Name: Maya Lane
Nationality: British
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Current release: Maya Lane's new single "Heart for a Heart" is out via 7 Sister.

If you enjoyed this Maya Lane interview and would like to know more about her music, visit her official homepage. She is also on Instagram, Soundcloud, tiktok, and Facebook.
 


Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in your voice and singing? How and when did you start singing?

Music has always been a huge passion of mine. As a child I was always putting on shows and performing for my family, friends and anyone who would listen.

I grew up listening to a wide range of music from rock to reggae. But the genres that really stuck with me were the folk and country music, especially from the 70s. Artists like Joni Mitchell really encouraged me to experiment and find my voice, literally and lyrically.



I started taking singing lessons and performing properly at the age 12.

What were some of the main challenges in your development as a singer/vocalist? Which practices, exercises, or experiences were most helpful in reaching your goals – were there also “harmful” ones?

I grew up performing classical music and while it taught me the correct technique and gave me confidence in my vocal ability (in terms of range and flexibility), I did find the transition into a more contemporary style of singing a little harder. Around the age of 13 I went on a journey, with my incredible vocal coach, of diving in and  discovering my own voice as a contemporary artist.

In terms of practices, I think creating a good warm up routine is definitely really helpful, whether this be a pre gig warm up or just a routine you do to practice. One of my favourite exercises is doing vocal sirens.



What kind of musical settings and situations do you think are ideal for your own voice?

I love singing in all types of venues, and being able to challenge and test my voice out in different settings is so much fun.

As I mainly play acoustic sets (accompanied by my guitar) I love intimate gigs. I’m currently on my own Living Room Tour, where I’m playing acoustic unplugged shows in peoples living rooms or local venues.

Being able to experiment with my voice/ performance and play around with dynamics in all the different settings without a microphone has been really interesting.

When you're writing song lyrics, do you sense or see a connection between your voice and the text? Does it need to feel and sound “good” or “right” to sing certain words? What's your perspective in this regard of singing someone else's songs versus your own?

When I’m writing, the melody and the lyrics often form at the same time.

I’m a real lyrical lover and love to create vivid storylines in my songs, creating a melody that feels effortless and supports this is really important. I often find that a certain vowel or word will sound best in a melody and try to lean into this as much as possible, to make it feel as natural for me and the listener.

For example, in my new single ‘Heart For A Heart’ the melody is slightly relentless, to mimic the feeling of distress and the emotions in the song.


Maya Lane Interview Image (c) the artist

Strain is a particularly serious issue for many vocalists. How do you take care of your voice? Are the recipes or techniques to get a damaged voice back in shape?

I’m naturally a very talkative person, so I often have to remind myself to be quiet so I don’t overuse my voice. I think like anything, taking care of your voice can be pretty simple and perhaps not as glamorous as people hope.

For me I’ve found one of the most important things I can do to help my voice and make sure it’s in its best condition is getting good sleep! Staying hydrated, not drinking alcohol or fizzy drinks, not eating dairy and making sure my voice is properly warmed up before singing, are all simple things I do to keep it feeling its best.

Motherese may have been the origin of music, and singing is possibly the earliest form of musical expression, and culture in general. How connected is the human voice to your own sense of wellbeing, your creativity, and society as a whole?

My voice and being able to express my emotions through it, is so important to me and is something that I have found extremely therapeutic.

It’s really special to be able to connect with others through song and words.