MAYA- Who is She

19-year-old trilingual singer & rapper “MAYA”, from Japan 

Interview conducted on September 08, 2020

By Dan Locke

How did you discover music?

When i was little i would hear the music, my parents would listen too. Some of my first musical influences were Aaliyah, Nelly, and Destiny’s child

How did you start to write music?

around the age of 10 i started taking piano lessons, I learned how to compose simple melodies & would try to write lyrics.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

When I was 9 I went through a goth phase where I’d dress in all black and listen to My Chemical Romance, that year i begged my parents for an electric guitar. They definitely weren’t feeling me & my goth vibes so they got me a pink one. I remember being pissed n bringing it to the big homie, he sprays painted it black and drew skulls all over it.

I do still have it

What was your first performance at like?

my first performance was a lot of fun, I was in a duo at the time and we killed it, having the crowd sing along and seeing everyone hype was a great feeling.

What makes a good songwriter?

i don’t think there are any specific factors that make a good song writer, everyone likes what they like. i see music as an expression of an individual, the same way people look at art.

What was the title of your first original song?

I don’t remember honestly

Did you record it?

no

How did you get your name?

Maya is my actual name, my mama named Maya cause they have the name in America, Japan & Russia.

You single “Only what I like” came out on Aug. 14th. Tell me about it? And why you recorded it?

“Only What I Like” was one of the first songs i ever recorded in a studio, I have definitely grown and improved since recording that song. I honestly just can’t wait to be able to release more.

What do you feel is the market for your single?

I think the market for my single is for people that speak Japanese or English. bad bitches and anyone who messes with my style

How do you stay healthy while you performing?

I try to go to the gym 2 times a week and eat healthy

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

good

Digital vs. vinyl?

digital

Do you think kids should go back to school his fall?

education is important, but so is playing a part in stopping a global pandemic. i think that what a lot of schools are doing with Zoom is a good idea.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

A song from my past the comes to mind is billionaire by Bruno Mars & Travie Mccoy.

growing up money was always an issue, i just remember being in 3rd grade straight jamming out to the song. “i wanna be a billionaire soooo fucking bad, buy all of the things i never had” i always had a husslers mentality, n songs like this motivated me to move correct n always work hard to get what i want.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

most things in the music industry other than touring and traveling is online, so in terms of putting out music, i don’t think corona affects it much. I’m just hoping all this will end soon so we can get back to normal

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

I’ve been writing a lot of music & taking care of myself. quarantine helped open my third eye even more than before, the quiet peace of mind helped me push my mind and see into myself and others past surface level.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

working out and sports. i used to be hella of althetic in high school but after i graduated i kinda got lazy with it.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

I don’t watch TV. It’s always Netflix or Youtube

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do?

I only have one song out so i can’t have a concert but i for sure see the importance in social media for growing a fan base so i definitely try to keep my socials poppin.

For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?

i think artists can still make a living by doing it through the internet, however, I’d never wanna live in a world where we can’t go see a live performance- that would be mad crazy & unauthentic. bands going back to smaller venues w no guarantees are just a part of the business, if we stopped doing live shows I think the music would become less genuine

With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?

it might be, & for now the internet is the solution

Anything you would like to say in closing.

still making music for sure