By:Sadie christine
Mara Riann has always been influenced by country music, and her original songs are a testament to her passion for writing and that country sound. We recently sat down with Mara to discuss her newest single, “Stubborn, Smart and Blonde,” her music influences, and the “win” of receiving drunk texts.
Having lived in San Antonio, Texas, on a military base due to her dad being a pilot, Mara recalls always being surrounded by country music. She shares that some of her earliest inspirations were Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, and The Chicks.
Mara tells us, “Growing up, I think I was three or four, I lived in Texas in San Antonio, on a military base, and they did a benefit concert right when Miranda Lambert first hit the scene. She won a competition and went around to all the bases, and I got to meet her. From that moment, it was like, ‘I’m obsessed, I wanna be a rock star, I wanna be Miranda.’”
On top of her love for Miranda Lambert, Mara shares her admiration for Lauren Watkins, who she says is her all-time favourite. Mara tells us that Lauren is an inspiration because she stays true to herself and touches on topics that feel relatable, like chasing your dreams and being on tour, while still wanting to be at home and raise a family.
Ahead of Mara’s new single, “Stubborn, Smart and Blonde,” Mara released “With All That I Am,” earlier this summer. When asked about the writing process for that song, Mara shares, “I write sad.That’s just how I get the flow going, writing sad, and it’s not easy for me to write happy feelings and translate that in my writing. So, I was thinking about other people’s relationships, like my Mom and Stepdad, and their story, and feelings I felt in past relationships, and wrote it based on that and put myself in those shoes.”
Mara tells us how she then brought it to her producer, Jessica, where they both decided on simple, pulled-back production, focusing on the lyrics and vocals.
“Stubborn, Smart and Blonde” is Mara’s latest single, which she describes as “different and fun.” The sassy song, which was released September 9th, is about “plotting on someone” and not being shocked that she got what she wanted because, like the hook says, she’s stubborn, smart, and blonde.
2025 was an exciting year for Mara, as it was her debut year releasing her own original music. Her first song, “Drunk Texts,” was released last July, a song she wrote about an ex. When asked about the craziest or funniest drunk text story she has, Mara explains that whenever she receives a drunk text, she likes to tease the ex by sending him a screenshot of her song, along with asking if he was listening to it and got inspired. Mara says drunk texts are “honestly a win.”
Closing off our conversation, we had to ask Mara, “What is your Era?” which asks what song from her own discography resonates the most with her today.
Mara chose “One Night Only,” off her EP of the same name. She shares that this song has a different sound compared to her previous songs and that her releases going forward have a new sound that is reminiscent of this sound direction. She says, “I would say ‘One Night Only’ is probably the era I’m in right now. Sassy, flirtatious, and different.”
Thank you, Mara, for this conversation! Mara shares that she has many new songs she recorded over the summer that are set to be released in the fall! Be sure to listen to “Stubborn, Smart and Blonde,” out now on all streaming platforms!
Stay Wild, Stay Creative, Stay Country
