Maya Solovéy is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn New York. With six records under her name, Maya writes music that can vary from quirky indie-pop to folk and Americana, to bossa nova—presented from the most elaborate productions to the most stark. Though regardless of genre or style, her voice carries with it a sense of depth, playfulness, intimacy, strength and fragility.
In addition to constantly recording, she has toured internationally, and garnered critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, Glamor Magazine, WFMU.fm, After Ellen, and many prestigious blogs. Her music has been featured in numerous feature films, broadcast TV shows, and global TV commercials, and boasts over 100,000 downloads on the Free Music Archive.
In this interview feature, we speak with Maya about her new project, influences, surviving the digitized music world and much more.
Q&A along with links and a stream of the new single below.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I think these things happen naturally, rather than choosing to pursue a particular style. I think most people just end up writing the music they write, then have to figure out how to explain it, often using genres as tools. I try to write as authentically as I can, to who I am, and that just happened to be folk and pop music.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
About 14 years.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
I am a devotee of the songwriting giants of many generations, namely the 60s and 70s, but newer artists influence me all the time. A lot of the times it’s very specific, where a particular song will be sparked by a song I heard, but by an artist that I wouldn’t necessarily listen to all the time.
I don’t think “to keep going” is a choice per say. If you have the need to make music, then you make music, until that changes.
Tell us about your single “Better”:
This is a very personal song, written from the depths of deep sadness, but writing the song is what got me out of that feeling, and gave me a sense of hope. The song itself became a reminder to myself, that indeed, all things pass, all things get better, and in the meantime, we just have to get through it. It reminds me to not indulge too much in my feelings of despair or self pity, because really, I know better.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific with this single? Creatively or otherwise?
Like I said, I was trying to lift myself out of my own feelings of hopelessness.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I think all are useful in their own ways (and I use all three) but I definitely prefer vinyl. (Our collection is threatening to take over our house).
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I think Spotify is great for users, but terrible for artists. (We get paid basically nothing for streams, as a lot of people know). But as far as it being a discovery platform for many people, I feel like I can’t afford not to be on there (though I wish I could). But I also use it myself to listen to new things, or dig around for old things, so I am a part of the whole system as well. I use Bandcamp as an artist, and I think it’s a great platform. Although if you really want to support artists, buy as directly from them as you can. (Even Bandcamp takes a percentage, as does every other platform). For me, the best way is on my website.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
The challenge of getting people to listen to your music in the first place is the biggest challenge of all. A lot of it is a question of funds. Very infrequently does something “go viral” on it’s own. Someone is always paying for that, or other types of exposure. As an independent artist, I actually live off of my music, and it is difficult to pay for all the PR and advertising avenues when you have to live your life and pay your regular bills.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
I definitely gig locally in Brooklyn and New York, and sometimes tour. I have done some live streaming, and I heard some folks live streamed my last show to facebook. The best way is to sign up on my mailing list, to be notified about shows (www.mayasolovey.com). You can also follow me on instagram, facebook, and all those fun sites.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
Definitely my website, though I’m active on facebook and instagram too. You can also dig around on my Soundcloud, where I have been known to post new demos and all sorts of other stuff that’s not up anywhere else. I’ve also just started a patreon page, which I’m pretty excited about. https://www.patreon.com/mayasolovey
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Do what you love, work hard, and try to have as few expectations as possible. Spend as much time with friends and family as you can. Be as true to yourself and to your art as you can, and know that it’s ok for that truth to change. Adjust your dreams to your reality, and try not to worry about the little things. Be grateful. We have so much that we don’t even realize how much it really is. There will always be people who you think have it better than you, and other people who look at you thinking the same thing. It’s never as great as it looks, and everybody struggles. Be nice to people, and open to who they are. Listen. Learn. Love.
Whew, that turned out to be more than I thought. Thanks so much for having me Middle Tennessee Music! It’s been a pleasure.
