Mary Leay on SoundBetter

Pop vocalist and platinum selling topliner

Mary Leay is a London based songwriter and vocalist published by Reservoir Music. Perhaps best known in the songwriting circle for the Platinum Top 40 co-write for MK / Becky Hill, 'Piece of Me,' which has amassed over 140 million plays on Spotify.
Additional major cuts include tracks penned for Cher’s 25th studio album and The X Factor boy band runners-up Union J. Mary is a signed writer for artists across EDM, pop and country but because of her adaptable and unique vocal she often ends up featuring on dance releases. She has been working with some widely loved dance producers including Paul Harris, Eden Prince, Carl Ryden as well as up-and-coming producers, Tobias Bergson, Lipless, Boilers, Carly Wilford & Sugar Jesus, which recently led to featuring on Spotify’s ‘Songwriters Hub’ celebrating “new songwriters to watch.”

On SoundBetter she's a vocalist first and foremost providing high quality vocals for your professional demos for pitch / synch or for commercial release. With a diverse and adaptable vocal she can bring a Holly Humberstone indie bedroom pop voice for intimate songs or turn up the volume for a house banger or rock track.
She will happily consider providing toplines if she's into the track.

Looking forward to working with you and hearing your tracks!

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

Languages

English

3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Mary Leay

by Natalya E.
Verified
Mary has been an absolute diamond. From lyrics to melody changes, helped bring my track to life and I can’t wait to work with her again 😁 thanks so much Mary
by Drew Tyler
Mary is an absolutely amazing songwriter / topliner. We ended up working on a song together and it's honestly one of my all time favorites. My favorite thing from working with her was the way she fought hard for the lyrics and story. Because of her, we went back and rewrote a couple sections which radically changed the entire song. The edits were not crazy or large by any means, but completely made the song. Shows her expertise in writing. I write with people just about every day and Mary stood out - you should absolutely hire her to take your project to the next level
by Rich Pilkington
Mary Leay is an incredible writer and vocalist. Her professionalism is second to none and she has produced some incredible quality toplines and vocals for my project. I certainly will be working with her on many songs to come. Can't recommend working with her enough as she is such a delight to work with!

Interview with Mary Leay

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Maybe a touch of both. Love the manipulation of digital and what it can do to a human voice. But analog remains the truth and the timeless and all songs need an element of that.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Authenticity, loyalty, my very best.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love being able to be creative every day. I'm never not singing or writing something!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I can't belt a tune! I have quite a big rock vocal when required!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is your ideal outcome for this song? What references of vocal style / song can you provide to help me create.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Get in touch!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A notebook A pen A guitar A phone to play songs and record voice notes
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started off as a folk artist, was managed by Marc Marot at Crown Management in London. I started writing pop songs, worked on X Factor with the groups (the year of Ella Henderson and Ryland!), ended up writing for some lesser known boy and girl bands, wrote a song for Cher and got a fairly big cut for Becky Hill and MK 'Piece of Me'.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Phoebe Bridgers and Holly Humberstone meets up with Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell and makes a dance tune with Lost Frequencies.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: There's many. But Phoebe Bridgers because she has that perfect combination of pop hooks and a stunning haunting memorable vocal that makes your heart hurt. I'd love to write with her.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Often the first vocal take is worth keeping because the magic of the 'not trying too hard' turns out to be the most beautiful and real.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, dance, country, synch for TV, film.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Vocals that make hairs stand on end. Melodies that pulls heart strings.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Quality unique vocals, tight poppy melodies and hooks.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If I am simply recording vocals I will turn this around really quickly. I just get to know the melodies and lyrics and then usually aim to have 3 great vocal takes. If I am writing a full topline I will make sure I've communicated any concepts or lyrical ideas before going too far off in any one direction! I will find a strong concept and then build on lyrics as the melody is written.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have an easy and adaptable set up and work on logic pro x to record quality vocals. I'm not a producer but produce a high quality vocal and can send over vocal stems or full audio files either with a basic vocal production or dry if you want to produce yourself.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I love working with talented producers across pop, dance, country and those who are writing for synch.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: As a published writer I am usually in sessions with a producer or an artist or both. I often end up providing vocals for the track from high quality demos for commercial pitching which requires real versatility to full releases.