An Interview With The Rising Singer-Songwriter MAETA!

Meet the Los Angeles based 19-year-old singer-songwriter Maeta!

She recently unveiled the video for “Payback” which is the third video in the series from her debut EP Do Not Disturb that will be released each Monday dubbed #MaetaMondays. The video for “Payback,” follows Maeta in the aftermath of her boyfriend cheating on her and how she rediscovers her confidence through the support of her friends and a makeover. “You Lie,” the first video in the series, sets the stage with Maeta suspecting that her boyfriend might be hiding something, while the next video “Press Play,” shows Maeta realizing what her boyfriend might be hiding. Each of the remaining videos to be released unveils a new layer of the relationship and personal journey for Maeta.

Maeta’s vision as an artist starts to unfold with each song on her 2019 debut EP Do Not Disturb – PRESS HERE to listen. When discussing the inspiration behind her debut EP, Maeta says “my music makes me feel sexy, confident, and empowered. That’s the vibe I want to share with everyone.”

Maeta first stole the hearts of fans when she began releasing new music through weekly releases on her SoundCloud. Capturing the ears of fans and industry legends alike, Maeta was discovered via her covers that she uploaded on YouTube and IG. Since then, she has been hard at work in the studio with Diane Warren, James Fauntleroy, Mustard, Shea Taylor (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Janet Jackson, Chris Brown etc.), Fred Ball (Rihanna, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Eminem, Mariah Carey), and The Orphanage (Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Alessia Cara) to name a few.

Connect With Maeta Online Here:
 Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify

Learn more about Maeta in the following All Access interview:

When it comes to your music, what are you most excited for this year? How has 2020 been treating you so far?

I just finished working on new music, and am so so excited to put it out. I only have one project out right now so it will be refreshing to give everybody something new, and even better than the first one. 

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be a musician? What do you think motivates you day in and day out? How has that changed over the years?

I remember watching VH1 top 20 countdown every morning as a kid, that’s what inspired me to be a singer. I wanted to sing and make videos like everybody i saw. I started doing covers at like 7 years old and started posting them when I was like 13. That never changed and has gotten me where I am today 

How do you think your hometown has influenced the kind of music that you make? If not, why is that? 

Growing up, all of my friends and the people around me at school listened to a lot of rnb. I’ve always loved it. I’ve always known that’s what I wanted to do and now I’m doing it 

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Was your family and friends supportive of this career choice? If you weren’t a musician today, could you see yourself doing anything else?

Music has been my thing my whole entire life. I’ve always been the singer, whether it’s with my family or at school, it’s been what everybody has known me as. People have  always been supportive, but they honestly had to be because there was nothing I was going to do other than this lol. I had my mind set since I was a kid. But if I weren’t singing, I’d probably be doing something with animals. 

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all? What has been the best part?

I think every day is a surprise when it comes to music. I never know what is going to happen or who I’ll be with, it all kind of just happens randomly. Nothing ever goes as planned and that’s one thing I’m still trying to get used to.  

The best part of all of this so far has been the people though. I’ve met so many people I can now call my closest friends and I wouldn’t have without music. 

Can you talk about how your newest single “Payback” came together exactly? What was the inspiration for it? 

Payback is a song I did with Starrah and Murda Beatz. It’s one of the favorites off the EP. It’s about pettiness and the games you play in a relationship. 

What was it like making the music video for “Payback”? How creatively involved with the making of it were you?

Payback was really fun to shoot. It was in a hair salon, I had hired actresses there to play my friends, I had to act for the first time which was so weird for me. I always thought I’d be so good but I knew in that moment I definitely needed some work lol. 

How do you think “Payback” prepares listeners for more music from you? How does it compare to others in your debut EP “Do Not Disturb”?

All of the songs from my EP are a little bit moody, so I think it fits in. But it’s one of the few upbeat/bouncy ones so it stands out in that way. I think listeners should be ready for similar topics, but bigger songs in my upcoming projects. 

Did anything surprise you about the process of putting the EP together? What were the challenge?

Again, the biggest challenge was probably the unexpectedness of it all. It was supposed to come out in the summer and ended up dropping in November. But the whole process was amazing, it’s my first project since I came to LA and I’ve grown sooo much in the process. I feel like a whole different person now. 

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started making music? 

I’ve definitely gotten better all around. I’ve taken in different things and ideas from everybody that I’ve worked with and have a broader knowledge on music now. But there’s still a LOT more to grow.  

How do you feel about social media? What do you think social media has done for your career so far? 

Social media is a gift and a curse lol. It helps a lot with being an artist, but can be so bad for your mental health. I want to delete my Instagram like once a week. But I wouldn’t be where I am right now though if it weren’t for Instagram, or posting covers, or connecting with people online. Or maybe I would I don’t know. 

What is your favorite way to connect with fans?

Instagram lives! I love doing them so much. I’ve made actual friends with some of my fans on there and it’s so fun when I’m bored. Or when I’m emotional lol 

What musicians would you absolutely love to work with in the future? 

Sza, Tame Impala, and James Fauntleroy 

Who has been inspiring you and the music that you make?

Right now I’ve been inspired by all the bs I’m going through. I’m kind of experiencing heartbreak for the first time and all I want to do is cry in the studio about it lol. 

Where would you love to hear a song of yours played? 

Anywhere on the radio of course, and maybe at one of my old jobs so I can show them how far I’ve come lol. 

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I hope my music makes people want to cry, makes them angry, makes them feel sexy, or just anything. I have a song for every emotion and I hope people can do the same with my music.