Marie Chain Unveils "Holy Water" With a Soulful New Track and Revealing Interview on Transformation and Sound
- STAFF
- Aug 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 3
By: Staff
Marie Chain's "Holy Water" is a mesmerizing anthem of empowerment, blending powerful vocals with global rhythms.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the soul-stirring sound of "Holy Water ", the latest release from an artist who’s reshaping the musical landscape with her dynamic blend of soulful harmonies and global rhythms. With a voice that flows effortlessly between powerful ballads and energetic grooves, this track offers more than just music, it’s an experience. We recently spoke with the Berlin-based sensation behind the song, whose unique fusion of Afrobeats, blues, and gospel has captivated listeners around the world.
"Holy Water" is a track that invites transformation, letting go, and embracing the flow of change, capturing the essence of a personal cleansing ritual through music. Its infectious melody and positive message have already begun to leave a lasting impact, and there’s so much more to uncover about the vision behind it.
In our conversation, we explored the inspiration behind the song, which came to life during a hiking journey through the Bavarian Alps. From there, the song’s journey took the artist to Angola, where Afrobeats influenced the rhythm and energy, before being completed in Berlin. Her approach to music is as dynamic as her sound, blending classical training with modern, genre-defying influences.
Intrigued? We spoke about everything from personal transformation through music to how she connects with fans globally. Trust us, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Keep reading to discover the creative process, challenges, and motivations driving "Holy Water", and much more from this rising star.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Marie Chain, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. For the fans meeting you for the first time, Is Marie Chain your given name or a stage name? What inspired you to choose that for your artist persona?
A. Marie Chain is my stage name—though Marie is my real name, yes. I got “baptized” in Barcelona by one of my bandmates back when I lived there. The name Chain holds layers: it speaks of liberation—becoming unchained from systems, limitations, expectations. It also honors the suffering of enslaved people and chain gangs in the U.S., who sang work songs as a form of communication and relief—songs that evolved into the Blues. That’s the root. And a chain also stands for connection, the invisible links that bind us all.
Q. We loved the powerful vocals and the way your cadence flows seamlessly between soulful harmonies and energetic rhythms in "Holy Water." There's a palpable sense of transformation in the track, almost as if it carries listeners through a personal cleansing ritual. Your voice truly elevates the message of letting go and embracing change. When did you discover your voice, and what was the turning point that led you from singing in the mirror to recording professionally?
A. Thank you, that means a lot! Honestly, it all started with a hairbrush in my hand, performing full music video choreographies in front of the mirror. I already knew as a baby that I´m a singer. At five, I started classical piano and vocal training. Music has always been the core of my life—my sweet, safe sanctuary. And 14 years ago, I made the leap into being a professional musician.
Q. As a teaser description, what would you tell someone about this song to intrigue them about its meaning if you only had 1 sentence to get them interested in listening to it?
A. Holy Water is a joyful sonic ritual - press play and feel the vibration rising through your body, your mind letting go of what no longer serves you and your feet moving to the beat.
Q. Where do you start the production of your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with an outside producer? How do you finalize your finished work, i.e. self-mixed/mastered or another source?
A. Every song is a journey of its own. For Holy Water, I recorded the demo spontaneous in Angola, inspired by the local Afrobeats scene, while I was there for a show. Back in Berlin, I teamed up with a producer from Nigeria, and we brought the track to life together. Then I sent it off to a mixing and mastering engineer in the U.S. It’s an international collaboration from start to finish - global soul ☺
Q. You describe yourself as more of a “channel” than a creator of music. Can you tell us about the flow of inspiration you experience when writing songs?
A. Absolutely. I write most of my songs while traveling - when I’m truly present and in flow, the music and lyrics just come, usually within minutes. I pick them up from somewhere - like a frequency I tune into. I don’t even see myself as the creator—more like the messenger. Of course, I can sit down and write intentionally too, but the best songs come when I’m inspired—visually, emotionally... Nature, connection, beauty, people – that inspires me. That’s when the magic flows.
Q. With “Holy Water” being a fusion of Afro rhythms, gospel melodies, and soulful harmonies, what does the blending of these genres mean to you on a deeper level, especially in terms of the cultural and spiritual messages you're conveying through the song?
A. Music, for me, is about building bridges. I work across genres and cultures to inspire unity and remembrance. I’ve always felt that music is the heartbeat of culture, and blending gospel, Afro rhythms, and soul isn’t just a style - it’s a statement. A celebration of the global human legacy. My classical training definitely helps with merging sounds, but at its heart, it’s about using music to reconnect people - with themselves, with each other, with something bigger. Music can guide us back to the heart.
Q. You mentioned that the idea for “Holy Water” came to you while hiking in the Bavarian Alps. What role does nature and the environment play in your songwriting process? Do you find that different places inspire different types of music or emotions?
A. Yes—every place has a sound, a rhythm, a soul, a cultural identity. I pick that up and translate it into music. Take that hike in the Bavarian Alps—suddenly, I channeled this message that felt almost religious, while I was fully immersed into nature. The term “Holy Water” might feel Catholic, fitting for Bavaria, but I flipped it. The song redefines that idea - freeing it from old systems, wrapping it in Afrobeats and Blues. That’s the source: liberation through nature and rhythm.
Q. Your music spans a wide array of genres, and “Global Soul” is a term you use to describe your unique sound. We love this and totally agree. We would love to hear the way your songs are birthed and the process from first thought to the rough draft of a song.
