We recently connected with Maya Elizabeth and have shared our conversation below.
Maya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I write, record and perform thought-provoking music that soothes and inspires so you can connect more deeply with who you’re meant to be! Music has helped me on a journey of healing my self-image enough to be confident in my voice, embracing my authentic/imperfect self, and being vulnerable enough love and let others love me imperfectly.
My project, “Space To Fill,” like all of my work, comes right out of that journey. It includes a 4-song EP with minimal instruments; simple, sincere vocals; and a raw, introspective feel. I wrote this project in the beginning of learning and reflecting on healing my relationship with myself. It started in my quiet place of solitude. The songs are the prayers I prayed in emptiness & exhaustion–drained from performing and achieving for others’ attention, affirmation and applause. They’re the intentions I journaled. They’re from precious moments in conversation with my Creator–getting back to myself, my dreams and my purpose. They’re an offering of surrender to the process. And, maybe most importantly, “Space To Fill” is for YOU (the listener). It’s meant to be whatever you need in order to fill your lovely soul—because you weren’t designed to exist on E.
Maya, 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?
Sure! I’m Maya Elizabeth! I’m an artist, empath, girlboss, Howard U School of Business alum (2016 Valedictorian), and healthy living enthusiast.
I began songwriting when I was 6 years old as a way to process my thoughts and how I experience life. I grew up singing in church from the time I was about 11. When I was in college, while studying marketing, I simultaneously recorded my debut album–“Soulhouette: This Is M.E.”–which released in 2016. I’ve since worked professionally as a worship leader and an artist, singing across the States and beyond—from California to Las Vegas, to Nashville, to Maryland/DC, and even Puerto Rico. I’ll be performing in London at the end of October, which I’m super excited about!
In 2021, I released another project (the one I mentioned earlier) called “Space To Fill.” That consists of a 4-song EP, accompanied by a journal with prompts based on the lyrics, a candle and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process with a Commentary podcast. Fans have remarked, “Your journal and music for space to fill [helped] me break through some challenging spaces…” and, “I have had your project on repeat for the last 6 months. Everything about it speaks to me… Consider me knocking on your musical door asking for More, More, More Music from Maya.” You can find my music on all of your favorite streaming platforms and all of these items on my website.
My music helps soothe and inspire listeners to connect more deeply with who they’re meant to be! I create, record and perform music to help others experience healing, truth and love. If you need an artist to perform at your private gathering, event, venue, or conference, or a guest worship leader for your church service, please feel free to submit a request via the booking page at mayaelizabethmusic.com.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
We’ve face and continue to a face A LOT. The past few years have thrown us all off in many ways. I think society should see music as vital to our culture and our ability to thrive–survive, even. This profession, and all musicians provide to the world is as important as medicine, law, education, etc. Imagine enduring the pandemic, for example, without any music to listen to. Imagine having no concept of what artists process and help others process through melodies and lyrics? Music moves us. It brings us in touch with emotions and experiences we’d otherwise burry, to our detriment. It creates space for us to examine, evolve, sit still…Whatever we need. I wish society valued the cost of creating and releasing music, especially for independent artists, accordingly. I want fellow artists to value who they are, how they’re wired and what they contribute so highly (accurately, really) that they confidently charge what they’re worth. That raises the bar for us all, and society will have to respond with a new appreciation and willingness to pay artists more decently.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?
The reward is seeing something so meaningful to your own experience positively impact someone else’s. You never know if or how a song might resonate with a listener. You can imagine someone might connect with a story or a sentiment, but you never really know. The pleasant surprises, and the sense that what you’re doing is fulfilling and meaningful and bigger than just you. I once received a text: “[Your music} is so very beautiful. I had to stop what I was doing to listen to your words. [“Protection and Peace”] was written for me. It’s wonderful… I’m telling you that it made me stop what I was doing, sit down and take the time to hear… I listen to meditation music late at night and your song hit my soul in that special place.”
That’s what I find rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://mayaelizabethmusic.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mayaelizabethmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayaesings/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/mayaelizabethmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayaesings
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC8MffNgDZpNDO-jigBpZoYA
- Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/maya-elizabeth/443425492 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fLUKmYWltOl8ZIRBeKA4b?si=UfI-dU9eTGS7Zt_bQRKP0Q
Image Credits
Kent Edwards, CaughtByKent