We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maybear. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maybear below.

Alright, Maybear thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started writing short little nonsensical songs as a kid and growing up, I taught myself vocal techniques and grew into my own vocal style, then picked up songwriting again in college. Currently, I’m songwriting, strengthening my voice for performing, and spending more time producing my own songs using Logic. If I could go back in time, I would minor in music to learn composition, audio engineering, and production. All other ways I could’ve sped up the learning process of my craft stems from my anxiety about putting myself out there, being vulnerable in front of others. More important than mixing skills or getting the perfect take for a recording, is holding my music with a sense of joy and curiosity, rather than self-judgment for not being ‘good enough’. Accessing this lately has helped me a lot to improve my work ethic, learning new production skills, and has allowed me to write more upbeat songs, which I am having a lot of fun with.

Maybear , 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?

Hi everyone! I’m Maybear, I’m a singer-songwriter raised in the Bay Area, living in San Diego, (but moving back to the Bay Area next month)! I make mainly indie rock/indie pop songs, and I’m super excited about my upcoming R&B projects too because the genre is very near and dear to my heart as well. My current inspirations (songwriting/genre/vocalists) are Raveena, Tennis, Eliza McLamb, and SZA. I perform in bars, cafes and venues all around SD, and am a Musical Director for Izola Bakery in downtown, running live music every other Saturday. I’m super proud to have produced and released all my songs from mine and my best friend’s bedrooms! It shows me and other artists that we don’t need expensive studios to make some kick ass music! I plan on making great connections in the Bay Area to collaborate with on songs, and DIY shows!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives sometimes underestimate how meaningful it is when they show up to their creative friend’s thing, whether it be a concert, or an open mic, or a gallery. Art is connection. The artist to their art to their loved ones to the world. I mostly believe this: Art is meant to be shared and it’s the most meaningful when shared with loved ones. Showing up to your friend’s show is telling them, ‘I want to see you, I want to hear you, I rolled off my couch or left work early for this because you and your art make an impact on me’.

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

In this current state of society, we need to be politically active: pressuring our representatives toward policies that support equity such as universal healthcare, free college, and affordable housing. We can also support our local musician friends by spreading the word about them, buying merch, packing out shows, crowdfunding projects, and streaming. It’d be cool too if exploitative platforms like spotify were federally regulated to distribute better payouts to artists.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/maybearmusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maybear.wav/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCN1IQo0EtKWA2R_CBaeAXQ

Image Credits

Nahla Valdez, Ben Guenther, Taylor Futral, Makana Holgerson, Claire Alonso