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

Maya , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

“Up Down & Around” has been one of the most meaningful projects I’ve created recently. The song was born in an unexpected moment: I was at the piano with someone close to me, listening to an R&B track on a winter night. I asked him to play it on the keyboard, he missed a note, but the melody he landed on attracted me. I took that accident as inspiration, spun it into my own melody, and began writing. From the start, the phrase ‘up, down, and around’ kept echoing in my head, reminding me of the constant cycle of people trying to fit in, wrestle with peer pressure, and search for themselves. At the time, I had just left the music conservatory where I’d studied for a year. It was a strange and uncertain chapter. I was supposed to be returning for a second year but instead found myself asking difficult questions, where would I go next? Would I pursue music full-time? Which opportunities should I take, and which should I let go? Life was moving at a million miles per hour, and at that age, it felt almost impossible to figure out who I was or what I wanted. That’s what made me want to write the song about identity, fear, and self-discovery.

I also saw many of my peers at school change themselves to fit in, sometimes neglecting their morals, sometimes losing their sense of self altogether. I had been in the same place, influenced by people who didn’t bring out the best in me. “Up Down & Around” became my first song about a relationship not with another person, but with myself. It was about being honest about the uncertainty, the spiraling, the losing and the finding of self. Since I’ve always loved fairytales and folklore, I tied the imagery to Alice in Wonderland. In the bridge, I sing: “I’m Alice in Wonderland, did somebody pull my hand? Falling and can’t understand what I want or who I am.” I wanted to capture the feeling of tumbling down a rabbit hole, spiraling when you don’t know what comes next, who you are, or whether you’re on the right path. It’s an experience I’ve seen in nearly everyone my age, the decision fatigue, the pressure, the endless questions of identity.

Recording the song felt like the beginning of a new chapter in my artistry. Up until then, I had mostly written about heartbreak or relationships with others. This was different, it was about me, my own journey, and my relationship with myself. It was vulnerable, and it set the stage for the next era of my music. Creating the music video took that vulnerability one step further. It was an uphill battle, people kept dropping out of the project, and at times it felt impossible to move forward. Everything fell onto my shoulders, and I had to persevere through setback after setback. However, eventually, the right team came together, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them. We built on my original Alice in Wonderland concept, playing with proportions (tiny furniture, oversized perspectives, shifting scales.) It captured the surreal feeling of being too big, too small, or completely out of place. Seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding.

The process wasn’t easy. At the same time, I was juggling recording sessions, working on other singles, prepping for school, and trying to protect my mental health, something I always make a priority no matter how busy life gets. In many ways, that period mirrored the themes of the song itself. I was being pulled in every direction, questioning myself, questioning my path, and yet still moving forward. That’s why “Up Down & Around” means so much to me. It began with a mistake on the keyboard, became a song about identity and self-discovery, and grew into a music video that pushed me to overcome obstacles I never imagined. It’s a project born from questions about who I am, where I’m going, and what kind of artist I want to be. For that reason, it will always feel like the start of something bigger.

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

I am Maya Rosalia, a singer, songwriter, and music producer, as well as a dedicated music student. I’ve always been a sponge for knowledge, eager to learn everything I can about music. School has helped me refine my craft, while being in the industry allows me to learn in real time, it’s an industry that is constantly shifting and evolving. I’ve released multiple singles, often string ballads. I love bittersweet, heart-wrenching songs that still carry an uplifting edge. My biggest inspirations are film scores and power ballads, music that transports you, that feels cinematic, that lets you escape and step into a different character. That connection to film ties into another love of mine, acting. Over time, I’ve incorporated my passion for film and performance into my music videos, which have become a central part of my artistry. While many artists live for the stage, my favorite part of releasing music is creating visuals. Often, when I’m writing a song, I already see the music video in my mind. Songwriting has been the heart of my journey from the very beginning. I started young, studying with Nashville artists, then diving into pop writing, and eventually developing into a songwriter who not only writes for myself but helps others with their craft as well. Writing has always been my constant and the part of music I feel most knowledgeable about. Others I’ve worked with have affirmed this, and while I know writing is always evolving, I’m proud of the level of experience I’ve built.

Production, on the other hand, is a newer path for me. I began my journey in early 2024, and it’s been exciting to step into this world. Being inspired by other female producers and collaborating with female audio engineers has been empowering and motivating. I’m very detail-oriented, and I love being hands-on with every stage of the process, from writing and recording to producing, conceptualizing music videos, and eventually releasing and distributing the music itself. Beyond my own artistry, I’m passionate about building supportive spaces for women in music. I recently launched a Women in Music program at my school to create a safe, empowering environment where we can uplift each other. This work is deeply meaningful to me, and I hope to integrate it even more into the brand and business I’m building for the future.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being a singer, songwriter, and music producer (though especially a singer-songwriter) has been one of the most rewarding paths I’ve chosen. Ever since I began releasing music at 12, the most meaningful part for me has always been the connection it creates. There’s nothing quite like hearing someone say, “Oh my gosh, I relate to this so much or are you writing about my life?” That feeling never gets old, and it happened to me just the other day. What I love most about songwriting is that it bridges people together. Music truly is a universal language. I’ve had listeners who love rap and hip-hop, others who are drawn to EDM, and even people who don’t typically listen to lyrics at all, yet they still find something in my music that resonates. That, to me, is the greatest reward, someone finding a piece of themselves in my songs, and feel seen or understood. As someone who loves connecting with people, being able to do that through music, the most personal thing I can share, feels like the best gift I could ever give or receive.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Oh my gosh, yes! there’s such a misconception about what it means to be a singer-songwriter. For some reason, people assume it doesn’t take much work, that songs and videos just appear out of thin air. What they don’t see is how relentless the work ethic has to be. I quite literally haven’t had a real day off since I started releasing music at 12. Sure, when I was in high school I had a “normal” teenage life, but music was always at the center, and outside of that all of my electives and audited classes were chosen with my career in mind. Choir, acapella, film, theater, dance, and everything connected to the arts. Even when I took English courses, I gravitated toward creative writing or poetry. From then on, it’s been about studying the craft, learning not only the art of music itself, but also the technology, the psychology, the business, and the marketing behind it. I may not be majoring in marketing strategy or data analysis, but in reality, I have to know those things, because as an artist, I’m also running my own business. Yes, talent plays a role, but what people don’t realize is how much discipline, strategy, and knowledge go into being a music artist. You have to be incredibly well-rounded, balance creativity with persistence, artistry with business sense, instinct with psychology. It’s hard work, but it’s also what makes this career so meaningful and powerful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: mayarosalia.music
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mayarosalia_?si=bf8di_opNVa-BKeh
• Other: Spotify, Apple Music: Maya Rosalia

Image Credits
Gina Maine Photography