For Immediate Release

June 17, 2026

MARA CONNOR HOLDS A MIRROR UP TO A MAN-CHILD IN

DREAMY NEW DISS TRACK “JOE” WITH ‘60s INSPIRED VIDEO

Photo credit: Schuyler Howie [Download Hi-Res]

“Southern California singer-songwriter Mara Connor pays tribute to her roots with her delightfully bright debut single. It’s a promising sign for this newcomer, and all that retro flavor never stops this song from sounding like right now.” — Brittany Spanos

“One of the '12 best up-and-coming bands and artists at SXSW….’ The Los Angeles-based singer demonstrated poise and a clear voice…’" — Greg Kot

“Somewhere between a mod balladeer and an indie folk goddess, the Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter is definitely an older soul... revealing something sultry, something country, and something uniquely hers.” — Tina Benitez-Eves

Mara Connor’s new single “Joe” is a young woman’s send-up of a man-child twice her age with wandering eyes. The most searing dig comes in the song’s chorus, where she holds a mirror up to his immaturity: “If you see a child in my eyes it’s only your reflection.” “Joe” is Connor’s first single since the LA native relocated to East Nashville. NPR’s Ann Powers recently saw Connor live and compared her to Mazzy Star, a big influence of Connor’s. 

Connor recorded “Joe” in New York with producer Tim Bright (Lisa Loeb) and engineer Matt Boynton (MGMT, Kurt Vile) with additional production by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes) in Nashville. Connor and Bright play on the track alongside Chris Egan (Solange, Blood Orange), Jon Estes (Kacey Musgraves), Dillon Casey (Orville Peck, Weyes Blood) and Gary Langol.

Connor says, “Most young women have a ‘Joe’ in their rearview mirror…this song is for them.”

The song will make its radio premiere via Nashville’s NPR station WMOT.

LISTEN TO “JOE”

WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Connor co-directed the song’s retro-inspired video with her filmmaker mom Kate Connor (“Fort McCoy” starring Eric Stoltz). The video was shot by Cristina Dunlap (Cinematographer of the Oscar-winning film “American Fiction” as well as videos for St. Vincent and Brandi Carlile) and edited by Curtis Wayne Millard (Willie Nelson, Jason Isbell). Connor was styled by Aza Ziegler (designer of fashion brand Calle del Mar). Telecaster guitar courtesy of Fender.

Mara Connor has been lauded by Rolling Stone, The Chicago Tribune, Consequence, American Songwriter and KCRW as a unique and exciting new voice in music. With only a handful of original songs and covers released thus far, this marks a new chapter of Connor’s music with more in the pipeline, including a forthcoming duet with Margo Price.

ABOUT MARA CONNOR:

Mara Connor's LA roots shine through her songs, which are drenched in the sound and spirit of Southern California and harken back to a bygone era of music. Her debut EP “No Fun” was lauded by Rolling Stone, the Chicago Tribune, American Songwriter...the EP’s title track was named Buzzbands’ No. 1 Favorite Song of the Year.” Her duet “Someone New” with Langhorne Slim debuted via Consequence, was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now” and KCRW’s “Top Tune of the Day.” At her SXSW debut, Chicago Tribune called her one of the "12 best up-and-coming artists at SXSW.” She has lots of new music in the pipeline, including a forthcoming duet with Margo Price.

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For more information on Mara Connor, please visit:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

For Mara Connor press inquiries, please contact Big Hassle Media:

Jim Merlis | jim@bighassle.com

Mia Gilling | mia@bighassle.com