A Musical Mystic: Maya J Showcases Her Creative Versatility in Latest Single “Chills”

Maya J brings a myriad of skills from her background as a violinist, actress and songwriter that showcase in thoughtful production of “Chills.”

follow our Today’s Song(s) playlist

Stream: “Chills” – Maya J

I think it’s my most soulful piece, and I’m built for this. I definitely feel like I was right on target with decisions in the midst of production.

Often times creative lanes will overlap and intertwine.

Art, literature, music, and theatre all connect through their ability to tell stories – whether open for interpretation or literal. There can be many unspoken messages through visuals, while other pieces tell a story through objectivity. One field of “art” can connect to many others. Much like an assembly line, artistic expression takes many moving parts to tell a story.

For Maya J, exposure to the arts wasn’t anything new. Growing up in a performing arts community, she was exposed to the likes of violin, acting, and music.

“I’m a chick with a big belief in music, film, and the arts all around,” she tells Atwood Magazine. “I’ve been around for about 11 years now in the entertainment world, from teenagerhood all the way to now…”

Maya J shows great passion for the arts, especially in recognizing its impact on her life. She has developed an acting career, being involved in the short film “MUTED” and been featured on Freeform. The violin was her first learned instrument and has helped build a base for all her music knowledge as well.

Every step Maya J has taken in the performing industry has helped her to get to where she is today. “Chills” is just a sweet taste of what her future music will look like. With tantalizing production and developed vocals, Maya J brings her versatility in one piece.

“Everything that I’ve done musically since 2016 has led me to this moment of having ‘Chills.'”

In an interview with Atwood Magazine, Maya J tells us more about her start in the arts, what brought her to produce “Chills,” and ultimately who she is.

— —

:: stream/purchase Chills here ::

:: connect with Maya J here ::

Maya J © Ryan West Photo — Maya J © Ryan West

A CONVERSATION WITH MAYA J

ATWOOD MAGAZINE: Hi Maya, how’s your day been? Has it been busy, or have you been able to have a restful day?

Maya J: Yes, so hectic. Well, I can sleep when I’m dead, so I’m definitely about just enjoying this busyness as swamped as it is.

I completely understand. Well, first of all, congratulations on releasing “Chills.” I bet it’s just super exciting. I can imagine that definitely adds a little bit more to your schedule.

Maya J: Yes, most definitely. Thank you so much.

Yeah! I just love the musicality; it showcases your mix of skills and background. Tell me more about your artistic evolution - I know you have a background in playing violin and acting, so I want to hear about that.

Maya J: Well, I think everything that I’ve done musically since 2016 has led me to this moment of having “Chills.” I love the piano that was played on it and the different instrumentation. I think it’s my most soulful piece, I’m kind of built for this. I definitely feel like I was right on target with decisions when I was in the midst of production.

What was the process in making this? I know you worked with Jacob McLaughlin. Can you tell me about your process and ideation in creating “Chills”?

Maya J: Yes, absolutely. It was a process of real collaboration between me and Jacob, because after I taught him the song it came into the imagination with how I envisioned—because the song was written in this style. Jacob understood the beat, and he understood where to take it sonically. I really feel like with all the extra bells and whistles that I wanted—again, the piano, amazing. The bass is just really—it’s a little different. It’s interesting. It’s something that I haven’t done before. I want people to vibe with it.

There are a lot of times where I realize, no, my storytelling is what makes a lot of lyrics connect and be truly poetic.

Yeah, you definitely see a more symphonic, almost theatrical side mixed with your vocals, and I think it’s a really cool combination. Remind me, when did you get started in the creative industry?

Maya J: I’m a chick with a big belief in music, film, and the arts all around. I’ve been around for about 11 years now in the entertainment world, from teenagerhood all the way to now. I’ve been working hard, beating my rounds in music and acting. I’ve been making records independently and releasing them under my label’s banner, Glitter Rain Entertainment. I’ve written music for television shows, and I’ve had small roles up until people decided to give me a little cred more and learn about me, so that’s cool.

How would you say something like acting has affected or shaped your musicianship?

