We recently connected with Maya Lane and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maya, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Ever since I can remember I have had a passion for music (songwriting and performing). I was always the child putting on a show at family parties or events. In terms of songwriting, pouring my feelings into a song is naturally how I process, express my emotions and make sense of the world. A huge part of learning the craft and getting to where I am now (with still a lot to learn, but it a position that I’m happy with) has been through practise, learning from others and experimentation. Although Im only 20, I’ve spent years trying out different sounds, writing in different styles, playing hundreds of gigs some with and without a band to find out what worked for me. In music there is no one way to do it and I’ve loved witnessing the many different ways in which people get to essentially the same thing (a finished song).
Maya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Maya Lane, I’m a singer songwriter from London (UK). I am a dreamer, a foodie and have a slight vintage shopping obsession! As I mentioned before music has always been a huge passion of mine. I grew up listening to a wide range of music from rock to reggae, but it was the folk and country music of the 70s that really drew me in (artists like Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac). I started playing live at the age of 12, performing anywhere I could, restaurants, festivals, pubs, open mics and haven’t stopped since! Alongside playing live, I’ve been writing songs ever since I can remember. Writing creates a really safe and therapeutic space for me to express myself and connect with others.
I released my most recent single ’24F’ in august this year, which sets me off into this next chapter of releasing my music. I wrote the song about experiencing a moment that takes you back to a phase in your life that holds uncomfortable memories, but with hindsight you are able to look back on it and heal. The song uses the analogy of the plane to illustrate looking back on something from a different perspective. I decided to name the song ‘24F’ on the day we wrote it, (picking a random seat number of a plane) and almost two months to the day later, I got on a plane, got handed my boarding pass and it said ‘24F’, some might say a meaningless coincidence, but I took it as a little sign that I’m heading in the right direction.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
There are so many amazing and rewarding aspects of being an artist, I think the main one is being able to do something that I love everyday. It is truly so incredible to wake up and do what fulfils me, I never take that for granted. I also love the community of friends and followers music has brought me, being able to get up on stage and release music that is meaningful to me and to hear and see it connecting with others is really special.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I think one of the hardest lessons is letting go of the idea of perfection and connected with this is trying not to care too much about what other people think. I’ve come a long way with this but it’s something I’m always working on. I was bullied at school and whilst this experience fuelled my passion for making music, it also made me extremely self critical. I notice that I often strive to be perfect (what ever that means!) in my music, in the way I present myself, in how I come across and that can really hold you back. There have been times when I’ve been too sacred to put myself out there, whether that be posting a video on social media or talking to people at events, due to the fear of judgement or feeling that I wasn’t cool, clever or good enough. However, I’m learning this isn’t true and is only holding me back and limiting me! Everyone, their art and their journey is different and that’s what makes it all so beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mayalaneuk.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayalaneuk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayalaneuk/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayalaneuk
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2QI0xiLuasiXm-7ivmCkqA
- Other: Listen my music here: https://linktr.ee/mayalane
Image Credits
@shotbytony @melodyberkery