marie digby sings for 'lincoln'

You've heard her song "Avalanche" on "Lincoln Heights" promos; now meet her.

Marie (pronounced mah-ree-ay) Digby's been writing songs about love and other life lessons since age 15, when she bought herself a $50 guitar. You probably hadn't heard of her till 2007, when you -- like millions of other instant fans -- saw her sing an acoustic version of Rihanna's "Umbrella." You know the clip -- she's sitting on the floor in front of a couch, singing into the camera.

"That was a really wonderful way to start," says Marie. "I could present myself exactly as I wanted." The following year, the public snapped up her debut album, "Unfold." Her second set, "Breathing Underwater" (due September 15), reflects a fuller, more mature artist who's addressing bigger themes and musical styles. "Avalanche," the song in the "Lincoln Heights" promos, is the new record's first single.

Marie grew up in L.A. with her Japanese mom, Irish-American dad, and two younger sisters. She went to UC Berkeley to study philosophy and figured she'd go to law school after that, but when her career called midway through college, she left school to pursue it.

"I knew making it in music was impossible," she says, "but I didn't care what it took."

Ever chased a dream you thought was impossible? Did you catch it?