Maya Ixta
Maya Ixta has just released her new pop single “say you’re mine”. With the help of Joleene Belle and Joachim Svare, the LA-based artist has created an empowering song inspired by someone else’s relationship with their partner. “say you’re mine” is the first single of her upcoming EP.
Ixta completed the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music (NYU’s Tisch School of Arts) “Music Industry Essentials” certificate and was accepted to the Grammy Museum Songwriting Intensive program.
An artist to watch.
“say you’re mine” is now available worldwide.
Hi Maya, how are you? What's your story?
I’m doing great, thanks so much for having me! I’m a bilingual (Spanish) singer/songwriter and actress. I was born in Chicago, moved to Dallas, TX when I was 4, and then moved to L.A. when I was 13. I have been singing my whole life and started professionally acting when I was about 9 years old. Throughout my life and career, I have expressed myself in various ways through music, performing, and acting.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a lot of Mexican and Cuban music because of my parents. I remember singing and dancing with my dad at a young age to artists like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan. I would also hear a lot of boleros and mariachi since my grandfather used to sing in a Mariachi band when he lived in Mexico. That music still plays a big role in my life today.
When did you know you could sing?
I always sang when I was younger because I thought it was fun! My abuelita (grandma) encouraged my mom to enroll me in singing lessons because of how much I loved to sing. She really took the time to watch me perform and saw something in me. After my first voice lesson, it was “love at first sight.”
When did you realize it was time for you to be an artist and release your original music?
I wanted to release music for a long time, however, I was a little nervous about how it would be perceived by others. However, everytime I showed friends my demos, they encouraged me to produce and release my songs because they wanted to add them to their playlists! It feels amazing to be at a party and hear them play and sing to my music!
Who was the first person to ever believe in you professionally?
My agents and managers. I have so much to thank them for because when I first started acting, they believed in me enough to send me to auditions to represent them and their agency. I’m so thankful for all the jobs and opportunities I’ve gotten because of them, and I’m so thankful for their continued support.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Always Growing- Paige
Happier Than Ever- Billie Eilish
MOTOMAMI- Rosalia
"say you're mine" is your latest single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
I wrote this song when I was homeschooled so I didn’t have many run-ins with boys at the time. I had a friend who had “guy problems” and I felt horrible for what he was making her go through. I wrote the song from her perspective. This song basically describes what I would have told this guy had he been my boyfriend.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process behind this song? Who helped you create it?
Joleene Belle and her husband Joachim Svare were so important in the making of this song. Joleene is an accomplished songwriter and Joachim is an amazing producer. Joleene and I cut all of the vocals in her home studio in Los Angeles, and Joachim produced, mixed, and mastered the track. I wrote the song in my room and wanted to see it really come to life, which is exactly what Joleene and Joachim helped me do!
What's your favorite lyric on "Say You're Mine"?
I love the chorus lyrics, “I’m sorry I don’t wear a shirt that has your name on it, and I don’t wave a flag around that says I’m taken”. I feel like I was being really sarcastic and playful when I wrote those lyrics and I especially love to perform them live on stage.
What did you feel when recording this song?
I wanted to sound very angry when recording this song so I really used my acting skills! We did several takes of just shouting some lyrics and experimented with the delivery of the lines. The vibe became very angsty and it really comes through in the song.
When did you know "Say You're Mine" had to be a single?
This song is very different from the rest of the songs on my upcoming EP and it was also the first fully completed song from the project. When I heard it in comparison to the other songs, I knew it had to come out on its own.
What do you want people to feel when listening to this song?
I hope this is a song people can just rock out to and serve as a stress reliever whenever they are upset at someone. It’s brutally honest but really fun and playful at the same time.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
Artists have to care so much but also so little about what people think, and that’s the hardest part. With this song, I crafted something meaningful that I hope people can relate to but I was also true to my feelings. The best part is being able to put yourself in a creative space. For me, when I write, the whole world stops.
What are your thoughts on today's social media? How does it impact your career?
I think it’s such an important way for an artist to advance their career. Social Media has drastically changed the trajectory of so many artists. However, it can sometimes be overwhelming with having to keep up with being active enough and posting things that feel authentic. I struggle with that sometimes, but I ultimately like being able to share my music through social media platforms to hopefully connect with others that are going through things as well.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Creating for the sake of creating is never meaningless. I learned this from the amazing singer/songwriter Heiligh Bowers, who was my instructor at a Grammy Museum Songwriting program. I love this motto because sometimes people feel pressure to make the best song ever written or judge every lyric they write. But when you create just because it’s fun to make art, that’s when the good stuff comes through!
In your opinion, what would make the world a BETTER place?
I think if people paid it forward, this world would be a very different place. When you do something nice for someone, everyone reaps the benefits of your kindness. As the saying goes, “what goes around, comes around.”
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
My parents have always told me that it’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice. I live by this motto and for me, being nice in this industry far outweighs being important.
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