A. It all starts with a download, an inspiration. A melody, a line, a rhythm enters my mind, often while I’m on the move. I’ll capture it on my phone or at my piano. Usually, the arrangement and chords are already playing in my head - I just bring them into form. Then I record the rough version wherever I am - sometimes in a studio on the road, my home setup, or with musician friends in Berlin. Every song is a little journey.
Q. In your mission to inspire social change and inner healing, you’ve organized events that bring together music, art, and sustainability. What is one key takeaway you hope people experience at Freedom Festival Worldwide?
A. Connection. That’s the heartbeat of Freedom Festival Worldwide. I want people to feel seen, feel inspired, maybe even have new thoughts arise, like little awakenings. It’s a break from the usual grind and a space for cultural exchange, empowerment, healing, unity and joy. A place where people feel free to be exactly who they are.
Q. The concept of “healing through music” seems central to your work, both in your performances and your festival. Can you walk us through what a transformative or healing moment might look like for someone attending one of your events?
A. Imagine stepping into a crowd of people all seeking something deeper - for themselves and for the world. Suddenly you’re having real conversations, making eye contact, feeling uplifted. At my shows, you might sip Holy Water, dance on a boat, hear stories of love, freedom, and transformation. At the festival, you might join a ritual, a healing workshop, a soulful concert, or an Ecstatic Dance. I create holistic experiences.
Q. You’ve had the opportunity to perform in places as diverse as Berlin, Mexico, Egypt, and Angola. How do these different cultures influence not only your music but your understanding of global unity and connection? (took out New York)
A. Traveling opens the heart and rewires the mind. I want to see the world with my own eyes – rather than being depended on storytelling and media. I love meeting locals, learning how they think, live, and celebrate life. It deepens my understanding of this planet and myself. For example, in Bali last year, I met a local yogi who took me under his wing - teaching me ancient knowledge, guiding me through sacred temples. These are things you won’t find online. That kind of connection - the real, human, sacred kind - is what fuels my music. We’re all family. One global tribe.
Q. Having won the German Songwriting Award for your track "Freedom," you've garnered recognition for your ability to deeply connect with listeners. Since music has been proven to have healing powers, do you think governments should recognize this and allocate more resources and support to artists like you, who are bringing such beauty and healing to the world?
A. Yes and thank you for that thoughtful question. Healing and community still live in a niche, but I believe they’re the way forward. As automation and AI expand, people will crave connection, meaning, and remembrance of who we are beyond productivity. Living mindfully - what we eat, speak, think, feel - creates our reality. Unfortunately, self-empowerment can be threatening to certain systems. I’ve often been misunderstood. My song Freedom was politicized in the beginning, even though I was speaking about inner freedom as a human. It brought real challenges. What I ask is simple: let artists speak. Truly listen, don’t assume. Give peace a platform. It isn’t rebellion - it’s the development we need: back to love, back to one.
Q. You’ve been quoted saying that our generation is searching for meaning and authenticity in a fast-paced world. How do you believe music can fulfill that search, and what role do you see yourself playing in guiding people toward finding that deeper sense of purpose through your art?
A. Music is the language of authenticity. In a world that’s speeding up, it invites us to slow down and feel. Artists and musicians have the responsibility to create spaces where connection and healing can happen. That’s what I do - on stage and through the Freedom Festival Worldwide. It’s not about me; it’s about the audience. I’m just the vessel. My job is to serve, to deliver songs that awaken and inspire. Music is the answer. It always has been.
Q. How did the different locations (Alps, Angola, Berlin) influence the sound of the track “Holy Water”?
A. The lyrics were born in the Alps by the mountain water stream. The Afrobeat influence came from my time in Angola. Then Berlin added its flavor—its soul, its edge, its electronic pulse. Holy Water is a blend of all these energies, a sound journey across continents.
Q. What does the concept of a "musical cleansing ritual" mean to you and how did you incorporate it into the song?
A. For me, music is medicine. The mantra-like repetition in Holy Water was inspired by spiritual chants - tools for clearing the mind, attracting clarity, raising energy. This song is like a daily soul shower. You know how we wash the outside? Holy Water is a ritual for the inside. Cleansing. Releasing. And most importantly - it’s fun.
Q. Can you describe the moment when you were inspired to write "Holy Water"?
A. I was hiking through the Alps, I gave thanks to the beautiful environment around me. In that moment of openness, by the water stream, I heard the entire song - melody, lyrics, everything and began to sing „Holy Water“. I also recorded the river stream on my phone, it´s the water you hear in the intro of the song. That moment felt magical.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. Honestly? Traveling. Meeting spiritual teachers. Immersing myself in yoga, healing, and mindfulness. Learning to break free from my own limitations and make peace of mind the ultimate goal. That’s been the deepest influence - not just on my music, but on my life.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. I want people to remember how this song made them feel. If they’re humming it later or if my voice touched something inside - then I’ve done my job. They might be curious. Or they might think: This Marie Chain... who is she to tell me anything.. ;-)
Q. We can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. Yes! There will be real Holy Water to drink. I´m releasing the Holy Water bottle! You’ll find it in my merch shop on Bandcamp because obviously, we should be able to drink Holy Water too. Then comes the Holy Water Boat Party on August 1st in Berlin - a record release celebration on the water. Then the Holy Water music video featuring dancers from Angola. After that, the Afrohouse remix drops, and more singles will follow. I’m working toward a full album next year - a global record with transformative songs from all corners of the world. This is just the beginning.
Marie Chain, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Marie Chain’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
