The central piedmont’s own forest siren dazzles once again.

The best songwriters seem to be able to create epics that feel much bigger than the usual handful of minutes that make up their runtime with ease. Look no further for a better example of this than Charlotte’s very own Mariah Van Kleef.

A voice rooted in the Carolinas.

Born in California, and raised in rural York, South Carolina, the Charlotte-based songwriter is making waves in the region with her mesmerizing blend of folk, bossa nova, and a pure, feminine touch that can only properly be understood after being heard; the type of art that only a songstress of MVK’s caliber can can deliver at this level of efficiency. Her latest offering comes in the form of the uplifting and cinematic ‘Little Tulip’.

(As a matter of fact, her entire discography up to this point bears distinctive cinematic feel, each song feeling like their own self-contained adventure.)

“That little sprout, so curious about the weeping sky…”

From the outset, we are met with a swelling of strings and a brief glimpse of an infectious melody that later revisits the listener as a response to the call of the verses, which paint the imagery of a delicate plant in the process of growing against the oppressive and unforgiving landscape that it has been chosen by fate to grow into; A poignant and aesthetically delicate stroke of intent that hooks its roots into the listener’s mind with the softness and sensual ferocity of a kiss during a rainstorm.

Together with acoustic guitar and the steady accompaniment of percussion, the song marches on with delicate stomps that deliver an anthemic nursery rhyme of empowerment and encouragement.

With only a handful of singles thus far, Miss Van Kleef is living proof of the effectiveness of earnestness and simplicity in an era of excessive overindulgence.

Catch Mariah live in Charlotte.

This one is sure to get stuck in your head for a while, and if you’d like to witness the magic for yourself in person, catch Mariah with her live band (consisting of Jason Cline on lead guitar,  J. Scriven on percussion,  and Korey Dudley on upright bass, respectively. Oh, and at the time of this writing, she’s currently looking for a violinist. Get in touch!) on Saturday, September 27th 2025 at Starlight on 22nd in Charlotte, or on October 3rd at The Long Room (also in CLT).

The latter is set to be Mariah’s most ambitious performance yet, as it is planned to be a multimedia event that will include a performance from her band, dancers, and the unveiling her brand-new book… more on that later. 😉

What’s next: A multimedia leap

Mariah Van Kleef’s music is now available across all streaming platforms, and we’ve been told to expect a new album this coming new year… keep an eye out!