Meet Maree Montagnini | Singer Songerwriter Musician Band Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maree Montagnini and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maree, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Living life is a risk. If you define risk as the possibility of failure, pain, loss, then simply being alive is a risk. We are all going to end one day… that is the only certainty about living. So in the interim, it only makes sense to do as much with the time you are given, in a way that respects yourself and shows kindness to those around you. Ha! This is what I tell myself to get out of bed and “do” every day! In reality, I’m afraid of lots of things, of losing people and things that are precious to me. In all reality, doing new things terrifies me because I’m afraid to fail. I would like to plan everything perfecting and execute it in a way that is fail-proof. But… that’s not how life goes, is it?
It was a truly “step out of your comfort zone and grow the hell up” moment for me when, a year ago, I decided to pursue music professionally, start writing my own songs, and start a band to perform them. It was the first time in my life I determined to something I knew little about, was likely to face plant over, and was going to ‘risk’ time, money, and my own comfort level.
I did it because I love my music, I believe in it, and I want to share it. Because through it, I met the most fabulous people who are my band mates. Because I realized I’m a helluva songwriter and it’s therapy for me to speak my truth in a way that others can find theirs in.
Was the risk worth it? Has it paid off? I would say so. Getting seriously into music showed me I could do things I was afraid of, that I wasn’t prepared for. It opened a whole new world to me and brought so many great people and experiences into my life. And it opened the door for me to take music as seriously as I’d always dreamed I would.
So… seeing that we have but one life, and since everything in life is risky, I’m all about taking risks for the good things in life. Like music. Like people you love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a singer songwriter, rhythm guitar player, and band manager for Uncommon Crossroads. I write, sing, and play Americana style music, influenced heavily by the 1960s singer songwriter movement, by traditional gospel and bluegrass, by Irish music, by Green Day inspired punk rock music, and the early classic rock genre. I started singing and playing guitar when I was 15. I taught myself both because I had to find that space to be me, to relax, to find myself. I did both because I couldn’t do one well without the other. I held on to that ability all my adult life, through many moves across the country, living in new places frequently, having and raising 5 children. My guitar and singing was my place to be me. I never thought I could do this professionally. Then I had a baby during that first year of Covid, went through a terribly period of post partum depression, and realized I had to do something to save myself. That’s when I started writing my own songs, and that’s when it became a reality that I could do this, become a musician in a real way. It wasn’t easy because I’d never had a great experience with bands in the past, I had horrible stage fright and awful insecurities about my musical abilities. What I did have was a supportive husband and kids, some great friends, and a ton of passion and drive to make this happen. I also believed in my songs. I know good writing… I know great writing. My background was years in higher ed in literature and technical writing and editing. Plus years of listening to some of the best lyrically written music. I pull on all that to write songs and I know they are good, that they have a timeless, both vintage and familiar aspect to them that can draw a listener in. I draw on my own life and experiences in my songwriting, but I try to tell a story that’s not about me, that others can feel and relate to, tap into emotions and pain others feel, too. Because connection and finding yourself is what music is at its best.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh gosh! This is a tough question because in real life, I’m a stay at home mom, with 5 kids who I homeschool, between the ages of 13 and 2, and aside from my band performances, I never used to get out much! But that said, part of being a good band is booking gigs, and because of that, I can say lots about some great venues in Tucson that I’ve visited because of our performances.
If my proverbial friend was visiting Tucson, I would definitely bring them out for drinks and dinner at Jackrabbit Lounge over on Oracle and Grant. That place is unique and amazing as far as cocktails, food, and atmosphere. Plus, I’d probably be playing there.
We’d go downtown and visit Sky Bar, who have always been so good to use during our gigs with them. The bar staff are so cool, the vibe is really enjoyable, and the telescope outside makes it a special place to hang.
I’d take them for a drive to Tubac, which is such a neat old town. Plaza de Anza offers weekly live music and hosts a great assortment of resturants.
Tucson has a ton of great breweries that I’d love to show off, such as the Firetruck Brewing venues, Catalina Brewing, Borderlands, Crooked Tooth, and Harbottle, just to name a few.
Mt. Lemmon is a great place to drive to and feel like you’ve stepped into a different cosmos.
I love where I live in Marana because of the farm fields, open spaces, and water. I’d definitely show someone around my home zone.
I’d check where my friends’ bands were playing at and we’d go check out Chalako the Band, Pelican Museum, Baja Caravan, and so many others. That’s the best part of having music friends… there is literally always someone with a gig and always something to go do that involves live music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people I have to thank!! First of all, my husband, Josh Montagnini, who is so patient, kind, wise, and supportive in the best ways. We have five kids and I couldn’t do any of this if he and my kids didn’t pull together and support me. Torrie Fortune always has my thanks as the one who pushed me to actually write a song for the first time. PJ Bidwell of Pelican Museum and Charles Tubbs are two Tucson musicians who helped me out when I knew nothing and no one. They let me perform on their stages. PJ especially has mentored me so much as far as the administrative side of being a career musician. My band – Mike Burton, who plays harmonica for Uncommon Crossroads, was the inspiration behind me starting a band. I can never thank him enough for helping us with sound gear and a practice space. I call him the godfather of the band. Rob Whitly is our first drummer and Jim Miller (of Mudwerks band) is our first bass player… they are incredibly talented and gave me confidence because everything I wrote sounded so great when they played it. They were there for those first months of gigs, where we played everywhere, didn’t make much money, learned a lot of songs quickly, and figured out how to run sound. There’s Cameron Mannor, our lead guitar player, who is up to learn every new song as fast as I write them, and can literally do anything one could imagine on guitar. Michael Tarquin is the second drummer to join us, and he’s amazing because not only is he crazy talented, but he has the same drive and ambition I do to make a name for ourselves one day. Rick Nuno is our second bass player and he always brings such great energy, talent, and rhythm to every practice and show. Bryce J Rogers, Carla Perez, and Collin Gates sing with us often and make every song better with their great voices. Bryce deserves a special thanks because he’s helped us so much with promotional video content, pictures, and promotion.
Every single venue that has brought us in, particularly Jackrabbit Lounge, who has brought us back every month since we were a brand new band, Firetruck Brewing where we play frequently, and Jeff Rocx of Rockabilly Grill who has sponsored us many times. Banditos in Rocky Point Mexico, who made me feel like a badass to perform on Roger Clyne’s stage.
The photographers who’ve made us look great – Pascal Quintero; Phil Kelly; Bryce J Rogers; LoKo Photography
The producers who’ve worked with us – Duncan Stitt, Dan Tarquin, Mahn Doe Cue
My many singer songwriter friends who help me write and sing – Pops McCarthy over in England; Clinton Wyatt Smith of Wrought Iron Band in Tucson; Eric Cunningham of Baja Caravan in Tucson, Nico Barbaran, PJ Bidwell, and so many more.
All our fans, those wonderful people I’ve met who encourage and inspire me to keep doing this.
Thank you all very much!

Website: www.uncommoncrossroads.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncommoncrossroads/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mareetheband

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd1-fAI3YtbDlKxNfh6nvvA

Image Credits
Bryce J Rogers Phil Kelly Pascal Quintero Loko Photography