Cape songwriter to hold launch party for new single
Built from pain, ‘Crashing Down’ celebrates a milestone moment and the will to keep going
A songwriter who used her music ability to get through a hardship is throwing a single release party next week in Cape Coral for her latest song.
The party will be held at Kava Nirvana Speakeasy, 4720 SE 15th Ave., Suite 107 at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 31.
Maryann Connolly’s newest song “Crashing Down” was a hard one to write as it stems from injuries she suffered in a traffic crash.
Her music partner, Julio Vazquez, encouraged her to write the song, which was recorded with her producer Caleb Worst at his Wave Garage recording studio.
“It was in the past and really hard to talk about,” said Connolly, 25. “I had to go through doctors, hospitals. I was in pain a lot. My family and community really helped me and supported me.”
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The pain came from a hernia disk of the right lateral in her neck and L5.
“It was hard to sit and to look down and do schoolwork for college,” she said.
So, when a milestone was met —- graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University, she decided to sit down and bring music back into her life by writing “Crashing Down.”
She put her music down in 2022 when she felt her life had hit rock bottom, and she had her crash-down moment.
“Everybody really helped me get through this journey,” Connolly said.
Her mom gave her a little turtle and a message —- slow and steady, you will win the race.
“Every day, I looked at the turtle —- keep walking and never give up,” Connolly said. “This is why I wanted to do that song. It’s a fun, upbeat indie pop-rock song.”
She said she wanted to encourage others who have had a crash-down moment —- “your fate will change; you can keep going.”
“It can be about depression, lost your job, moved to another country, or state. Anything that has been a rock-bottom moment,” Connolly said.
The song has helped her immensely and is currently receiving international buzz after a manager discovered it on Spotify.
“I can’t believe I am listening to this song. This is how much I overcame,” she said. “I graduated from college.”
Although this is her eighth song, it will be her first release party.
“The whole public is welcome,” Connolly said. “Anybody is encouraged to sing or play guitar —- all artists are welcome.”
Connolly’s musical journey all started with her inspiration —- her brother —- who was performing a Green Day song on stage. Once very shy, her mother signed her up for vocal lessons, which unveiled a talent and passion for music.
The vocal lessons began in 2011 with Dorothy Yorty, who will be performing live with Connolly at Kava Nirvana.
Alongside music, Connolly also started doing fashion shows at the age of 14 where she felt like Cinderella in such places as Paris, New York, Orlando, and Miami.
Connolly attended Patriot Elementary School, Challenger Middle School and for high school enrolled with Lee Virtual School, so she could do independent learning and travel.
“I was doing different fashion shows. I was an ambassador for Champions Against Bullying,” she said.
Bullying occurred in the lunchroom while in middle school.
“I poured myself into my music and songwriting. It helped me through a lot,” she said.
In addition to music, she is also an intern for the School District of Lee County for the IT department and works at a radio station.
Follow her career at liinks.co/maryannconnolly.