Marty Kolls Finds Stillness and Surrender on Reflective Folk-Pop Single “Waves”
Building upon years of writing, teaching, and performing music rooted in connection and observation, London, Ontario–based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marty Kolls releases her latest single. “Waves” is a calm and meditative folk-pop single that draws from the natural rhythms of water to explore struggle, surrender, and emotional grounding. Gentle yet resonant, the track reflects on the ebb and flow of life, offering a quiet space for reflection and release.
Inspired by time spent along Lake Huron, “Waves” emerged from Marty’s deep, lifelong connection to water.
“Whether observing water from the vastness of the ocean or a ripple in a pond, it has been the root of inspiration for me for much of my life,” she explains. “Its stillness can anchor me while its waves can cleanse me.”
That duality sits at the heart of the song, where moments of calm and motion coexist, mirroring the emotional cycles we move through.
The song’s origin was as intuitive as its subject matter.
“It came to me at the tail end of my sleep,” Marty shares. “As I was waking up, the chord progression was in my head and I immediately went to the keyboard to record it.”
From there, the track unfolded naturally, guided by feeling rather than force.
What sets “Waves” apart is its sense of flow. Layered backing harmonies move like currents beneath the surface, subtly propelling the song forward while maintaining its grounded, reflective tone. During recording, an unexpected vocal “hiccup” shifted the rhythmic phrasing of the harmonies; a moment that producer Simon Larochette encouraged Marty to embrace.
“That became our favourite part,” she notes, highlighting the song’s openness to imperfection and instinct.
Lyrically, “Waves” leans into acceptance and growth. “Fear is healthy, fear is good, even heartbreak makes you grow,” Marty sings, capturing the idea that struggle and uncertainty are not obstacles, but necessary parts of becoming. Like water itself, the song moves through tension and release, ultimately arriving at a place of calm surrender.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am an artist living in London Ontario, though born and raised in Fredericton New Brunswick where I traveled along the St. John River or Wolastoq daily. Once I finished school I lived all over the world, and have fond memories of all the places I travelled to see different bodies of water. I live now with my husband, two daughters and dog, and I enjoy taking them into nature, especially water, wherever I can.
“Waves” feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. What emotions or experiences were most present in your life while writing the song?
As an artist we are always moving with the ebb and flow of our work. The saying ‘when it rains, it pours’ often applies to when an artist is in ‘demand’ and then when there are very dry seasons. So finding ways through those dry seasons or managing the heavy tides of work, and sometimes disappointment, is something that many can relate to. I’ll admit the song is somewhat of a reminder of this to myself.
You’ve spoken about your lifelong connection to water. What is it about water specifically that continues to inspire your creativity and songwriting?
It might be the Pisces in me, or my Ayurvedic dosha, but I am constantly drawn to water and enjoy spending time with it. There is something calming and equally intriguing about it. It can also be extremely dangerous. Water has been a subject for artists forever and just observing it can bring up emotions. I find it speaks to me in a way that helps me find the resolve I need from time to time.
Lake Huron played an important role in inspiring “Waves.” Can you describe what those moments by the water looked and felt like for you?
On the day I wrote the song the water on Lake Huron, where I was, happened to be very calm. It was fall, so there weren’t a lot of people in the water, but it was warm enough to enjoy the beach. I think I was taken by how much people are drawn to water, even when it is too cold to swim, and how water just attracts visitors, all over the world. It made me think of why. Also, I pondered on how people endure so much when it comes to water, rough waters or calm, that maybe they don’t internalize in their own lives.
How was it working with producer Simon Larochette on this track, and what did he bring to the final version of “Waves”?
Simon Larochette is a great depiction of calm water. He’s always easy to sing for and allows the art to flow in the studio. In the case of the vocals, we were recording the harmonies on the chorus and when I jumped into one of the lines quickly and I had a hiccup in the rhythm. He picked up on it and that now became the rhythm that we kept for the chorus. It made sense in the moment and gave the song a new texture that added to the theme of it all.
Lyrically, the line “Fear is healthy, fear is good, even heartbreak makes you grow” really stands out. What does that message mean to you personally?
The line ‘even heartbreak makes you grow’ were lyrics that came in reference to the idea of surviving rough waters. They also had a connection to one of my fellow musicians who was going through some heartbreak at that time. Every time I sang the lyrics, I thought of her.
With “Waves” now out in the world, what’s next for you creatively in 2026?
As an artist, I am constantly curious about my purpose and contribution to the world through art. I have a few songs I’m working on and plan to put out over the rest of the year, so I try to take advantage of those moments of creativity and capture the flow, because I know the ebb is coming too.