To Bend to the Will of a Dream That's Being Fulfilled (Digital Download)
Marcella Simien, a ninth-generation Louisiana Creole, draws from her lineage of healers and artists to create soul-stirring music that reflects her journey of self-discovery, spirituality, and identity. Born into a musical family, Marcella was practically raised onstage, surrounded by legends like Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, David Hidalgo and her father, Terrance Simien, a two-time GRAMMY™ winner. Her deep Louisiana Creole heritage and upbringing in the vibrant world of music have profoundly influenced her artistry.
Over the past three years, Marcella embarked on a holistic transformation, becoming a yoga teacher, eliminating toxins from her life, and deepening her connection with her racial identity, body image, and spiritual self. This journey led to a profound personal awakening, marked by her decision to discontinue pharmaceutical treatment for ADD and embrace a clean, holistic lifestyle.
Marcella’s forthcoming debut solo album, To Bend to the Will of a Dream That's Being Fulfilled, captures this deeply personal journey. She played every instrument, wrote every lyric, and sang every vocal part herself. “I felt it necessary to have my hand touch every aspect of this collection of music,” she says. “This was a deeply personal, very physical experience to go through, and it was imperative that I used my body as the vehicle to create every tone and texture of this project.”
The album resonates with the sounds of the South, blending traditional instruments like the accordion and frottoir with contemporary production and electronic elements. Influenced by her love for Rāga and Indian music, Marcella also incorporates the harmonium and tanpura, creating a unique soundscape that reflects her journey of spirituality, ancestral healing, and self-acceptance.
In her former project, Marcella & Her Lovers, she captivated audiences with her “Psychedelic Swamp Soul Music,” a hybrid of classic Memphis soul and the freewheeling swagger of New Orleans funk. Her lyrics explore themes of love, loss, and empowerment, with each performance embodying the strength and resilience of her Creole roots.
Marcella’s commitment to her heritage and community extends beyond her music. She is passionate about community outreach, offering workshops in artistic development and yoga techniques for musicians. Her recent tour in Colombia as part of a cultural exchange program deepened her commitment to nurturing young creatives.
Marcella’s career highlights include contributing to the GRAMMY-winning album Dockside Sessions and her involvement in Disney Park's Tiana’s Bayou Adventure amusement ride. With her album, To Bend to the Will of a Dream That's Being Fulfilled, Marcella is poised to inspire and connect with audiences, encouraging them to embrace their own journeys of healing and identity.
Tracklist:
1. Bloodline
2. Time is Wild
3. Lelia
4. D4YTIME DR3AM
5. Eyes On
6. Stars
7. Psychic
8. Sahasrara
9. Yogananda's Affirmation (ft. Qemist)
10. Eyes On (Alternate Version)