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Mary Lambert (singer)

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Mary Lambert
Lambert in 2018
Born
Mary Danielle Lambert

(1989-05-03) May 3, 1989 (age 35)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • spoken word artist
  • LGBTQ activist
  • poet
  • actress
Years active2011–present
Spouse
Wyatt Paige Hermansen
(m. 2022; sep. 2024)
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
  • cello
Labels
Websitemarylambertsings.com

Mary Danielle Lambert (born May 3, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter and spoken word artist. She worked with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on a track on their album The Heist. Lambert is the featured artist of their LGBTQ rights single,[4] "Same Love". Her contributions to "Same Love" draw upon her experiences as "a lesbian growing up in a tumultuous, Christian upbringing."[5] Lambert took the content she created for "Same Love" and used it to develop the song "She Keeps Me Warm" which she released on July 30, 2013. A music video was released on Vevo on August 24.

Lambert's music has been compared to the music of Adele, Tori Amos, and James Blake.[6][7] Her shows are described as "safe spaces where crying is acceptable and even encouraged."[5] Her debut EP, Letters Don't Talk, was released on July 17, 2012, and peaked at number 18 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts.[8] On December 17, 2013, Lambert released her second EP, Welcome to the Age of My Body, under Capitol Records.[9] Lambert's studio album Heart on My Sleeve was released on October 14, 2014, and debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200.

Lambert performed at the 2016 Gay Christian Network Conference in Houston, Texas,[10] an annual conference that draws over 1300 LGBT people from around the world, on January 8, 2016.

Early life

[edit]

Originally from Everett, Washington, Lambert attended Mariner High School between 2003 and 2007. Her mother is also a recording artist.[11]

She was raised as a Pentecostal Christian, but her family was expelled from the church when she was six years old because her mother had come out as a lesbian. Later Lambert became an evangelical Christian, attending Mars Hill Church beginning when she was in high school. She struggled for many years to reconcile her Christianity and her sexuality, even after coming out as a lesbian at the age of 17.[12] She has concluded after some time that being gay does not conflict with Christianity and that condemnation of gay people is antithetical to the Christian message.[13][14]

Lambert was sexually abused by her father and others as a child, and she has described herself as "ending up being a depressed eight-year-old". She taught herself how to play piano and write songs at age 6 as an escape from her traumatic and abusive household.[5] Her poetry and music often discuss her early childhood traumas, sexual abuse, body image, bipolar disorder, and her sexuality.[12][15][16] Lambert married her partner of four years, Wyatt Paige Hermansen, on October 22, 2022.[17] On January 26, 2024, Lambert announced via social media her separation from Hermansen. She lives in Seattle.[5]

Lambert moved to Seattle in 2007 studying at Cornish College of the Arts and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in composition.[18]

Career

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2008–11: Career beginnings and spoken word poetry

[edit]

In 2008, Lambert represented Seattle, Washington in Brave New Voices International Poetry Competition, which was filmed on HBO. She co-founded Seattle's Collegiate team in 2009 and competed at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational.[19]

2012–13: Breakthrough with "Same Love" and 500 Tips for Fat Girls

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In 2012, Lambert co-wrote and provided vocals for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's single "Same Love". Subsequently, in 2013, "Same Love" was awarded double Platinum certification in the US by RIAA.[20] The track earned continued success when it became a top ten single in six countries. A music video was released on October 2, 2012, and as of August 2018, it had over 200 million views on YouTube.[21]

In January 2013, Lambert independently released a book of poetry titled 500 Tips for Fat Girls.[22] The book has received positive reviews, with one critic stating that it was "moving and strikingly original exploration".[23] In the summer of 2013, Lambert released her solo debut single, "She Keeps Me Warm", which samples the chorus that she wrote for "Same Love". A music video was released on August 24 of that same year on Lambert's Vevo.[24] As of December 2013, the "She Keeps Me Warm" music video had reached over two million views.

