Ever since she first broke through, Melbourne-based Māori pop artist Mareya has always looked to bring a fresher and more innovative approach to the world’s pop scene. And after finding plenty of praise for her releases lately, she now returns to the fold to deliver her infectious new anthem ‘ADHD & Me’.
So with the new single doing the rounds right now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what she has planned for the future as well.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I have always loved music since I was very young and would write little ideas as young as 4 years old. But I came from a family where music was very normalised as a common theme, everyone in my immediate family could either sing or play an instrument or both. My sister was a songwriter which was definitely an influence and I was also involved in the Kapa Haka through school. That was something I really enjoyed that involved singing and performance that I miss doing actually.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
This is always a hard one to some up because I have a fairly eclectic taste in music. Right now I am listening to Jack White, I was just listening to The Hives and Queens of The Stone Age prior to answering this. Whereas last night I was deep in a pop millennial playlist with my girlfriends of a bunch of classic throwback 90’s 2000s stuff. And after this tonight I’ll either listen to some Fleetwood Mac, Tool, Jazz, or some indie pop. It’s very dependent on my mood or what I am going through, similar to my approach to writing really. I like so much random stuff and feel influenced and inspired by all of it in some way.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I would say my first core memory of something that gave me the itch was being in Kapa Haka in school, I loved singing and performing and feeling connection through that and from self expression. From there I got a guitar and began to learn some basic stuff that would eventually carry me into writing songs.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
It’s honestly different depending on many things. Sometimes an entire song idea will come to me on a walk, in the shower or making dinner. Other times, I just hear a phrase that inspires a lyric or melody, or I’ll hit a cool chord progression or beat then the melodies and lyrics come from that. It really just changes from song to song most of the time for me.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
I draw from either my own experiences, dreams I have or stories friends tell me. Sometimes even just a phrase or cool word will spike an interest in an idea. The EP I am putting out soon is focused on my own very personal experiences however.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
For me, this EP is all about being radically honest, with myself and with the people listening. The songs explore mental health in a way that’s very personal, but I know the feelings are universal: things like body image struggles, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and the complicated road to self-empowerment. I want people to feel seen and less alone when they hear it.
There’s this idea that we have to either be falling apart or completely fine, but most of us live somewhere in between, showing up, smiling, coping, but carrying so much inside. That’s what The EP is: the beauty and the breakdown existing side by side. I hope listeners walk away feeling like their emotions are valid, even the messy ones, and that healing doesn’t have to look linear.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Many unfortunately, finances (funding all of your creative work), work life balance, getting enough time with loved ones, having ADHD and being self managed, also last but not least…being a woman (that is a particularly challenging one to navigate at times, but that is a whole conversation on its own).
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Having deep connections with people and seeing how something you create can help heal people, there’s a magic in that which is healing in itself.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I think the best thing you can do is keep grounded when there’s heaps of stuff weighing on you and to learn to lean on friends and family for support as much as you can. Keep things or people around you that remind you of your values.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
I will be releasing more music soon before my EP comes out and will be getting myself ‘show ready’ as soon as I can. I am healing from a minor injury currently so I’m just exercising patience at the moment and looking forward to sharing the next song already!
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I’d love to see myself thriving creatively, playing festivals, releasing music that connects on a deeper level, and building a loyal community that grows with each release. In five years, I hope I’ve released a few bodies of work I’m really proud of, collaborated with artists I admire, and found myself playing on stages that once felt out of reach. More than anything, I just want to keep making art that feels honest, vulnerable, and full of heart.
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Watch the video for Mareya’s new single ‘ADHD & Me’ below.
