Photographer : Shervin Lainez
Maisy Kay is a rising star in the music industry with a bold and fascinating new fresh voice in pop music. This singer-songwriter is transforming pop music into her own sub-genre of pop.
Congratulations on the upcoming release of your EP "Wonderlust: The Dusk"! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the title, how it differs from "Wonderlust: The Dawn", and what listeners can expect from the project?
Thank you! I have been calling Wonderlust: The Dusk, a nighttime sister to Dawn. It explores the deeper elements of a relationship, and the sound is darker and grittier. It’s slightly more alternative at times, which I feel is a nod to the darker sound of some of my older records. I think to get the full “Wonderlust” experience, you should listen to both Dawn and Dusk.
You toured with Tori Kelly on her world tour in Summer/Fall 2024. What was that experience like for you?
I’m currently just over halfway through the tour, and it’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve got to see so much of the country, and I toured Asia for the first time! Tori and her crew are also so sweet and welcoming, and have made the tour experience that much more enjoyable.
Your singles "Sunlight" and "In Your Car" have been receiving significant attention and success. How do you feel about the response from fans and critics alike?
It’s been so wonderful to see! I think one of my favorite parts of releasing Sunlight was the feedback from the fans. It was the first love song I’d ever released, and I heard so many incredible stories about how it made a husband think of his wife of 20 years, or of the family they’d longed for for so long and finally had. There were so many beautiful stories shared with me, and I am so lucky to have gotten to experience that.
Collaborating with industry giants like Timbaland, Tiësto, and Rodney "Darkchild" Jenkins must have been an incredible experience. Can you share any memorable moments or insights gained from working with such established artists and producers?
I think I definitely learnt to trust my vision, and communicate. With huge talents like that it’s very easy for me to take more of a passive role in the session, but I’ve learned that everyone really loves collaborating and working together, and the more you can communicate how you want a project to go and sound like, the better the end result ends up being.
Your music often blends elements of various genres. How do you approach the creative process when crafting your sound, and what influences have shaped your musical style?
I grew up on classical and musical theatre. I then listened to a lot of alternative music / more emo music in my teen years. One of my biggest influences is Freddie Mercury. I love scores and instrumentals, so it’s safe to say I’ve listened to a lot! More recently, I just try to write what comes naturally to me and what I’m feeling, and the result ends up being a fun patchwork blend of what I grew up with and what I enjoy now.
"What Tour Feels Like" was a significant milestone in your career, touring across the United States with JVKE. What were some of the highlights from that experience, and how did it impact you as an artist?
I honestly think a big highlight of the JVKE tour was the connections I made. I met some of my dearest friends on that tour that I truly can’t imagine life without. Artistically it introduced a whole new element to my writing, which was thinking about how a song would translate live and what we could do to make a piece sound bigger or more exciting.
With your music gaining traction globally, how do you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, particularly in terms of reaching audiences through platforms like Spotify and Apple Music?
It’s definitely challenging. On the one hand it’s easier to find new music and new artists you like than ever before. On the other hand, the streaming world can be hard on us smaller artists. It’s a different world and a different road to success than a few years ago. I think I’m fortunate to work with a great team who support and believe in me, and they help me navigate the parts of this industry that I’m not as confident with, and help find a place for me in this new spot we’re in!
Your music videos, including those for "Sunlight" and "In Your Car," are visually captivating and complement the songs perfectly. How involved are you in the creative process behind your music videos?
I am extremely involved! I co-directed Sunlight and wrote and drew out an entire version of the treatment and exactly what I wanted to happen. I love costumes and storytelling so I have a lot of fun planning things like music videos and imagery, and I work very thoroughly with a great team to try to bring those fantasies to life.
As an artist, what message or emotion do you hope to convey through your music, particularly with your upcoming EP?
Be true to yourself, and feel your feelings. I’m very sensitive and I feel a LOT, which has its good sides and bad sides. Ultimately, I try to embrace that for better or for worse, I am who I am, and I feel what I feel. My EP is a representation of that. I didn’t hide anything, I was completely true to myself and the emotions I felt, and it’s the most honest I’ve ever been in a project. There’s something both scary and freeing about that.
Your journey in the music industry has been marked by success and collaboration. Looking back, what have been some of the most pivotal moments or decisions that have shaped your career?
I think a huge decision was moving to America. I can’t imagine I’d be where I am now without making that choice, as difficult as it was. I also think another huge choice I made was a couple years ago. I decided to embrace my weirdness, my love of animals and fantasy, and bring them into my artistry. I stopped trying to be “cool”, and started to be more authentic and vulnerable with what I was making. In turn, I feel that has inspired some of my best work, and also given me a super clear and enjoyable picture of what I want to be as an artist and how I want my shows to look!