On December 17, 2013, Lambert released her debut major label extended play Welcome to the Age of My Body under Capitol Records. The EP features a new version of "She Keeps Me Warm" entitled "Body Love", which was broken into two parts. The track was also featured on her last EP, Letters Don't Talk, along with a new song entitled "Sarasvati".

On December 18, 2013, Lambert announced on her website that her debut album had been scheduled for release in early 2014.[25]

2014–2019: Heart On My Sleeve and Grief Creature

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For the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Lambert was nominated for two awards, one for Song of the Year for "Same Love" and the other for Album of the Year for The Heist as a featured artist.[26] On January 26, 2014, she performed "Same Love" alongside Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. During their performance Queen Latifah read marriage vows from 33 couples on stage.[27] Then Madonna came on stage and began singing with Lambert.[28] After the performances, Lambert's debut single "She Keeps Me Warm" started gaining more airplay and selling more copies.[29] Radio play of "She Keeps Me Warm" increased by 24% in 2014.[29]

On February 9, 2014, Lambert announced on her official website that she was filming a video for "Body Love".[30] On March 17, 2014, she announced on her website that she would be touring with Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson.[31] Eric Rosse is producing Lambert's debut album.[32][non-primary source needed]

A music video for Lambert's "Body Love" Part 1 and 2 was released on April 22, 2014.[33] As of May 8, the video has received over 220 thousand views on VEVO.

In 2014, Lambert was included as part of The Advocate's annual "40 under 40" list.[34] In December 2014, she took part in a United Nations panel promoting diversity in families.[35]

In October 2014, Lambert's debut album Heart on My Sleeve was released and included the hit "Secrets" which peaked at number one on the U.S. Dance chart.[36]

She is working on her new album.[37][non-primary source needed] In July 2016, she released a single titled "Hang Out With You" and a music video for the song.[38] She is a featured artist on the single "Hands", a tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.[39]

In 2016, she performed as a guest vocalist on Superfruit's cover of Katy Perry's "Rise".[40]

In 2018, she published her second collection of poetry, Shame Is an Ocean I Swim Across.

In December 2019, she and her partner started a podcast, The Manic Episodes.[41]

2021–present: Arlo the Alligator Boy and I Heart Arlo

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In April 2021, Lambert made her acting debut in the animated musical film Arlo the Alligator Boy as a tall and lonely human girl named Bertie.[42] She reprises the role in its follow-up series I ♥ Arlo.[42]

Artistry

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Musical style

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Elisabeth Siegel of Harker Aquila describes Lambert's voice as "heartwrenching soprano vocals".[43] She wrote every song on her first two EPs, Letters Don't Talk and Welcome To the Age of My Body.[44] Her songwriting style has often been compared to Adele, Tori Amos, Bon Iver, and James Blake.[6][7] Lambert stated in a Huffington Post interview that her music and poetry contain "A lot of darkness, and sadness and grief",[45] primarily about her early childhood traumas, sexual abuse, body image, bipolar disorder, and her sexuality. The "Same Love" chorus refers to Lambert's experiences as a lesbian growing up in a tumultuous, Christian upbringing. The line, "Not crying on Sundays," which repeats, echoes the way she felt after leaving Sunday services in the evangelical church.[5] She wrote the chorus's hook in two hours. "Body Love" and "Sarasvati" both feature her using a talk-rhythm singing style.[46]

Lambert was asked why she wrote the chorus for "Same Love". She said that she wanted to write a song that was "genuine and authentic to my experience."[47]

Discography

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Studio albums

[edit]
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[48]
AUS
[49]
Heart on My Sleeve
  • Released: October 14, 2014
  • Label: Capitol Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
29 61
Grief Creature
  • Released: November 15, 2019[50]
  • Label: Capitol Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, Vinyl

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat

[51]
US
Folk

[52]
Letters Don't Talk
  • Released: July 17, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
34
Welcome to the Age of My Body
  • Released: December 17, 2013
  • Label: Capitol Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download
20 23
Bold[53]
  • Released: May 5, 2017
  • Label: Tender Heart, ML Sings
  • Formats: Digital download

Singles

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As lead artist

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Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[54]
US
Adult

