The people behind the system.

The founder, the team, and the artists that make Sungate what it is.

Hi, I’m Mari!

I started Sungate because I wanted to build the company I wish had existed when I was starting out in my early twenties as a struggling independent artist. Like many artists, I believed that signing a record deal was the finish line. I spent nearly ten years pursuing what I believed was the dream: signing my first artist development deal with an Interscope executive. The experience gave me an inside look at how the traditional music business operates and convinced me there had to be a better model for independent artists.

So I bought back my masters, built my career independently, and focused on creating multiple streams of income through songwriting, production, sync licensing, live performance, and artist services. Without a major label, manager, or publishing deal, I built a six figure music business, earned international chart success, landed television sync placements, and collaborated with incredible artists and producers around the world.

To strengthen that mission, I earned my M.A. in Music Business from NYU Steinhardt. But just as importantly, I continue to work as an active recording artist, songwriter, and producer, so the advice I give isn’t theoretical, it’s informed by the realities of today’s industry.

I believe the next generation of music companies won’t own artists, they’ll empower them. That’s the future I’m building at Sungate.