Maya J: Even though they both breathe lives of their own and they have their own special places in my mind and my soul, I do feel like they each complement each other. There are a lot of roles that involve music. There are a lot of times where I realize, no, my storytelling is what makes a lot of lyrics connect and be truly poetic, but I think that it all goes hand in hand.

I really love that storytelling aspect. When you look at your songwriting on this piece, what did you aim to capture?

Maya J: Well, I think “Chills” is straight up about the boo in your life. In most relationships, you can find a hint or two of complication, and you’ll find a quippy lyric in there, because there are definitely some spicy lyric moments in “Chills.” At the end of the day, with relationships, chills are all you really pay attention to, or at least many people. It’s like a love song with added spiciness. That’s pretty much the inspo. Of course, my tonality and the chord structure is just another piece of something composition-wise that I always want to sound really pretty. I hope that I was able to really do that in the eyes of other people, because I always love writing melodies that are going to make you say, “Oh, this is soft, this is pretty, this is…” melodies are a big part of what I do.

At the end of the day, with relationships, chills are all you really pay attention to, or at least many people. It’s like a love song with added spiciness.

Did you do anything differently on this song than you’ve done before? What about with your vocals?

Maya J: I’m so glad you brought that up because I feel like the difference in my voice is mainly just growth and seasoning. When you’ve been singing for years and years, your voice just naturally just grows with the wisdom that you have in music, or the musical experience can be heard in your voice. Other than that, I did consciously make an effort to do as many ad-libs as I wanted. I’m always—people joke with me like “how many ad-libs are you going to have in your song?” And then they say—Maya’s like—“yes.” I know that I love ad-libs in tons of tracks and songs, you know, that’s part of my style but for this I definitely let go completely and let my voice do whatever it wanted to.

That’s really cool to hear about. With instrumentation, I know you have a background in violin. How many years did you play the violin for?

Maya J: I have played violin for 80% of my life. I was eight when I started, so—well, seven, eight when I started, so it’s been a while. I was always in orchestra, competition, solo and ensemble, all of that. I have done solos for my orchestra, and I’ve been in art school since the sixth grade and then through high school. It’s been a pretty long time.

In terms of new releases or live performances what are you thinking for that in the future?

Maya J: I have a few plans right now that I am still working out with the team and still mumming the word, but I will shout it out from the rooftops when there is a performance or a show or even when “Chills” ends up in something, another project I’m doing. So, whatever happens, I will tell you about it. Okay.

Have you done a lot of live performances before?

Maya J: You know what? So far in my music career, I’ve been a little bit obscure, and I’ve performed a couple of places that have been pretty major for me, but just on the regular, I have not done any touring.

Everybody has to start somewhere. Either way, it’s just another step closer to where you want to be. On a final note, what do you want people to know about Maya J?

Maya J: I want to be viewed and remembered in my life as an artist, really, as a person who loves the art first. And there’s so much in this industry that’s about, you know, fame, but everything is not about brand deals and photo shoots. All of that stuff is amazing, but the art is at the helm of it. The music and the melody and the production and the work is what matters—it’s the story. When you watch a movie, you’re feeling something and I want people to feel emotion when they hear. Whether it’s good emotion or a little bit of depth, I will help to create feeling. Artists create feeling. And I want to do all of the things that I do with as much kindness and class as possible, even though no one’s perfect. So that’s what I want people to know.

I think it’s really cool that you have that perspective, because you know what it’s about—bringing people together through storytelling. I enjoyed hearing about it. I don’t have any other questions but if there’s anything else you’d like to talk about, or anything else you’d like to share, feel free to!

Maya J: Oh, my goodness, I think we covered so much great stuff. My next single has violin that I’ve played in it, which is the first single that you’ll hear me playing violin on. So, it’s got a cool artistic fusion. I’m excited to release that one.

And when are you planning to release your next single?

Maya J: Right now, it’s slated for March and the exact date will be on my Instagram shortly.

We’ll be on the lookout for sure. Congratulations and good luck with everything!

Maya J: Thank you so much again and I’m so glad that you had me here.

Of course, I hope you have a good rest of your day.

Maya J: Enjoy, same to you!

— —