A Q&A with Maisy Kay

Whimsical Pop, Heartfelt Storytelling…

What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
My latest release was my EP Wonderlust: The Dusk, which is a sister EP to The Dawn that I released prior. It’s a collection of love songs that are very vulnerable and authentic to my real life. It explores a darker side of love and infatuation, and the different ways it can manifest.

What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
Picking the songs and making sure they did the project justice. There were a lot of songs to choose from, and some tracks went through reworks and rewrites to get to where they are now.

Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
Mike Avenaim produced both halves of my Wonderlust project, and he absolutely nailed it. He truly understands the vision behind a record, which is a rare gift. I would send him a demo of me singing and playing piano, and somehow, he always knew exactly how the final version was meant to sound.

What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I hope people can relate to the genuine emotions behind my songs. Everything I write comes from a very real place. I can’t write something unless I truly feel connected to it, so no matter what phase of life I’m in, my music is always deeply personal.

How does a track normally come together?
It usually starts with me at my piano, recording a voice memo on my phone. I often send an idea to people I trust to get their opinion, which helps me figure out if a song has potential and where it needs to go.

Can you tell us something about the process?
I was the sole writer on Wonderlust, which really pushed me as a songwriter. I’d write the songs on piano or guitar, record a one-take demo, and send it to Mike. He’d produce the track, and then I’d go into the studio to properly record the final vocals. From there, it’s about refining the details until it’s ready for mixing and mastering.

What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I try not to focus too much on sounding like other artists because I believe comparison is the thief of joy. That said, I’ve always adored Queen, and Freddie Mercury is my all-time idol. I also love what Chappell Roan is doing right now—their theatricality, themes, and stage presence inspire me, and I hope to bring some of that into my own performances.

What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I’d love to tour in Australia, as I’ve never played there before. Indonesia is also high on my list because I have so many fans there that I haven’t had the chance to meet yet!

If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
Probably ‘Technicolor Honeymoon’. That song was a pivotal moment in my career and one of my strongest pop records. I wrote it alone in my bedroom, and I remember feeling so excited because even in that moment, I knew it was the start of something special.

What ambitions do you have for your career?
I’d love to do my own headline tour and travel the world to meet my fans. Releasing a debut album is also a big goal of mine.

Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
I always express my love and gratitude to the audience and the city I’m playing in. If I’m opening for someone, I make sure to thank the headliner for having me. I just feel incredibly fortunate to be doing what I love.

For more info about Maisy Kay, visit her official links.