Visions of an Artist: Marlene Mendoza
Marlene Mendoza is as talented as they come when it comes to talented underrated women in the metalcore scene. A metal singer and songwriter from New York City, the prismatic talent took the path as a solo artist after graduating with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Music and touring with several bands as a guitarist. Currently having three singles out "A Battle Between Two Lesser Evils," "Not Afraid," and "Karma," she continues to push the envelope as a Latina woman in the rock and metalcore scene. When the multi-talented artist is not touring, Marlene teaches guitar/piano/ukulele/bass and creates reaction videos on YouTube. We caught up with the independent artist to pick her brain on her favorite artist! Check out her latest single "Karma" down below!
The first album I ever bought was?
TLC: Fanmail. I remember bumping this album with my walkman. Such a great time back then!
An album I wish I created was?
Periphery III: Select Difficulty. It’s so musically inclined that I wish I wrote it.
Favorite Album Art?
This is a hard one but I am going to say Escape the Fate: Dying Is Your Latest Fashion. It’s sexy and dirty at the same time.
Someone asked what my definition of Metal was, the album I told them to listen to was?
Slipknot: All Hope Is Gone; all songs front to back scream Metal to me.
An album I can drive around to nonstop is?
Veil of Maya: Matriarch. It definitely keeps me awake especially on long drives and it's super fun to sing along to!
An album I'm addicted to listening to is?
I enjoy listening to I Prevail: Trauma. It’s so good front to back. I can never get enough of that album.
An album no one will believe I listen to or own is?
Stromae: Cheese. Stromae is super talented. He’s more of a pop/electronic artist which is different but I really enjoy his creativity. Also, the whole album is in French!
An album I detest most is?
There’s really not an album that I detest.
An album that takes me back to my childhood is?
Tokio Hotel: Scream. It reminds me of my high school days more than my childhood. But it’s such a good album.
An album that got me got me into my career as a musician?
Avenged Sevenfold: City of Evil; that's how I started learning the guitar is by playing some of the songs on this album.
The soundtrack to my life would be?
This is a hard question but honestly, any soundtrack made by John Williams is superb and has been a part of my life.
An album that will always hold sentimental value is?
Panic at the Disco: A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Love this album to death. It holds dear to my heart that I even got some of the music tattooed on me.
If you were left stranded on an island with nothing but a CD player, batteries, and one album, which album would you want to be left with to pass the time?
Bring Me the Horizon: Sempiternal. It might make me go crazy for a second but that’s the point. It’s going to make time pass quicker haha.
An album that gets me through dark times is?
The Neighbourhood: I Love You. It just automatically puts me at peace and calm. It’s such a vibe.
Pre-save her new single “Lost Control” here debuting April 9th of this year.