We Speak Music

Mary Hatley Shares Stories of Love and Survival in New Record ‘The Poison I Choose’

Published

10 months ago

October 6, 2025

Mary Hatley’s debut album The Poison I Choose hits like a gut punch wrapped in velvet. Recorded at Memphis’ famed Easley McCain with producer Matt Qualls, the 12-track set announces a singer-songwriter with a voice carved from lived experience and a pen that spares no detail. It’s the kind of record that takes the messiness of life—love, trauma, resilience—and spins it into something both confessional and universal.

The opener, As Long As You’re Mine, sets the tone: a slow-burning declaration of vulnerability that unfolds with the emotional charge of Stevie Nicks or Bonnie Raitt. From there, Hatley moves between smoky ballads (Be My Lover, Can’t Forget You Now) and sharp-edged storytelling (Didn’t See A Ring), showcasing her range not just as a vocalist but as a writer unafraid to pull from the most painful corners of her past.

Songs like Cross You Twice and Wine, Flowers, & Blood cut deeper, tackling religious trauma and political unrest with a clarity rare for a debut. These aren’t easy subjects, but Hatley approaches them with a mix of grit and grace, situating her voice in the long lineage of Memphis artists who’ve turned struggle into song. Her ability to balance the personal and political marks her as more than just another Americana hopeful—she’s a truth-teller.

But it’s not all darkness. Dog Days offers light in the aftermath of grief, while Ricochet explodes with defiance, an anthem for starting over on your own terms. What Are You Gonna Do, a rollicking ode to Memphis nightlife, brings welcome levity, grounding the album in the place that shaped it. These tracks ensure the album isn’t weighed down—it breathes, it celebrates, it lives.

The Poison I Choose is a striking first statement from an artist who’s clearly in it for the long haul. Mary Hatley doesn’t just write songs; she builds worlds from her scars and joys. In a musical landscape often crowded with surface-level emotion, her debut cuts to the bone—and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

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We Speak Indie Artist

How Dayton Ohio’s Raxz Turned Adversity Into Opportunity

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

MJ Savino

Every artist has a story, but few are as powerful as Raxz’s. The Dayton, Ohio native has faced challenges that could have stopped most people in their tracks. After serving an 11-year prison sentence and enduring the heartbreaking loss of both parents, he made a decision to rewrite his future through music.

A major turning point came when his mother left him a letter encouraging him to focus on his God-given talent. Her words became a source of strength and motivation, inspiring him to take his music career seriously and pursue the dreams he’d long put aside.

That dedication is paying off. Raxz has collaborated with respected artists such as Sally Sossa, Slatt Zy, and Trecinco, building a reputation for authenticity and determination. In 2022, he was recognized by XXL Magazine as an artist to watch, further validating his growing presence in the industry.

While success hasn’t come without setbacks, Raxz has remained committed to his vision. Whether battling self-doubt, maintaining consistency, or navigating the business side of music, he’s continued to push forward.

Now, he’s preparing for the release of City of Dragons, a project he describes as his most complete and hardest-hitting work to date. With production from Sauce Sinatra, Yung Steely, and members of 808 Mafia, expectations are high.

As his audience continues to grow, Raxz is proving that no matter where you’ve been, your story doesn’t have to define your future. Stream his new single “First Flight” below.