[55]
US
Dance

[56]
AUS
[49]
NZ
[57]
2013 "She Keeps Me Warm" 20 Welcome to the Age of My Body
2014 "Secrets" 66 12 1 39 40 Heart on My Sleeve
2016 "Hang out with You"[58] Bold
2019 "Born Sad" Grief Creature
2020 "Dear Jo"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart
[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[54]
AUS
[49]
AUT
[59]
CAN
[60]
FRA
[61]
IRE
[62]
NL
[63]
NZ
[57]
SWI
[64]
UK
[65]
"Same Love"
(Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert)
2012 11 1 19 4 19 6 18 1 33 6
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum[20]
  • ARIA: 5× Platinum[66]
  • BPI: Silver[67]
  • MC: Platinum[68]
  • RMNZ: 2× Platinum[69]
The Heist
"Hands"
(with various artists)
2016

Other appearances

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Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Follow Me Home" 2021 Michael J. Woodard Arlo the Alligator Boy: Music from the Netflix Film
"Beautiful Together"
"The Way" 2021 Michael J. Woodard I Heart Arlo: Music from the Netflix Series
"Even in a Garden"
"I Can Lift You Up" Michael J. Woodard
"Just Another Night in New York"
"Coming Together" Michael J. Woodard
Jonathan Van Ness
Haley Tju
Brett Gelman
Tony Hale
"As Long As We Got Each Other" Michael J. Woodard
"I Heart Arlo" Cast

