Maeta – Do Not Disturb

By starrymag | April 7, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would say edgy R&B or alternative R&B. But including all my runs and soulfulness.

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love Sza, Tame Impala, Yebba and (of course) Beyoncé.

 

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “You Lie.”

 

A) You lie is about being treating like trash by somebody or being in a toxic relationship but you keep going back to that person, even though it’s so bad for you.

 

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think it’s a real thing so many people go through and the message is so clear in the lyrics.

 

 

Q) How does the video for the song play into the message behind it?

 

A) In the video you see my boyfriend and I posing for a photo together, but behind the scenes were fighting, he’s texting some other girl and things aren’t how we present them to everybody else. One theme is that not all relationships are how the look on the outside.

 

 

Q) How did you come up with the concept for #MaetaMondays where you’ll release a new track each time?

 

A) I started doing #MaetaMonday covers before I ever started putting out music, when I was like sixteen years old. Once I started making music, I changed it from a cover to a song so I can evolve as an artist and make it a bigger thing. It’s a little more stressful this way because half the time there isn’t a song ready, but it always works out somehow.

 

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) I usually just get in a room with a bunch of producers and writers and we just mess around with melodies and concepts. It’s never the same. One thing that I can’t do is try melodies in the same room as everybody. I always need a mic in a separate room, I get to nervous when everybody is in there watching me. [laughs]

 

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) I’ll change things if I want to, but usually I just let the producers do their thing. I’m picky with little things so, every once in a while, I’m make minor changes but not often.

 

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Maeta performance?

 

A) Fans can expect a lot of runs and awkward commentary between songs. [laughs]

 

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your debut EP Do Not Disturb?

 

A) My EP is full of moody songs about my love life. I talk about toxic relationships, exciting and spontaneous love, a lil bit of everything.

 

 

Q) What songs off your EP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I really want to perform “You Lie.” I haven’t performed it yet, mostly because it’s so short. But I definitely want to use it in future shows.

 

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) I want them to relate to it somehow. The songs that are helping me in life right now are honest and raw songs about love, and I hope my music can do the same for somebody else.

 

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) I love when I get to perform in venues with a band. I’ve only done it twice but it makes the show more fun and I love hearing them switch up my songs.

 

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) SZA or James Fauntleroy.

 

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Ari Lennox and Harloe. I love Ari’s lyrics are so real and relatable and Harloe can sing her ass off AND is amazing at piano. I’m trying to watch and learn from her since I just started playing piano again after a few years break.

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I think it’s important because it’s so easy and you can connect with so many people at the same time. For example, I’ll get on live and talk to thirty people at once and I build relationships with everybody. I end up talking to the same few all the time. I can’t wait until one day I can meet some of them in person.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I would like to say THANK YOU for all of the support and be ready for new music coming soon, even better than what’s out now. [smiles]

 

 

 

 

Watch Music By MAETA

You Lie – https://youtu.be/cBOn7XAVE2s
Press Play – https://youtu.be/WT63VzwOHmI
Payback – https://youtu.be/LJJb5MwLrpo

Kind of Fool – https://youtu.be/aA85WULqgqo

Too Good – https://youtu.be/-Ttb4uRuHyE