On The Rise: My Midnight Heart - On Tour Now With Tegan & Sara

Angelica Marie is a Puerto Rican and American singer and songwriter, going by her stage name My Midnight Heart. The talented young artist has been known to describe her dream and nightmares with haunting realism" through her music.

Getting her stage name from her first single "Midnight Heart", Angelica describes My Midnight Heart as "about the dreams and fears hidden deep inside us, things we even hide from ourselves." With a list of musical influences including Kate Bush, Bjork, Cocteau Twins, Radiohead, Prince, Mariah Carey and PJ Harvey - Angelica Marie aka My Midnight Heart includes a wide variety of inspiration from different genres and eras of music into her own work.

The singer and songwriter is currently on tour opening up for the power duo Tegan & Sara, and will hit the stage on Thursday in Pittsburgh at Stage AE. We recently had the chance to sit down with My Midnight Heart to discuss her musical background, inspirations and future plans. Read further and get to know this talented young lady on the rise.

How did you first get your start in music?
I've been writing songs since I was a kid. Most of my early stuff was blatant Mariah Carey ripoffs.

Then I discovered Fiona Apple and Bjork and my entire life changed! I discovered a new way of listening and writing music. I only wanted to sound like myself from then on.

In your free time, who are some artists you spend your time listening to?
St Vincent, Jessie Ware, Sampha, Kate Bush, Drake, James Blake, Kanye West, MIA and Chairlift.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry, who would it be?
Thom Yorke!

What is your best piece of advice for those looking to get their foot in the door in the music industry?
Make good art and make yourself accessible.

No one will ever hear your music if you don't put time and money into it. You need to find a way to get it out into the world and heard.

What has been your most memorable experience while performing?
Every time I perform I remember why I work so hard writing, recording, and arranging my music. It transports me.

It reminds me why I exist. Every performance is memorable because of that.

What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Releasing our next EP!

What are your upcoming plans in regards to more work, releases, touring, etc?
Just do what we're doing but more and better. I'd like to tour more, work on being more visible after the EP is released.

Where do you see yourself or your music going in the next 5 years or so?
I am aiming high.

As cliche as it sounds, I want everyone to know my name.

Why be in this business and strive to perfect your art just for art's sake? I want people to love and listen to my music; that's the whole reason I write it.

For more information on Angelica and her My Midnight Heart project, be sure to visit www.mymidnightheart.com, and be sure to check her out this summer in a city near you while on tour with Tegan & Sara!