Meet Marci Allen

We were lucky to catch up with Marci Allen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marci, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I have always loved music. My dad raised me on rock n’ roll which fueled my love even more, but I never knew what to do with it in the future. I knew music was a part of me, but how could I make a living doing it? I searched for other meanings and purposes. I did find one: motherhood. I didn’t know that would be my purpose in life, but it found me. When I was pregnant, I was so excited to meet my best friend and be a mom. “This is my purpose!” Yes, this is one of my purposes, but I have another. When I was eight months pregnant, I went to a Runaway Fire show. I loved the music and the energy. Suddenly, I had this overwhelming feeling. They need a keyboard player and I want it to be me. Was I crazy?? I was about to become a mom and THIS is what a want?? Well, you can’t always choose how life plays out. The timing seemed so unconventional but I now had this huge dream, a dream I had when I was little and forgot. Mike was super excited to have me join the Runaway Fire team. I had a lot of practice ahead of me. I had never performed with a band before. As I grew as a keyboard player, so did my belly! I loved playing and feeling my baby move to the music. Pregnancy did not slow me down! We performed for some friends while I was having contractions! I’d have to pause between songs and wait for them to die down. My first show was after I gave birth. I knew I would love my journey as a mom. It’s love at first site. Now my first show….that was another story. I was so nervous. Before I got on stage I told everyone, “I quit!! What am I doing?? This is crazy!!” But I swallowed my nerves and got the courage to go on stage, my little baby out in the crowd waiting for me. By the end of the show, I knew I was hooked. I found my two purposes at the same time, nurtured them at the same time, and I am finding the balance between mom and rock n’ roll!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I play keyboards for the rock band, Runaway Fire. It is how I pay my bills! I had no idea this would be how I make a living. I love that I have all the support to follow my dreams. There is so much excitement about playing live music! There is this energy between you and the audience. You are both feeding and feeling each other. I lose myself in the music and there are moments when everyone is in that same space. Those are the special moments. One of the most exciting things for me is when after the show, a mom will come up to me with her daughter who just started piano lessons and is now feeling inspired. I am honored to be a role model to inspire anyone to follow their dreams, especially young women. Girl Power!!
We are recording a new album this fall! I can’t wait to share it with our fans.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One important quality I’ve learned is to always keep an open mind. I always told myself, “I’m never having kids. I could never perform in front of people. I’m too scared. I can’t do it.” Over the years, I have learned to open my mind to possibilities of what life could be like. I would never have found my purposes, if not for that.
Adaptability. This one is huge in my life. Juggling a baby and a rock band requires to bend and flow with the unpredictable. Nothing about parenthood is predictable. I have learned to slow down, enjoy the stages, move with them in a harmonious way. The rock band learned this with me. Many shows I would have leave them right when the show was over to go feed my baby while they packed up my gear. We learned to shuffle plans around when sitters fell through. So far I have managed to make every show while also making sure my baby was cared for. I haven’t let one dream get in the way of the other. Sacrifices have been made, yes, but I feel like I am successfully weaving between the two.
Building a support group. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Being a mom is the most wonderful thing in the world. I am also grateful to say that I can fulfill my other purpose while being a mom. It takes a team of people who love me (and I love them!!) and who support me to make this happen. I am lucky to have amazing parents who watch my crazy boy while I travel and play shows. There is a tiny struggle every time I have to leave my son. It’s very hard to be away from him, but I know what I am doing is not just for me. It’s for the band, the fans, spreading love, and also setting an example to my son to follow his dreams and do what he loves. It’s not always easy to make the sacrifices needed, but it’s worth it for a happy, meaningful life.
My advice for anyone on their own journey is simple: Go for it!! It’s easy to find reasons not to, but hold onto your passions. Life is short.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I would have to say confidence in who I am and what I am doing. Performing brings out all kinds of insecurities. “Don’t screw up. Do I look like a dork? Do people even like our music?? Are we crazy for trying to make it as musicians??” I’ve learned to OWN IT on stage. It doesn’t matter what I look like, or even if I make a mistake, what matters is the experience you give people. They want to be lost in the music and the emotions. It’s not about me, it’s about the music and the crowd. If I lose myself, have fun, and know that I am giving my all for them, than I have done my job.
Now confidence in being a mom, that’s a tricky one! There’s a constant battle of comparing yourself and judging yourself, not knowing if you are doing the right thing or being good enough, should I not leave my baby to play a show. But with the help a super awesome husband and my family members, they have helped me see that no mom is perfect. I love my son more than I ever imagined possible. Everything I do, is so he can have a good future and life also. I don’t think about how other parents do what they do, or how well behaved other two year olds might be. I think about Simon, what is best for him and do my best to give him a good day. I love my role as a mom, even when it’s hard. It’s all part of the journey. I love who I am. I love that I can say that because it hasn’t always been that way. I want to teach Simon to always love who he is. Our message as Runaway Fire is to spread love, love yourself and others. We have a little saying when things get gloomy or hard. “We shine wherever we go!” I like to live my life with that in mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://runawayfire.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RunawayFireband/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runawayfire
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@runawayfireband