Mara Carlyle is an English singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist.

Mara’s recent scores include the Working Title Television / BBC drama series, EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE, based on Dolly Alderton’s hugely successful memoir of the same name, and additional music for the feature film The Show, created by the celebrated writer Alan Moore. Aside from her film and TV score work, Mara has written and arranged extensively for advertising campaigns including on one of John Lewis infamous Christmas adverts.

As well as her critically acclaimed solo albums ‘Floreat’ and ‘The Lovely’, Mara is known for her frequent collaborations and production work with other artists such as Max de Wardener, Emiliana Torrini, Willy Mason, the London Contemporary Orchestra, MF DOOM, Bastille and JUSTICE, including on their Grammy award-winning album ‘Woman Worldwide’.

Able to effortlessly move between commercial and art-house projects, Mara has a unique ability to weave humour with melancholy whilst always retaining heart and warmth, straddling genres from folk and jazz, to electronic and classical. Her eclectic career has also included presenting on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’ and fronting her own documentary on the life and career of Ella Fitzgerald for BBC Radio 4. Mara also plays the musical saw.

Mara Carlyle is an English singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist.

Mara’s recent scores include the Working Title Television / BBC drama series, EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE, based on Dolly Alderton’s hugely successful memoir of the same name, and additional music for the feature film The Show, created by the celebrated writer Alan Moore. Aside from her film and TV score work, Mara has written and arranged extensively for advertising campaigns including on one of John Lewis infamous Christmas adverts.

As well as her critically acclaimed solo albums ‘Floreat’ and ‘The Lovely’, Mara is known for her frequent collaborations and production work with other artists such as Max de Wardener, Emiliana Torrini, Willy Mason, the London Contemporary Orchestra, MF DOOM, Bastille and JUSTICE, including on their Grammy award-winning album ‘Woman Worldwide’.

Able to effortlessly move between commercial and art-house projects, Mara has a unique ability to weave humour with melancholy whilst always retaining heart and warmth, straddling genres from folk and jazz, to electronic and classical. Her eclectic career has also included presenting on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’ and fronting her own documentary on the life and career of Ella Fitzgerald for BBC Radio 4. Mara also plays the musical saw.

Film

2023 – The Day I Became a Bird [forthcoming]
[Additional Music]
Short animation
Directed by Andrew Ruhemann / Passion Pictures

2020 – The Show [additional music]
Directed by Mitch Jenkins
Lex Films / EMU Films

2017 – Theeb [vocalist]
Directed by Naji Abu Nowar
Bayt Al Shawareb / Noor Pictures

2015 – Nina Forever [vocalist]
Directed by Ben Blaine & Chris Blaine
Jeva Films / Casualties Bureau

2016 – After The Rain [short film]
[theme music]
Directed by Gaelle Denis
Passion Pictures

TV

2022 – Everything I Know About Love
Directed by China Moo-Young & Julia Ford
Working Title Television

Selected Discography

2018 – Classist
Max de Mara
Released by Max de Mara

2018 – Woman Worldwide
JUSTICE
Released by Ed Banger Records / Because

2015 – Golden Ticket
Golden Rules
Released by Lex Records

2014 – Befalling
Emily Hall & Mara Carlyle
Released by Nearfield Music

2013 – Glow
Jackson & His Computer Band
Released by Warp Records

2011 – Floreat
Mara Carlyle
Released by EMI / Ancient & Modern

2005 – Baby Bloodheart EP
Mara Carlyle
Released by Ancient & Modern

2004 – The Lovely
Mara Carlyle
Released by Accidental Records

2003 – Goodbye Swingtime
Matthew Herbert
Released by Accidental Records

2001 – Double Figures
Plaid
Released by Warp Records