Chicago-born, LA-based Maya Ixta is a force to be reckoned with. With a passion for music ignited at a young age, she's already made waves in the industry, being named the youngest to complete NYU's Clive Davis Institute program. But Maya's talents don't stop at music – she's also an accomplished actress with credits on Apple TV+, Disney+, and the CW. And as if that wasn't enough, she founded HeARTS of Maya in 2016, a non-profit awarding scholarships to young artists.
This year, Maya dropped two stellar singles, 'Count One It's Me' and the bilingual 'Time', leading up to her highly anticipated EP 'Diary Entries' due this Autumn. Her latest release, 'Say You're Mine', is an empowering pop anthem about standing strong in the face of heartache. With its catchy melody and relatable lyrics, it's no wonder the track has been on repeat for fans worldwide.
We recently caught up with Maya to chat about 'Say You're Mine', her creative process, and what's next on the horizon.
It’s great to be able to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
"I started writing when I was 8 years old with the help of coaches in the industry. I have always loved journaling, so a lot of my song ideas came from my journal. For the last couple of years, I have been writing about very personal topics. I have also evolved in my artistic growth from teen to young adult. I mostly write pop/alternative tracks and I write in Spanish too. I love to incorporate my Spanish language into my music. I try to experiment with different genres as well because I'm always discovering new elements that I like to incorporate into my music."
Can you tell us a bit about your latest project and what it means to you?
"'Say You’re Mine' is an angsty pop track that explores some soft and belting moments in the vocals. The song features lots of background vocals, with harmonies and vocal stacks. It's a song that you can shout to whenever you're mad, and also vibe with when having fun."
"I wrote the song in my room and then played it for my producer. From there, we started crafting more structure, getting scratch vocals, and making a demo. Then, we worked on cutting the vocals and fully producing the whole song. I was very involved, I was present to Comp all vocals and heard all the versions of the song before sending it to get mastered in its final form. It was an amazing experience, and I'm so thankful to Jolene Belle and her husband Joachim Svare for helping me bring this song to life!"
Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the project?
"The funny thing is that this song is about an experience I heard through a friend. I was on Facetime with my best friend at the time, and she vented about all of her guy problems. I was happy that I wasn’t dealing with all that, but I also wanted to live through her and write a song about everything I would’ve told this guy that was being rude to my friend."
What is your songwriting process? How does it all come together?
"When I’m writing a song, it’s more about what comes to me. Many times, I sing out or hum melodies before I even play them on the piano, so I’ll then figure out chords and take it from there. I also focus on where my voice takes me. Sometimes lyrics and melodies happen simultaneously so I really pay more attention to where the song is taking me. It’s a very personal process and it works for me!"
What’s the most important thing when you’re writing a song?
"Each time I write a song, it’s exciting because the process is different every time. I find new ways to convey what I’m saying or learn how to use different parts of my voice when recording in the studio or my room at home. There is always something to create so it’s a constant learning process."
How would you describe the sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
"'Say You’re Mine', starts with a slow-burning, vocal-forward melody. The song starts quietly and timidly, but as the message of standing in your power and breaking out of society’s mould begins to build, so does the instrumentation around it."
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
"I remember getting off the call with my friend and being so mad at this guy that was being so awful to her. I used that to fuel the writing of the song. I'm telling this guy everything I would have told him if I was in my friend's shoes. No one should let themselves be disrespected. The track builds to the prominent refrain of “But you never call me back / so don’t call me up one day and say you’re mine.” The perfect ending to a story about letting go of what’s expected and, instead, living for yourself."
What advice would you give to bands and artists who are just starting out and trying to find their sound?
"Perseverance is everything! I'm very thankful that I’ve surrounded myself with good people because having a strong support system is so important. Align yourself with people who are passionate about your art. Sometimes, those people are not necessarily the most recognized in the industry but are very passionate about music. Also, allow yourself to evolve as an artist. This industry is ever-evolving, and I am also growing as a person with it. This industry is full of possibilities if you have dedication, perseverance, and a hard work ethic."
What has been your best moment as a musician or band so far?
"I started performing again after Covid restrictions were lifted. I performed “Say You're Mine '' and I asked the audience to sing the last part of the song with me. When it came time for them to sing the verse with me, they sang it loudly and perfectly and hearing people sing a song I worked so hard on during COVID-19 was amazing! I wrote this song on my couch near the window in my bedroom on my ukulele and I never thought other people would ever hear that song. It was one of the most rewarding moments I’ve had on stage."
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience?
"Yes! I’m releasing an E.P later this year that I’m really excited about titled 'Diary Entries'. One of my goals is to make this EP the best it can be, especially because I’ve had this idea for a really long time. I can’t wait to see it come to life. I’m also releasing more bilingual (Spanish) singles this year and working on expanding to the Spanish-speaking market."
"Please follow me for more exciting projects coming up!"
'Say You’re Mine' is a tender, slow-burning, vocal-forward melody inspired by artists like Billie Eilish. Even with her subtle inspirations woven into the track, Maya is in a tier of her own. The song starts quietly and timidly, but as the message of standing in your power and breaking out of society’s mould begins to build, so does the instrumentation around it.
Produced alongside veteran artist, Joleen Bell, the track builds to pulsating drums, languid bass, and a prominent refrain of “But you never call me back / so don’t call me up one day and say you’re mine.” It's the perfect ending to a story about letting go of what’s expected and, instead, living for yourself.
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