A stripped-back alt-folk reckoning steeped in restraint, rage, and release
Roswell, GA (June 27, 2025) - Alt-folk singer-songwriter Maria Deirisarri releases “Parabellum” today, the brooding and defiant final single from her upcoming EP, Si Vis Pacem. Featuring acclaimed indie artist and regular collaborator Corey Kilgannon, the track is out now on all platforms and marks one of the most emotionally direct, sonically refined moments of her career so far.
Written the night before recording and tracked live in a single take, “Parabellum” is quiet in tone but bold in message. Inspired by a sudden rupture with someone she once loved, it’s a reckoning in disguise, a whispered, uncompromising warning: take what you want from me, but be ready for the fallout.
The track’s minimalist arrangement with just four instruments puts Maria’s voice front and center, full of quiet, restrained fury and lyrical clarity. Its commanding confidence draws from the idea behind its title, the Latin phrase “si vis pacem, para bellum,” meaning, “if you want peace, prepare for war.” The phrase is also a central motif in the John Wick film series, which helped inspire the song’s visual and emotional scope, also inspiring the EP's name.
There are some songs that come to you out of nowhere, when in reality, you've been working towards writing them your entire life. Parabellum is one of those songs for me."
- Singer-songwriter Maria Deirisarri
Maria’s voice carries the weight of the wound and the warning. The song opens with candid studio dialogue that reveals its unfiltered origin. The result is minimal yet visceral, cinematic yet grounded.
"It's so badass," said Maria.
"Parabellum" cover art by Maria Deirisarri
Lyrically, “Parabellum” traverses landscapes both literal and emotional: oceans, mountains, forests, deserts, and frozen lands appear not just as metaphors but as stages for a reckoning with identity, grief, and release. As Maria sings, “take whatever you want, whatever you see / just let me go and leave me be,” it becomes clear this is not a plea, but a boundary carved in sound.
These lines carry layered meaning, many also inspired by John Wick, with multiple allusions in the lyrics to specific moments from the movie series.
Produced by Corey Kilgannon at Beaches Vineyard and Jacob Hudson at Pine Studios, “Parabellum” straddles the line between alternative folk and cinematic minimalism: equal parts personal monologue and visual score. It’s the sound of letting go with precision, not apology. Using Kilgannon’s understated presence to add depth without distraction, the track hits with clarity few songs dare to reach.
The cover art, created by Deirisarri herself, further embodies the song’s themes of transformation and emotional release. Its design takes inspiration from the Great Wave off Kanagawa, an iconic Japanese woodblock print often interpreted to be a grand symbol of nature's power.
About Maria Deirisarri:
Rising pop artist Maria Deirisarri is only 19, but her musicianship and lyricism suggest wisdom beyond her years. The Atlanta-based singer-songwriter experiments with many genres, from dark alternative to bossa nova, generating an eclectic mix of music notably showcased in her debut album, In The Beginning.
Already amassing over 110k streams on Spotify, and garnering attention from top publications such as EARMILK and Conversations About Her, Maria Deirisarri’s success continues to increase with every release. The range of her sound entices listeners to discover every song’s personality, surprising them with lyrics connected to her Hispanic culture and multilingual heritage (such as in “The Same” and “Te Necesito”).
The young artist has triumphed in various competitions, ranging from her Trailblazing Performer accolade from the International Singer-Songwriters Association, her second-place finish in Omega’s Got Talent, to her Talent Preliminary Award in the Miss Georgia Teen Volunteer Competition.
Maria Deirisarri’s vibrant artiste meets the listener with a grace and uniqueness that is a breath of fresh air. Fans are eager to see what this up-and-coming superstar has up her sleeve.
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17-year-old pop sensation Maria Deirisarri is set to release her debut album, "In The Beginning," on September 29th. Hailing from Atlanta, her musical talent transcends her age, exploring genres from dark alternative to bossa nova. With over 77k Spotify streams and recognition from top publications like Earmilk and Conversations About Her, Maria's star is on the rise. Her music, influenced by her Hispanic heritage, surprises and captivates with its multilingual lyrics.
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