Maria Mena – They Never Leave Their Wives

By starrymag | May 4, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Hmm… Singer songwriter pop-rock, I guess. It changes a little bit from record to record, but you can always tell it’s me.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Lyrically, I would have to say Alanis Morisette. She sort of raised me on her honesty and fearlessness.

 

Q) Tell us about the story behind your new song “You Broke Me.”

 

A) Well, I had just gotten divorced and met someone who made me believe in love again. Turns out he lied about everything and when that was over, I was so sure that I was broken. The naive romantic girl in me was just gone!

 

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

 

A) I don’t really know. You would have to ask them. But what I have noticed is that the more personal I am, the broader I reach, which tells me that we are all not that different.

 

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

 

A) I read somewhere that “if a flower doesn’t grow, you don’t change the flower, you change the environment it lives in.” That was what I had to do and therefore the flowers

 

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

 

A) That is a very big question that I have tried to answer before, but I failed. One thing you should know though is that I see music in color. It is something called synesthesia and that plays a big part of the process

 

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

 

A) Very much, but as I don’t play an instrument I have to work very closely and trust my producer.

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your new album They Never Leave Their Wives?

 

A) Well, it is a record about being the “other woman.” I have been very quick to judge her before I became her against my will. I wanted to explore her side of the story.

 

Q) What songs on the album hold a special place in your heart? 

 

A) “Not Ok” is a song I felt I needed in my life. I love that song. It is about just that – allowing yourself to say that you’re not ok but you will be.

 

Q) What song challenged you the most to create?

 

A) “Miss Him Every Day” just having to admit that to myself – that I missed someone who had treated me like crap.

 

Q) What message do you hope listeners take away from this album as a whole?

 

A) That they’re not alone.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, have you been doing any livestream events?

 

A) No, I have not. I’ll wait. I miss seeing my audience live.

 

Q) What do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) Everything. I miss my band and I miss pushing my voice and just the vibe!

 

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

 

A) I don’t really think like that. If someone asks, then I’ll always consider.

 

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

 

A) A very varied list of music. It all depends on my mood. I have my own playlists on Spotify that I swear by “menaerkul” right now. I would do a throwback to 90’s hip hop and R&B like Toni Braxton and early Mariah Carey. It just makes me happy!

 

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

 

A) They get the story directly from me without going through the filter of someone that I failed to connect with. It’s giving me back my power and I love reading the reactions after live shows.

 

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

 

A) You saved my life! Thank you!!

 

 

Watch The Video for “You Broke Me”

 

Explore Album They Never Leave Their Wives