Boston based singer-songwriter MAYA LUCIA shares her latest indie-pop single ‘ur ruining it !’, out now on all streaming platforms. The single is accompanied by a bright and bold music video.
Garage-Pop singer-songwriter MAYA LUCIA is the queen of hearts. Having spent the last five years bouncing between the Pacific and the Atlantic, the Minneapolis native pulls DIY sounds from both sides of the coast. Her distinctive vocal styling and angst-ridden lyrics effortlessly float between punk, pop, and surf-rock. Linking with bandmates Samuel Stroup (drums), James Duncan (bass), and Molly Pope (lead guitar) while attending school in Boston, MAYA established herself through punchy live shows and magnetic stage presence. Her next EP is due Spring 2022.
Speaking of the music video, MAYA says, “Jack (Campise) and I have worked together previously on my music video for ‘sadgirl (rip moviepass)’. We met our freshman year of college before I transferred schools and have been friends ever since. Together, we created the idea of a reunion of sorts after the pandemic. We drew from the film Boogie Nights and their use of tracking one-takes to create the flow in the music video. A lot of our close friends were part of the music video and doubled as cast and crew mates, which made it very special.”
Produced remotely over lockdown, each part of the track was recorded in the bedrooms of MAYA’s bandmates, with her vocals being created in a closet under a staircase, which gives a gritty authentic feel to the song that amplifies the lyrics and feelings in MAYA’s vocals.
Speaking of the track, MAYA says, “The song comes with a lot of power. The lead chorus line is telling the person who upset me their ruining our any possibility of a relationship with me. Musically, though, it’s playful and fun. When you analyze the song, I think it can feel a little heavy – quite the opposite of the way it feels when you listen to it – but my take away for my listeners is to know your worth and value.”
Growing up surrounded by music, MAYA’s dad would come home with CD’s from artists of all genres. She started learning piano as a child. From there, she got into guitar and wrote songs through that instrument. “To me, the guitar feels limitless. I performed a lot in high school and in coffee shops, and a few years into college, I met my bandmates. Samuel (Stroup), my drummer, has been with me the longest and I began writing songs that he would have fun playing to. I wanted the music to be loud, so that’s how my songwriting developed into what it is today.”
Tell us about MAYA LUCIA!
Hi! I’m Maya! I’m an indie rock/pop artist. I’ve been writing music since I can remember. I’m originally from Minneapolis, but spent the last few years bouncing between the East and West Coast. I draw from the coastal sounds of the cities I lived in. My bandmates include James Duncan (bass, production), Melisande “Molly” Pope (lead guitar), and Samuel Stroup (drums).
What inspired this single?
I kept getting caught in similar situations with people where I was investing too much time and mental energy into them. They would do these 180s from horribly hurting me to being the best human in the world. It was an emotional rollercoaster. My friends knew about it every step of the way. So when the people I was involved with would do this, it felt like they were ruining the chance of being part of my life.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
My environment is a major source of inspiration. Music I’m listening to, people I’m interacting with, and media I consume all influence what I write about. I’ll make up stories or exaggerate things to create stories or draw from my anxieties about “what-ifs.” It all plays a role.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the track?
We were all scattered across the US when we recorded the track. It was all done over lockdown. I remember doing the vocals in a closet under a staircase. There wasn’t a light or anything, so I was just in the dark for like 2-3 hours working on vocal takes.
Tell us about the music video and the idea behind it ?
The idea behind it was a big reunion. The director – Jack Campise – and I came up with the idea while we were deep into lockdown. We took inspiration from the tracking shots in Boogie Night and the 70s aesthetic. Our friends were part of the cast and crew and it was
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
I don’t think I can contribute it to just one record. It depends on what I’m listening to. It’s always been like that for me. I got really into Hole’s “Live Through This” album this summer. I also re-listened to Worn-Tin’s “Cycles,” and Nilufer Yanya’s “Miss Universe.” I started looking at their songwriting structures. I can’t say anything I’ve written recently sounds like any of the artists I listed, but their music inspired my creativity.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I really love JPEGMAFIA. I’m inspired by his art and the boundaries he pushes. He isn’t afraid to go with his vision. He’s an amazing performer, too. Definitely a dream collaboration of mine.
Any future projects?
Lots going on at the moment! We have an EP that’s coming out in the spring. And we’re working on some new merch, a few music videos, and an EP of remixes of “ur ruining it !”. I’ve been writing a lot lately, so there’s an additional EP in the works already. Planning a small tour for February and hopefully some festivals, too.
Top 3 dream collaborations?
There are so many musicians and artists I look up to. It’s hard to pick a few! I got really into Kim Gordon over the summer. I highly recommend checking out her solo work. Creating with her would be a dream. My friend Brennan Wedl is an incredible artist. I’m dying to work with her at some point. I grew up listening to a lot of Wilco and would love to work with them someday. I’d be so shy about collaborating with anyone I listed off, especially since I write alone.
What does music mean to you?
It’s difficult to articulate what music means to me. Creating music is extremely bizarre. Sometimes I listen to an old song and I genuinely do not know how I made it. Just the process, you kind of go somewhere else. Intentionally listening to music feels like that too. It’s so rewarding to create and work with other people. You learn about yourself and others from it. It’s special to me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
It’s a mix of east coast and west coast DIY. We settled on calling ourselves “Garage-Pop” which gives me the mental image of a pop diva playing indie rock.
