Rising music artist Mary Hatley showcases a bold new chapter with her debut album, The Poision I Choose. In this collection of tracks, the songstress turns vulnerability into strength, while stopping the listener in their tracks. From the first strum of guitar to the final haunting lyric, it’s clear this is an album forged from lived experience; its scars, its joys, and its hard-earned wisdom. Produced by Matt Qualls, the record is both intimate and expansive, reflecting the sonic diversity of Memphis while staying firmly rooted in Hatley’s singular perspective. The album thrives on contrasts. Be My Lover is smoky and vulnerable, unraveling the intoxicating risk of desire, while Didn’t See A Ring snaps with playful spite and cutting wit. Dog Days honors resilience in the face of grief, while Ricochet bursts with the defiant energy of survival and self-liberation. Each track captures a different shade of the human experience, yet together they form a cohesive, resonant whole. Hatley’s lyricism is matched only by her vocal delivery. She sings with a kind of unguarded truth that invites listeners into her confidence—equal parts grit and grace. On songs like Miss You Dear, the ache in her voice is palpable; on Cross You Twice, it’s her conviction that lingers. This range ensures that no matter the subject, Hatley commands attention. What emerges in The Poison I Choose is more than a collection of songs—it’s a portrait of an artist at the start of something extraordinary. Bold, heartfelt, and steeped in authenticity, Hatley’s debut proves that the best music doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel like you’ve lived it. We spoke with Mary Hatley about the release and more below.
The Poison I Choose is your debut full-length—what does releasing this record mean to you personally?
Releasing this record has been a huge milestone. This album is a musical diary entry that bares all. It follows me on my journey of confronting trauma and grief and turning it into a story of resilience and celebration.
Memphis has such a rich musical history. How did the city shape the sound and spirit of the album?
I grew up in Memphis and was raised on artists like Elvis, Al Green, and Johnny Cash. The influence of Rock, Blues, and Country music shaped my sound and my character. The blunt yet melodic lyricism of these great artists taught me how to tell a story and share emotions. They showed me that I don’t have to fit a certain mold. Life is not black and white and that allowed me to create the perfect blend of genres that felt true to me.
You’ve described As Long As You’re Mine as a breakthrough in letting love in—was that the first song you wrote for the album, or did it come later in the process?
It came on later on in the process. The first song that I wrote on this album was Ricochet, the rest were written over the next few years. I went through a period of being guarded to then being vulnerable, to going straight back to being guarded, and this album follows that journey.
Cross You Twice and Wine, Flowers, & Blood both deal with religious trauma. How do you approach writing about such personal and heavy themes?
I like to write from the heart no matter how uncomfortable it is. I can hide behind the broader themes I write about while including personal stories and feelings. I find strength in being vulnerable. I was told to be quiet and that I was wrong about my own experiences when I finally spoke up for myself, that made me even more blunt and honest than I already was. That was a “game on” moment, no one is going to shame me for what I feel and what I experienced.
Which song on the album feels the most vulnerable to perform live, and why?
Dog Days is the most vulnerable song to perform. It is a very personal and meaningful song to me. The title is based off of the Florence + The Machine song, “Dog Days Are Over.” I had a babysitter who played the song whenever she watched us and it has always been a strong memory of mine. My childhood wasn’t perfect and that song really got me through some dark times from a young age. I tied that into my adulthood and the feelings from my childhood that were triggered around the time that I wrote it.
Dog Days is a moving tribute to resilience through grief. Who or what inspired you while writing it?
I wrote this song after a lot of loss in my life. I lost the idyllic family I thought I had, all while experiencing friends who lost their lives during that dark period. That time made me realize we were all struggling and made me acknowledge that I can be there for other people while also struggling. I finally wrote Dog Days when it was time to process it all and move forward.
Your lyrics balance intimate storytelling with broader cultural commentary. Do you set out to do that intentionally, or does it happen naturally?
I can’t say that it is either, I like to incorporate as many themes and feelings as I can. I never want to make a song so specific that people can’t relate. My music is a safe space for everyone and I always aim to offer some sort of asylum to my audience.
How did working with producer Matt Qualls at Easley McCain influence the overall sound of the record?
Matt Qualls really allowed the album to be truly authentic. He took what he heard and ran with it, this album was truly a team effort. He would tell me what he heard and we would always agree on where the song was supposed to go and sound. His mixing was something that he really contributed himself. Matt grew up on the loudness wars and he put that into the mixes of my songs.
What Are You Gonna Do feels like a love letter to Memphis nightlife—why was it important to include that track on the album?
I wanted to bring the album back to Memphis. Memphis has been my home since I was about eight years old so this city has really shaped me. I wanted to use a happy memory of Memphis so I wrote What Are You Gonna Do.
Were there any songs that almost didn’t make the final cut, but you’re glad they did?
The album started with me sending all of the demos I had written and recorded on my phone. Once we picked these twelve songs, that was it, the album was decided.
You’ve mentioned being self-taught on guitar—how does that shape your songwriting process?
It allowed me to focus on how the words are heard. I didn’t focus on the instrumentation but I focused on the flow of my lyrics and the stories they told. I don’t necessarily see myself as a guitarist but I use the guitar to convey how the song is supposed to feel.
The title track, The Poison I Choose, is hauntingly personal. How did you know it was the right song to define the album?
The album includes my struggles with addictions, toxic relationships, and the battle between the past and present. The Poison I Choose just as a title illustrates the image I was trying to move on from, the ongoing return to what hurt me the most.
If you had to describe the album in three words, what would they be?
Authentic, resilient, and triumphant.
Which artists—past or present—do you feel most connected to as inspirations for this project?
I took a lot of inspiration from Fleetwood Mac, Tracy Chapman, Chris Stapleton, and Amy Winehouse. They all raised me with their honest lyricism and their soulful sound.
Looking ahead, how do you see The Poison I Choose shaping your path as an artist?
The Poison I Choose is the first step in my journey, putting the past in the past. This album describes my upbringing and early adulthood while allowing me to become a new person who is confident in their art. I am excited to see what the future brings and truly proud of what I have already accomplished.
