Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Strand.
Hi Mary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I practiced law at a large Minneapolis firm for many years, then decided I’d be happier writing novels. (I’ve published nine so far.) In 2010, one of those novels, Livin’ La Vida Bennet, featured a teen girl who had to learn how to play guitar in a hurry. I’d never played. So I took guitar lessons! I did that for 2 or 3 years but realized I wasn’t putting in the needed time or energy, so I quit. Then in 2016, a friend talked me into joining a “pay-to-play” band at Twin Town Guitars. I restarted lessons, played in those bands for several years, started singing in addition to playing guitar, and in 2018 started writing songs. In 2020 I joined the singer/songwriter songwriting challenge group on Facebook, which is mostly Minnesotans, and that’s when I began songwriting in earnest. I also was part of a cover/original band, Dodging Potholes, which gave me more stage experience. Finally, in 2022, I started recording what became my first album, Golden Girl, which released in 2023. My amazing album band stuck together to play gigs, so in 2024 we called ourselves Mary Strand & The Garage. Our second album released this past August, and another is planned for 2026.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To be honest, it’s been an amazingly smooth road. A huge help to me is that my two guitar teachers, Ryan Smith (of Soul Asylum, Ultrabomb, and The Melismatics) and Mark Wade (of The Melismatics and The Mood Swings) have been there every step of the way. Ryan plays lead guitar in my band, and Mark plays bass guitar. Their advice and encouragement has made all the difference. I think the key has been to reach for the stars but to work consistently to take all the little steps to reach those stars.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a novelist, songwriter, and musician. As a novelist, I write adult, young adult, and children’s books. My “voice” as an author is the same in all three types of novels I write, which sometimes surprises me, but readers often read because of an author’s voice. I’m also known for the action in my stories, because action and adventures are a big part of my life.
As a songwriter and musician, I write and play garage rock (thus, Mary Strand & The Garage), punk rock, power pop, and indie rock. I’ve now written over 130 songs and released two albums and an acoustic EP, with a third album (Christmas rock) on the way for 2026.
I think I’m most proud of the fact that I consistently put in the effort to finish things, and finish them well: books, songs, and albums. Some friends in the book and music industries consider themselves to be engaged in a hobby, but I’m all in: this is my work, period.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up playing sports as much as humanly possible. If my knees hadn’t gone AWOL on me in the last 10 years, I would still be doing that. I was also a huge reader. I craved adventures, and still do. I did well in school but didn’t want anyone to know that. (Except my teachers.) I’m an extrovert, but I’ve always tended to keep my thoughts to myself, except with very close friends. As a kid, I had the obligatory four years of piano lessons, but I quit the instant my mom allowed me to, when I hit high school and was playing two varsity sports. Music is huge to me now, but sports have always been my biggest love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marystrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marystrandmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marystrandmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mary_strand
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mary_strand_music
- Other: https://linktr.ee/marystrand
