INTERVIEW: MAYKA — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

MAYKA

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THERE are a lot of energetic and passionate…

artists working in music right now. It can be hard deciphering and discovering which artists are better than the average. It takes no time at all to realise MAYKA is a hot talent who needs no time and chance to bed in. I have been speaking with her about the single, Rich, and what comes next for her; which new artists she recommends – whether there are any tour dates confirmed.

The Swedish-based artist discusses the music in the country and how she got into music/D.J.ing. I ask whether MAYKA has any advice for new artists and what she wants to achieve before the end of the year – ending the song with a great song choice.

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Hi, MAYKA. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! My last week has been intense with lots of sessions and also promo-stuff, but I'm feeling very good and excited!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I'm MAYKA; born and raised in Sweden. I make dark, naive and edgy Pop with Trap, Future-Bass and Hip-Hop influences. My background lies in D.J.ing and the EDM-scene.

Rich is your new song. What is the tale behind the song?

From the beginning, the song was about a relationship scenario - and I pictured dating some guy who's just bragging and showing off. Lately, I've found a deeper meaning, and now, I think it's more about striving for success – how we're chasing goals and trying to find happiness outside ourselves.

I'm so tired of that and I just wanna go back to simplicity and the richness of being present.

It is a colourful and huge track. Did you design it with the summer in mind? It has that crowd-uniting sound to it!

Thanks! Actually, it was written a year ago, right before summer. I wanted it to be happy and cheerful but, at the same time, with an ounce of melancholy and heaviness.

What was it like producing alongside LIOHN?

I love making music with LIOHN. He's such a genius with great composer skills and, at the same time, awesome at making beats and sounds.

Are you looking ahead to new material? Might we expect an E.P. before the end of the year?

Yeah. I've got so many nice songs stored. Hopefully, there will be another single before summer and an E.P. this fall.

You are one-half of the Electro-Rap-Pop duo, Death Team. Do you think your first solo outing differs from the work you do with Death Team? Are you going to balance the two projects?

Hm. Yeah; my solo-stuff is a bit more dark and less '90s party. I love both of the projects and I feel like they represent different aspects of me. Right now, I'm focusing more on my own thing - but the goal is to balance the two.

How did you get your start in music? Were there particular artists that got you hooked?

When I was a kid, I listened to Nirvana, Snoop Dogg and Rage Against the Machine. I was a real music nerd and bought new records every week. But it wasn't until I was about twenty-one-years-old I started pursuing music myself. I heard Justice – We Are Your Friends on a dancefloor while living in Barcelona and I got totally blown away. There and then I decided to become a D.J.

I started out playing records at Indie clubs and, after a while, I learned production. I did that for some years and then got crazy-inspired by M.I.A., Uffie and Fever Ray. So; I started singing/rapping and writing. I've always been drawn to rebellious, high-energy music with a Punk and don't-give-a-f*ck-vibe.

PHOTO CREDIT: Adam Chiapponi

You are Swedish-born. Is the music scene in Sweden quite varied and promising? How would you sum up Sweden’s ‘sound’ in a few words?

Swedes are awesome at making music.

I guess people are extremely creative and productive since it's dark and cold, like, nine months a year. I would say the Swedish sound is forward-thinking, fresh; melodic and trend-setting, but, with a lot of soul and essence.

Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?

I have some gigs coming up in Sweden during spring. So excited. A tour is not planned yet and I'm busy rehearsing and putting my live set together.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

I just hope my songs will find new homes - and that I will keep developing and experimenting with my sound. I always think the best is yet to come.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

I have many. There are so many roadblocks I've been forced to climb during my journey, and it's crazy that I'm still doing this and haven't given up yet. One of my best memories was my first festival summer with Death Team. I was insanely nervous since I had no live experience. But, with all of the support from our fans, it felt like I got superpowers on stage and I grew more and more for every show we did.

Total bliss and euphoria.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Collaborate and don't try to do everything by yourself. Join a community and look for support and people who can hold your back. Also, put some focus on finding visual concepts that represent you and your music.

IN THIS PHOTO: Mallrat

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yeah. A singer-songwriter girl, Mallrat, from Australia is my new favorite. Also; Swedish producer MagnusTheMagnus makes awesome beats.

IN THIS PHOTO: MagnusTheMagnus

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Some periods are crazy-hectic and other times it feels like I got nothing to do at all. When I don't have gigs at the weekends, I love to do some yoga, hang-out with friends; chill out and watch Netflix series.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Louis the Child, Elohim – Love Is Alive