Meet the Musician Behind Memphis’s “Psychedelic Swamp Soul” Sound
Meet Marcella Simien, the creative force behind the "Psychedelic Swamp Soul" sound. She shares how Memphis shaped her music, the beauty of silence, and her deepest hopes for our city's creative community. Image: Audrey Rosenfeld
Louisiana gave Musician Marcella Simien her roots. Memphis helped shape her voice. Blending her Creole heritage with the city’s rich musical legacy, she has created a sound all her own, one she calls “Psychedelic Swamp Soul.” We caught up with Marcella to talk about the people and places that have influenced her journey, her passion for building community through music, and what comes next.
How has Memphis helped shape your journey in music?
I feel like I’ve grown up here. I grew up in Louisiana for the first 18 years of my life, and it’s crazy I’m coming up on year 18 [in Memphis]. It’s very poignant to think about what an impact both places have had on me. They both marry each other very well. I don’t see them as competing energies.
There’s a soulfulness in Louisiana that is magical, but there’s also an extremely unique soulfulness here that you cannot escape. It deeply influenced my music and my journey as an artist, and the collaborators and the people whom I’ve been able to meet and work with here are just unparalleled.
Where do you find inspiration?
I really love the monastery that Spiritual Leader Thich Nhat Hanh built in Batesville, MS, called Magnolia Grove. Usually on Sundays, you do a morning walking meditation. It’s a totally silent walk you do with a group of people and the monastic sisters and brothers, and there’s a Sangha, where there’s a talk around mindfulness.
There’s a sharing Sangha circle, and then a traditional Buddhist lunch where you don’t speak. When you work so much with sound (it is such an important, vital part of my life), the absence of sound is incredible and so magical. There’s so much to discover in the silence.
What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
I feel like I’m very open and reveal a lot of myself all the time. It’s kind of like my ethos, and the whole reason I do the work is to be authentic, exemplify that, and remind people to be uninhibited.
But I love board games, playing cards, bowling… things that younger folks generally enjoy. I light up like a kid. Being an only child and surrounded by adults from a young age, I was nudged to grow up quickly. So when I get to be a kid, it sparks a great deal of joy for me.
What are your favorite spots around Memphis?
I’ve been attending Memphis Culture Coalition meetings. Those have been an incredible resource for me and other creative leaders and thinkers in our city who are doing important social impact work. That, in combination with many things that have unfolded in my life over the last few years, has pushed me toward creating more opportunities for connection and community building.
I love our museum tours, and our parks, too — like Shelby Farms, Tom Lee Park, and Overton Park. I love Overton Park so much. It’s got such a special place in my heart.
And I love the Cooper-Young Farmers’ Market. I go there almost every Saturday. I just love that you get to support local art, farmers, makers, and creatives, all in one place.
What do you hope the next chapter looks like for you?
There’s just so much potential for growth in our music economy here, and I’m very hopeful for the future. I want to see change happen. I know a lot of leaders who are trying to effect change and do some good work towards moving our music economy forward.
But music, specifically, has had such an impact on tourism and the economy here. We’re not valued the same way, or in ways I think we should be, by the greater whole. Music and music-makers have such a huge impact on our quality of life, and I’d like to see our area of focus be uplifted in new, supportive ways. I care deeply about our city, and I want to do my part to care for our people.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I’ve had a lot of great mentors who have helped me throughout dark times in my life. My first one was my father. I’m lucky that he was an incredible resource for me on how I can move in the world with grace, peace, and joy in my actions.
His big thing was patience, and I think that’s important for young creatives and professionals, in general. I think [it’s important to embrace] patience, stillness, and being open to the uncertainty of life — to let that be exciting rather than anxiety-inducing.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite album you’ve listened to recently? Mac DeMarco’s Salad Days. It’s a great summer album — the sounds, the tones. I love his lyricism, and I just really dig him as an artist. And Mind Games (Meditation Mixes) by John Lennon. John’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, reimagined the song “Mind Games” and transformed it into this continuous, meditative tour de force. It’s been a beneficial resource for me this season.
What’s something you’re looking forward to this summer? I’ve been working as a Teaching Artist at the Orpheum, and next month I’ll be participating in the Mending Hearts Camp.
I did Camp Collaborate and an Arts Explore, and I’m looking forward to being part of that team and serving the community in that way, because what they’re doing is really beautiful. I just love any time I can be a sense of grounding support for someone else, especially kids. It’s really rewarding work.
Must-try Memphis restaurants? The Four Way, for really good food. And I love Groovy Gratitude for juice and Juiced What You Needed, too. I love Good Fortune Co. and Petals of a Peony. We’re lucky we have so much great stuff in Memphis. I know I’m leaving out many, but not intentionally! I really dig Hard Times Deli, too.
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Ariel Taranski
Ariel's been writing professionally for over a decade, with a passion for travel, pets, good food, and a great book. She's lived in Memphis for over half of her life, a transplant from Florida and Southern through-and-through.