Meet Maribyrd
Mary Hubley, known as Maribyrd, is a singer/songwriter, born and raised in Northern NJ. Her voice has been compared to singers Sarah MacLaughlin, Joni Mitchell,
and Eva Cassidy.
Singer, songwriter and supporter of music
Maribyrd, nicknamed as such by an old roommate years ago, mostly plays guitar and sings. These days she jokingly refers to herself as a songwriter with a part time job as a jukebox. She’s also been known to play mandolin and a little bit of bass in some of her bands.
Yes, some of her bands, as Maribyrd plays with several. The Tollcollectors, for example, have a passion and a focus on harmonies. Each of the band members sing as well as write, and her favorite part of the experience is working out harmonies during rehearsals.
Maribyrd and the Dream Band is also composed of singers and songwriters with shining harmonies. “Some of the most amazing players I’ve ever worked with are playing in that band,” Maribyrd said.
She also plays with family members in a band called Eleven-Ten.
One of her strongest passions is promoting women in music because, as she says, “it tends to be a guys game.”
Basic beginnings
Maribyrd’s passion for music began in high school when she started playing guitar in youth group. Not unlike many popular musicians, she had been playing in hopes of attracting a member of the opposite sex. As is also common, the boy didn’t stick, but the music did.
For a long time she considered playing just a hobby, but she would perform at open mics and an occasional gig. Then about five years ago, she decided to jump right in and make music a full-time priority.
Influences for Maribyrd’s music include Joni Mitchell and her original songs have been influenced by acoustic Led Zeppelin and Edie Brickell to name a few. She is inspired by her high school favorites: John Denver. Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead and of course The Beatles. The first songs she remembers playing were religious songs at youth group. The first cover song she learned was “He Said” by Edie Brickell, followed by “What’s Up,” by 4 Non Blondes.
More than a lifestyle
She admittedly loves everything about the musician lifestyle: the ability to travel on her own terms and spend time on the road meeting new people, visiting new places and seeing new things. Maribyrd has made friends everywhere she’s gone and can be found couch surfing in cities across the country. In 2016, she completed her first cross country tour, successfully singing her way out to Seattle and back.
“I feel like I have little pockets of family all over, like a little community in the Adirondacks and another in the Asheville area.”
She also loves playing with her bandmates and the connections they make during a performance… not just with each other, but with the audience as well. Those moments, however small, make all the grunt work of carrying and setting up equipment (then breaking it down and lugging it back), and the hours spent on the computer or changing guitar strings worthwhile. The moments when someone stops by to tell her a particular song she played made their day, are as good as gold.
“I have no delusions that I’ll be rich and famous at any point doing what I do, but I’d rather be happy and have less,” Maribyrd said. “You can always figure out how to get money, but you can never get your time back.”
More to Maribyrd
Maribyrd's debut album, "Joe's Basement" was recorded in 2002, and includes other talented North Jersey musicians. It was followed by "The Cabin Sessions" in 2015, and the debut album from her band, Byrdgrass, in 2016. The Toll Collectors released their debut EP, "Raindrops and Watercolors" in 2020. Mari has also added harmonies to many local artists' records, and a new album of her own is in the works.
““Chock-full of acoustic darlings, ‘The Cabin Sessions’ maintains a harmonious ambiance throughout. From the country, electric vibe of “North Country Snow” to the moody strokes of “Closure,” the album shows Hubley’s ability to push the envelope of acoustic music.””
An artist to the core, when she isn’t playing music, Maribyrd trades her guitar for a paint brush or crochet hook. She enjoys woodgraining, marbleizing, stencils, antiquing, custom wood finishes, furniture refinishing, custom color matching, and gold and silver leaf finishes. Much of her made-to-order work can be purchased on her Etsy page, including upcycled “bag-bags” made from repurposed plastic bags. She also takes on commission painting, all of which can be purchased or asked about through her website.
Maribyrd performs every other Wednesday at Table 42 in Dover where she has been hosting an acoustic open mic for the past seven or more years. The location holds a bit of nostalgia for her as her first gig was here years ago when it was The Laughing Lion. She’s always looking to encourage female musicians, and hopes that they will find a safe and accepting place to play at her open mics.
Find where Maribyrd is playing next, or learn more about her bands or her artistic creations on her website: http://maribyrd.com/
Maribyrd will also be playing at the West Milford Farmers Market music tent from 3-6 on the following dates: June 8, July 27, August 24, September 7 & October 5