Shot by Tevin Baker
MAYCE releases her first single since her rebrand launch and is ready to open up about how it feels to release music since her exit from record label, EMPIRE and her long-term management. A seasoned artist, highly-respected vocalist, songwriter, notable and coveted live performer, MAYCE decides on “The Man That I Met” for her debut track drop.
This is your first single after rebranding. What can we expect from the new MAYCE?w
You can expect new music, new fashion, new visuals, a new outlook on life, and a bit more growth from the last time I’ve come out with music. I really feel like I’m in a brand new era with this rebrand and I’m fully stepping into my light and my most authentic self, so I feel the most myself. That is exactly what the people are going to get; just pure authentic MAYCE.
What prompted you to write this song?
When I was writing this song, I was sort of in a state of grief of losing a person in a relationship. I felt like the relationship ended so badly that I started to forget all of the good things that happened. I think during breakups there are some that are great and they’re fine, but a lot of my breakups have been very –not the greatest- and I definitely think this song came about because I was reminiscing on the “What if”. What if we were to stay together and fix everything? What if this could all be put to the side and we could make it work? I mean, there are so many complications when you break up with someone and so much trust you have to rebuild if you want to get back together, and I think I was just realizing that I had lost this person in my life, but I hadn’t lost the memories of that person. So I was making sure I wasn’t forgetting all the good things that happened, and that is just how this song came about.
One of the main themes here is relocating to Utah from a complicated life in LA. Care to expand?
Yeah, I was living in LA (I’ve been living in LA for ten years) and I moved to Utah during Covid and lived there for about two years. It was just such a completely different pace of life and I felt like I needed that break from a big city. I felt like I needed to be with myself, be in nature, and be with different people and just completely unplug from the crazy life I was living in LA. That is my dream life; living somewhere that’s very isolated like that but obviously under different circumstances than I was in, but it was an amazing time of my life. I created really amazing memories there, and a lot of inspiration has come from living there. It definitely was a shift, but it was a very good shift and a huge growth moment for me.
Your sound is highly influenced by western and alternative elements. What are some of your inspirations?
I’ve always loved the alternative and rock genre. I’ve always felt like the live instrument aspect of it was just so admirable, and then recently when I was living in Utah I was introduced to a more western genre. They both are huge inspirations in themselves, but some of my inspirations artist-wise… I would say Post Malone. When he goes into that really cool western or even rock vibe and blends genres together, that is just so cool to me and I’ll forever admire his artistry. I’m heavily influenced by him, he is a big inspiration and I hope to one day collaborate with him. I also love Alanis Morissette, I think her songwriting as well as vocal delivery is amazing. Another inspiration would have to be Dolly Parton; I love her songwriting and I think I channel her a lot, both being Capricorns (laughs). She is another big inspiration for me.
What are your plans for the future, artistically and personally?
My plans for the future artistically are to regularly release music, which is already happening and I’m so excited about, coming out with a full project and starting touring with that project. I’m dying to get back out on the road, I haven’t been back out on the road consistently really since Covid. I’ve had little one-off shows here and there, but it’s a different feeling when you’re on tour and doing consistent shows, so definitely looking forward to touring (That’s number one). Then personally, really focusing on myself right now! I love being alone. I think when you’re alone it gives you a whole other type of power that no one can really control or take away from you. You don’t belong to anyone, you don’t have to abide by any rules or worry about anyone else. I’m really just focusing on me and myself and just getting everything that I need to get together in order to fall in love with myself more and more- so definitely just being alone, being confident, and working my ass off and doing what I love!
