Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Q (aka MARTE).
Hi Mari Q, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a creative person at heart, and I really feel like my purpose is to connect people through music and art. I started singing when I was ten years old, and I took vocal lessons throughout my youth. With my background as a gymnast, dancer, and competitive cheerleader, I had this built-in discipline to practice, perform, and push myself. In high school, I sang in choir, both chorally and classically. I competed in solo and ensemble competitions at the district and state level. That’s really where my music theory, composition, and songwriting abilities started to develop. When I graduated, I shifted my focus to the visual arts such as painting, digital art, and photography, because I wanted to keep exploring my creativity in new ways. But the turning point for me came during the COVID pandemic. Like so many others, I was reevaluating everything about my future. I craved community, closeness, and the energy of live music. That’s what really pushed me to return to music with a deeper purpose.
In late 2020, I began teaching myself music production on an online DAW called Soundtrap. I made a lot of demos and sketches of songs that I loved, but I didn’t yet have the production skills to finish them. Instead of quitting, I dove deeper into learning. Around that time, I was also getting exposed to Miami’s rave and underground scene. A friend invited me to document events through photography, and through that, I began connecting with the community. It was at those raves that I felt inspired to learn how to DJ. I reached out nervously to Princess Khai, asking her to teach me. Thankfully, she said yes, and she not only gave me the technical tools but also booked me for my debut in November 2021. That night changed everything. I also began learning how to use Ableton, and graduated to a more sophisticated method of producing music and explored the knowledge at depth. From there, I dedicated myself full, spending countless hours refining my song selection, experimenting with styles, and growing my network in the underground community. I supported events any way I could: taking photos, running doors, assisting artists, setting up and breaking down. Over time, people in my community began to notice my growth, and they gave me opportunities to share my sound.
Now, I perform as MARTE, a Venezuelan DJ, singer, and producer based in Miami. My sound is very open-format and versatile. I love blending genres like Techno, Jersey Club, Footwork, Raptor House, Latin Club, Speed Garage, and more. As of 2024, I also created an alter ego, EVIL MARTE, where I slow things down and focus exclusively on House and Minimal Tech. Beyond my solo work, I’m also one half of MARU, a femme DJ duo with my partner mnu. Together we bring a shared chemistry and bold, genre-bending sets to the scene. Since starting, I’ve been fortunate to play at venues I once looked up to from the dance floor in places like The Boombox, Floyd, Factory Town, Jolene, and more. I’ve supported artists ranging from underground sensations to internationally recognized names, and I’ve had the chance to headline in New York City, Austin and Chicago. I’ve also performed at festivals like We Belong Here and III Points, and I hold a residency with Miami K-Pop Night, where as MARU, we curate monthly events for a really special community.
At the end of the day, what drives me hasn’t changed since I was ten. It’s about connection. Whether it’s on the dance floor, in a rave, or through a mix online, my goal is always to create experiences where people feel seen, energized, and united by sound.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I feel like nothing is a smooth road, as much as you wanna make it. The obstacles do not matter if your eyes are set on the bigger picture and your goal. My biggest struggles were either personal and financial, with my stability being directly tied to my wellbeing and my creativity. These have been the biggest mountains I have had to move within my journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my professional life, I’m a DJ, singer and producer based in Miami.
What I really do is create experiences through music. I don’t like to stick to just one sound because I get inspired by so many styles, so my sets usually bring all the genres that I feel connected to together. I love keeping things high energy and surprising, but also making sure people feel connected on the dance floor.
I think what makes me different is how versatile I am. I can adapt to different spaces and crowds without losing my own voice. That’s also why I created EVIL MARTE, which is my alter ego where I only focus on house and minimal tech. It lets me explore another side of myself. I also play as part of MARU, which is my femme DJ duo with my partner mnu, and that project is really special because of the joint chemistry as best friends and musical partners we bring to our sets as one. I’ve had the chance to share lineups with artists I’ve admired for a long time and to play at venues that meant so much to me coming up.
What I’m most proud of though is the effort I put into creating my own event, INTERPLANETARY, and the community that’s growing around me. I started by just showing up for other people, taking photos, helping with events, volunteering, and that energy came back to me in the opportunities I have now. For me it’s about more than just playing music. It’s about building connections, making people feel something, and creating spaces where everyone belongs. That’s really what sets me apart.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The past, present and future of the music and cultural community really inspires me to do better. We could easily be an insular community that likes to separate and gatekeep, and we could be close minded to change and to growth. But we aren’t, we are a vibrant community with many aspects, collectives and creatives that we are actively celebrating and uplifting. It feels very warm to be a part of this community, to have a space to even organize my own events and bring people together in safe spaces.
I will say that, outside of that, there is a layer of deceit and materialism that surrounds our city that you have to break through before finding a sense of community like this. Many Miami residents, local or transplant, are focused on ways they can benefit on their own from others, rather than helping others around them. I felt separate from the people that run on that mentality and I’m proud to say there are heaps of genuine and authentic souls in our city that make me hopeful for the rest.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/planet.marte
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/planetmarte
Image Credits
Brenda Brooks
Legend Saylor
