Marley Kaye is a sound engineer and musician who helps lead the live audio team at The Stray, one of the rare listening-room venues where every detail matters. She also records at home, collaborates with her dad on bigger production work, teaches guitar, and performs her own music as marsfade and with The Temperances.
We break down how she went from house shows and “worst garbage gear” to becoming the first audio engineer hired at The Stray, why consistency behind the board makes every show better, and what it takes to keep a six-person team running smoothly when everyone is also touring, freelancing, or traveling. Marley also shares what makes open band night thrilling, why she loves the pressure of being ready for anything, and how walkie talkies and a stage manager can save a sold-out night.
You’ll also hear what makes The Stray different from a typical venue, why a true listening room changes everything for both the crowd and the engineer, and why Marley still gets emotional when a band sounds incredible. If you care about live sound, DIY music scenes, teaching, recording, or building a creative life around what you love, this conversation is packed with real-world insight.
Marley also opens up about her upcoming seven-song marsfade EP, the challenge of writing from lived experience, and why her best songs always come from actually living through something first. It’s an honest, funny, and surprisingly moving look at what it means to make a life in music without losing the spark.
