We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maia Mohammadi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My latest project is my most meaningful work to date. I am currently rolling out my sophomore EP – “So Far So Lost.” This EP is a true reflection of the times. Each song explores a modern issue that many of us have been living through (particularly since 2020). It covers everything from misinformation and late stage capitalism to culture wars and the general chaos of our lives. I’m really excited about this project because it is also the first time I’m bringing in my persian culture to my music. Three of the songs on this project bring authentic persian instrumentation to the world of modern pop (with two being bilingual). It’s an ode to my two identities: American and Iranian. I’ve always felt like I had one foot in each, never really knowing where I belonged. These songs are my way of creating that space sonically, for anyone who has ever felt the same. “Never Be The Same” is the first single off of the EP, and it features the incredible Grammy Award winning Tar player Sahba Motallebi. The lyric video (on youtube) features two Persian dancers dressed in black and white – a reflection of how absolutist social media can be when it comes to perspective and the truth. Nuance has been lost on us and this song is an existential look at how dangerous this can be (as we are more divided than ever before). This song is just unbelievable, it’s every emotion at once – beautiful, haunting, and all-consuming. Anyone who is a fan of cinematic orchestral pop (with a middle eastern twist) will love it. There are some really exciting releases coming out this year as a part of the EP and I don’t think any one of us are ready haha.

Maia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Iranian American singer songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. I’ve had songs featured by NIKE, the FAST AND THE FURIOUS franchise and NBC. Most people have compared my sound to Sia, Bishop Briggs, and Pink but with a middle eastern twist.

In 2023, I released a collaboration called In The Name Of God with another amazing Iranian artist – Sanaz. It was written for the people of Iran and their fight for basic human rights. Women in Iran are not allowed to sing or dance, show their hair, or interact with anyone of the opposite sex publicly so we felt that writing a song in English would allow us to share their fight for freedom with the world. It has been featured on Iranian International TV, was translated live on Radio Hamrah (the largest Iranian radio station in Los Angeles), and has been added to the official Spotify playlist “Women of Iran” alongside Snoh Aalegra and Sevdaliza. Fans have called it “tragically beautiful” and “a song that will record history.” When we first wrote this song we never realized how much this message would translate to the world. The exploitation of religion to take away human rights and women’s bodily autonomy is something we have seen far too often as of late.

I’m so excited to share my sophomore EP “SO FAR SO LOST” – a bilingual alternative pop/persian fusion record that is super timely and cathartic for anyone who has felt the chaos of our lives more than ever before. Bringing old world persia to new world pop is just so cool to me and it also allows me to create a space for anyone who has ever felt caught between to worlds. I never really felt like I was Iranian enough or American enough to find my place – instead I’m creating one, something completely new for all of us.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best way to support artists is to stay engaged – share their work, come to their shows (and bring friends!), buy their merch, subscribe to their social channels and Patreons. Everything an indie artist does is self-funded (and it costs a lot to keep creating high quality music, shows, and content) so if you love what they do and want more of it those are the best ways to help make it happen. Nothing is possible without the support of dedicated fans and I always try to remind mine that they are apart of this journey – the most important part. Community is everything, especially during trying times like this. I also love when fans actually tell me what they like the most about what I do – it’s really important in helping me figure out what I want to share next.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Ultimately with my music and generally as an artist I really want to change the narrative around what people associate the middle east with. So many times we’re focused on the politics of the region but there is so much beautiful art, history, language, and culture that I want the whole world to see and get the chance to experience for themselves. I’m fascinated by the thousands of years that exist within the region of the world my parents came from – Iran/Persia. It is a place that has birthed some of the greatest poets of all time, and stories that have lived through centuries. I grew up here in the states during the height of 2000s Pop and the artists that have really stayed with me beautifully bring who they are into their music. I think of Hozier, who’s homeland is heard in every rephrased psalm. Of Florence who has created timeless symphonic songs through her most painful memories. And of Bastille, who brings ancient stories to life with every breathtaking word. I want to create a world with my music that brings together both parts of me, and show people what Persia is beyond what we see on our tv and phone screens – because it is magnificent. Ultimately we all want the same things, and I think if people can see this part of the middle east more – they’ll realize we are not so different after all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maiamoham.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maiamoham.music/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maiamoham/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszQAgG-yQN18eckwbpISkw