch it here.
I am really pleased with the way the song has been received so far - from a write up in Jammerzine and then being selected as one of their top artists of 2025, to being championed by local radio stations across the UK, the most important thing for me though has been how it has been received by you, my listeners. I have had so much positive feedback which I am so grateful for. And the exciting news is that I have recently been doing lots of song writing sessions with Paul Anders and have an EP in the making of what I hope will be my best work yet!
It's been a real revelation releasing my latest song, as the journey itself mirrored the song's message about connection and letting go. I knew I had been creatively blocked but didn't realise to what extent. I dreamt so hard about everything going perfectly and being this big defining moment in my career, that I was putting too much pressure on myself around it all. That pressure was stopping me from moving forwards. Funnily enough, sharing this song publicly has helped me let go of so much I was holding on to, and came with a realisation that there is perfection in just letting things be what they are. This may not be the big moment in my career that I imagined it could be, but it is still an achievement and a stepping stone towards my success.
Last year was a year of lots of achievements, alongside navigating creative challenges. I overcame my fears to start my own jazz open mic event, and earned money performing my original songs. I continued doing the Cruising show on Ujima Radio and I also launched a podcast with sustainable fashion stylist Meg Cox, which I have a dedicated page for that you can find on the menu of this website.
Last week, I found myself in the position of having to record the podcast on my own at the last minute without a plan, and it prompted me to rise to the challenge and create an episode I am proud of by thinking on my feet. That felt serendipitous – the episode is about winging it, rising up to challenges, feeling the fear and getting on with it anyway.
I talk through all the challenges I went through last year in depth, coping with stomach lurching anxiety, dealing with creative blocks and grief, and how coming up with creative solutions to challenges has led me to where I am now, filled with renewed vigour and full of positive energy and high hopes for 2026. I'd love you to listen to the episode and let me know what you think! It will be broadcast on January 20th at 1pm on www.ujimaradio.com or you can listen again here.
Before I go, if you have got this far I just want to say thank you so much for being here! Your support means so much to me. If you haven't already then please do go and watch my new video on YouTube, and if my work moves you in some way then please share it with a friend – perhaps it might inspire them too!
This year feels full of possibility, and I'm excited to see where the music takes me. It would be really helpful if you can spread the word and share the love so that I can continue with this work, go on to performing on bigger stages, and reach more people with these stories and songs.
Much love,
Mary
Images by Preet Singh at Sector One Media