Scarlett Blu always had a niche for adventure. After sailing and diving in the world’s oceans, she was devastated by the plastic pollution that littered such beautiful bodies of water. Immediately, Blu felt a sense of responsibility, which is what prompted her to name her band, The Trash Mermaids. Through her music and with the support of her fans, Blu hopes to use The Trash Mermaids to spread the message of protecting the world’s oceans and preserving its biodiversity.
I sat down with Scarlett to learn more about The Trash Mermaids’ recent music video for their single “Stoked on Life” and their ongoing mission.
Ariel Zedric: Tell me about your band name, The Trash Mermaids! What inspired it?
Scarlett Blu: The Trash Mermaids’ name comes from my passion for protecting our oceans from plastic pollution.
Talk more about your devotion to protecting the ocean from plastic pollution! When did you first discover this passion?
I discovered this passion in my early twenties while diving and sailing and was really upset by the plastic pollution I saw everywhere. With the help of my fans and their communities, I hope to fulfill the bigger purpose of protecting the world’s oceans and preserving its biodiversity.
What was the inspiration behind “Stoked on Life”!
I wrote “Stoked On Life” while spending time in Hawaii, inspired by nature and feeling one with the Earth. Nature is my muse and writing a song for Earth Day is my way to give back to the environment. “Stoked On Life” is about being in love with life itself and giving thanks to the nature that gives you joy every day.
What was your favorite part about filming the music video?
Dancing with all these amazing dancers! It’s fun to get in a room and sweat with people and let your body be the music!
All the proceeds from the song go to Mission Blue! That’s amazing! How did you choose to partner with Mission Blue?
I had met Sylvia Earle, the founder of Mission Blue, and was really impressed by her commitment to save the oceans. Sylvia Earle has dedicated her life to this important cause and is one of my heroes.
If you weren’t an artist, would you be a full-time conservationist?
Yes, absolutely! Nature and the environment are faced with enormous challenges from loss of biodiversity, pollution and climate change and we all need to step up and take action to protect the earth.
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I have to ask, what’s your favorite marine animal?
I love dolphins. Dolphins are extremely playful and so much fun to be around! They are compassionate mammals known to help humans and even whales. This is why every time a dolphin is captured or killed anywhere in the world, it saddens me.
Explain the personal and professional struggles you’ve encountered in the music industry thus far. How have they molded you?
Having my own record label The Trash Mermaids and writing, producing my own songs is hard work. You have to work and create content 24/7 and you get rejected all the time by music festivals or playlist curators. It is nice to have mentors who encourage you but in the end, you have to do the work yourself. You have to create your own fan base. You have to own your success and career and make it happen. If you are sitting around waiting for somebody to discover you and help you, you are wasting your time. Nobody is going to discover you, you have to discover yourself.
What’s it like being a female in the music industry?
The overall music business is male-dominated. Most mixing and master engineers and music producers are men. My mentors so far in the music industry were all men. I was lucky to have great male mentors who opened doors for me, treated me with respect and inspired me. We need to create a woman sisterhood in music where strong women support each other by opening doors to other women.
Tell me about a moment in your career that has left you extremely proud.
Writing a song for Earth Day and donating all the song’s profits to ocean conservation
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists in the field? How has your success story panned out?
Enjoy the process of creating music and don’t worry about the outcome.
Any last thoughts?
My biggest joy as an artist is creating music with live musicians in the studio, and being on stage singing the songs that are in my heart.
Courtesy of Scarlett Blu
Follow The Trash Mermaids on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify.
Feature image courtesy of Scarlett Blu