Tours

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  • Heart on My Sleeve Tour (2014)
  • Everybody is a Babe Tour with Mal Blum (2017)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mary Lambert". Facebook.com.
  2. ^ "Holy balls! "Hang Out With You" is here!!!". Marylambertsings.com. July 8, 2016.
  3. ^ "HOME". Tenderheartrecords.com.
  4. ^ Macklemore (July 18, 2012). "Blog post – Same Love". macklemore.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e Bennett-Smith, Meredith (May 18, 2013). "Mary Lambert, Singer Featured On Macklemore's 'Same Love,' Talks Songwriting, Lesbians, Vulnerability". HuffPost. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  6. ^ a b Lovseth, Josh (August 21, 2012). "On Repeat: Mary Lambert – 'Forget Me'". Soundonthesound.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  7. ^ a b feckingdeadly (April 3, 2013). "Mary Lambert | Letters Don't Talk | @MaryLambertSing – Deadly Music!". Feckingdeadly.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  8. ^ "Mary Lambert – Letters Don't Talk". Marylambert.bandcamp.com. July 17, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  9. ^ Caramanica, Jon (November 12, 2013). "Mary Lambert Breaks Out on Her Own". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "2016 Gay Christian Network Conference, Houston, TX". GCN Conference. Archived from the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  11. ^ Elkharadly, Nadia (March 2, 2013). "Love Talk with Mary Lambert". weraddicted.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Hollenbeck, Annie (May 9, 2013). "Lesbian Macklemore Collaborator on 'Same Love' is Poised for the Big Time". SheWired.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  13. ^ Brodeur, Nicole (January 13, 2013). "Mary Lambert: 'Same Love' singer strikes out on her own". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  14. ^ Lambert, Mary (December 29, 2012). "gay christians are totally okay dog". marylambertsings.com. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  15. ^ Lambert, Mary (April 9, 2012). "Body Love – music video". Live version of "Body Love". Retrieved October 27, 2012 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Prosser, Keegan (August 21, 2012). "Mary Lambert: New Verse, Same Love". Seattleweekly.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  17. ^ "Mary Lambert is Married! 'Same Love' Singer and Wyatt Paige Hermansen Say 'I Do' in Rustic Ceremony".
  18. ^ "Artist Bio – Mary Lambert". marylambertsings.com. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  19. ^ "College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational". Acui.org. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Macklemore And Ryan Lewis Join The RIAA Diamond Club". Forbes.com. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  21. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Same Love feat. Mary Lambert (Official Video)". October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2017 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ Vanessa (March 6, 2013). "Almost Famous: Mary Lambert". Autostraddle. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  23. ^ Lambert, Mary. "500 tips for fat girls by Mary Lambert – Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists". Goodreads.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  24. ^ "Mary Lambert – She Keeps Me Warm (2013 Version)". August 24, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Welcome to the Age of My Body Is Heeeeeeeeere". Marylambertsings.com. December 18, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  26. ^ "Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List". Billboard. December 6, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  27. ^ Avery, Dan (January 26, 2014). "Macklemore, Madonna, Queen Latifah Host Gay Weddings". newnownext.com. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  28. ^ McRady, Rachel (January 26, 2014). "Madonna Performs 'Same Love' With Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert – Us Weekly". Usmagazine.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  29. ^ a b "Mary Lambert's 'She Keeps Me Warm' Rises at Radio After Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Success". Billboard. January 27, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  30. ^ "London! And the Grammys! Not Grandmas!". marylambertsings.com. February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  31. ^ "Tour Announcement – Mary Lambert". marylambertsings.com. March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  32. ^ "Facebook – Mary Lambert – March 21, 2014". facebook.com. March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  33. ^ "Mary Lambert – Body Love (Part 1 & 2)". YouTube MaryLambertVEVO channel. April 22, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  34. ^ "Mary Lambert's 'Oversharing' Is Helping Us Heal". Advocate.com. July 29, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  35. ^ "United Nations Celebrates Family Diversity". Human Rights Watch. December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  36. ^ "Hot Dance Club Songs". Billboard. November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  37. ^ "Mary Lambert on Twitter – August 30, 2015". Twitter.
  38. ^ "Hanging Out With Mary Lambert, the Beyoncé for the Disenfranchised". Yahoo Music. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  39. ^ "GLAAD and music superstars release single "Hands" to benefit victims and families of Orlando massacre". GLAAD. July 6, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  40. ^ "Brian Justin Crum, Mary Lambert, and Mario Jose Join Superfruit for Inspiring 'Rise' Cover". Out, September 7, 2016.
  41. ^ "The Manic Episodes". Spotify. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  42. ^ a b Sledge, Philip (April 16, 2021). "Arlo The Alligator Boy Cast: Where You've Heard Or Seen The Actors Before". Cinema Blend. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  43. ^ "Heart on My Sleeve is stark and startling debut album". October 23, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  44. ^ "Artist Bio". Marylambertsings.com. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  45. ^ Gerstein, Julie (August 26, 2013). "5 Things To Know About Mary Lambert, The Female Vocalist On Macklemore's "Same Love" Song". Thefrisky.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  46. ^ Guitars, Joe Bosso 2014-01-06T17:01:00 5Z (January 6, 2014). "Mary Lambert talks songwriting, Macklemore and her major-label debut EP". MusicRadar. Retrieved October 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ "Mary Lambert: Why I Wrote 'Same Love'". etonline.com. January 27, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  48. ^ "Mary Lambert - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  49. ^ a b c Hung, Steffen. "Discography Mary Lambert". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  50. ^ Grief Creature por Mary Lambert (in Brazilian Portuguese), retrieved November 2, 2019
  51. ^ "Mary Lambert - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  52. ^ "Mary Lambert - Americana/Folk Albums". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  53. ^ "Bold by Mary Lambert". Apple Music (US). May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  54. ^ a b "Mary Lambert - Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  55. ^ "Mary Lambert - Adult Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  56. ^ "Mary Lambert - Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  57. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "Discography Mary Lambert". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  58. ^ "Hang out With You – Single by Mary Lambert". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  59. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Mary Lambert". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  60. ^ "Macklemore – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard.
  61. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Mary Lambert". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  62. ^ Peak positions for the featured singles in Ireland:
  63. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discografie Mary Lambert". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  64. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Discographie Mary Lambert". Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  65. ^ Peak positions for the featured singles in the UK:
  66. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #443". auspOp. October 21, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  67. ^ "Certified Awards – MACKLEMORE/LEWIS/LAMBERT – Same Love". Manual search required. British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  68. ^ "Gold and Platinum Search (Same Love)". Music Canada. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  69. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 29 April 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
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