We recently connected with Maya Ikegami and have shared our conversation below.

Maya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

My first dollar earned as an artist was a small gig at a tea shop. This was summer 2023 and they were looking for local musicians to play outside. I practiced for hours trying to create an hour long set. I had to rediscover some of my own songs and relearn how to play them. Even though it was only playing on a patio at a tea shop, it was my first official gig all on my own. I had sung a few songs for my brothers band here and there, but was never paid. And I as all alone this time. I invited a lot of friends, my parents, a few people who had expressed interest in hearing me play. I was so nervous. I got all dressed up, brought all my own gear, guitar, amp, mic, speakers, and played for an hour. The seats were full of people I knew, so I talked a little between songs like I was at my own concert. There were some strangers at the shop as well, they seemed to enjoy it. I even got tipped by a few of them! I made $150, I was ecstatic.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Music is what I love the most. I was singing before I could form coherent words. There’s a vhs tape of me somewhere out there trying to steal the mic at my cousin’s wedding when I was three. My love for singing grew into a love for writing lyrics. I write often because I am moved to. I’m either feeling a big emotion that I need to process, dredging up the past, or something else just inspires me. When I make a song that I’m proud of, its one of the best feelings in the world. Showing it to others makes me nervous every time, but I love that too. I definitely want to perform more in the future. If I’m honest, I want to have a better collection of songs prepared before I try getting back out there. I’m always trying to improve my music and my lyrics, which sometimes means the songs take a while to emerge. I don’t make much money with music right now, but maybe that’ll change. I’d be happy just to have an audience. Right now I’m a full-time college student working on a degree and working part time as a barista. I’m in a little garage band, and we’re hoping to start playing shows this summer which I am super excited for!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Supporting local artists is so important. Artists need community. I think we should all support artists to our best ability. This might be opting to buy something locally made over a mass produced item. This could look like going to a donation-based punk show and donating a few dollars. It could mean sharing a song from a small artist you like with your friends. I understand it can be difficult it is to devote time, money, or energy into these things, but when you can it always feels great.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding thing about being an artist is hearing what my art means to other people. Whether its someone I know, or a stranger from an open-mic. To hear my own words sung back to me by someone I love, that’s the greatest gift. I dream of having a room full of people sing my song with me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: maygami.music
• Other: I go by Maya Ikegami on Spotify and Apple music. I also have a song out called Collecting https://open.spotify.com/track/7nNRr3I4SNbesgYuRBMnun?si=42e4fffb0d4c426c