Maevey Talks New Single, Her Voice And More

Mævey is a Liverpool based singer-songwriter hailing from the landscapes of West Wales. Her new single ‘So Glad’ featuring MT Jones will be released on 4th July 2025. We wanted to learn more about her new music and she kindly agreed:

When did you begin songwriting?

Memories of writing songs are some of earliest. I remember weaving together words and melody when I must have been
about 5 or 6 in Ysgol Gynradd (Primary School in Wales). My childhood best bud and I would create these songs and
organise little performances in the playground. I still remember all the songs we came up with to this very day and they
honestly make me chuckle thinking about them. Titles like ‘Oh My, Runaway Imagination’ to ‘I’ve got a limo and a small
spotted dress” to “The Sun and The Moon are after us’ – honestly, I think I should revisit some of them now. I began taking
singing seriously and started lessons when I was about 11 with a remarkable singer, Lou Laurens. She introduced me to
Gershwin and Porter as well Folk and Classical. I loved learning from her and seeing how these masters used song to tell
stories.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Growing up in West Wales means that singing is pretty much learnt at the same time as speaking and we would always
begin our school days with songs. But if I was to think of my earliest musical memory it would be of my Dad’s disco nights.
He would play all his records and CD’s for my sisters and I and we would dance around the living room. It was so fun being
immersed in all the eclectic genres. Ry Cooder, Dolly Parton, Beethoven, Little Richard, The Coasters, Bob Dylan, Leonard
Cohen, Gloria Gaynor and The Pointer sisters to name a few. I think my Father would have liked for my five sisters and I to
have started a girl band.

What was the story/inspiration behind the track SO GLAD?

It’s a sweet little love shuffle, an ode to but not trying to replicate some of the beautiful jazz and soul works of the late 60’s/
early 70’s. I love Dionne Warwick and love the way she uses her voice to tell the story. It’s dramatic yet tender and I wanted
to convey that in this track. The phrase ‘So Glad’ came very early on in the process and from that I imagined what it would
feel like looking back on a life and being thankful for the love.

Where did you record the single and who produced it? 

The single was recorded, produced and co-written with the utter legend that is, Steve Levine. I’ve had the honour of working
with Steve for a while and we have a wonderful way of working with one another. There is understanding there. I love how
enthusiastic and supportive he is. We need that in our lives. I fear that it’s something the music industry lacks in many ways.
Steve’s Studio, Baltic Jazz HQ is based in Liverpool and it’s truly one of my favourite places. It’s like a spaceship in there
with all the equipment and I feel like a kid in a sweet shop with the endless possibilities it invites.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

The backing track for So Glad came about really quickly. We had planned a writing day with no expectation with Steve, MT
Jones and myself and the idea of writing a song in 6/8 came about. The skeleton of the song was built during that day as
well as the backing vocal parts. Steve has a lovely Universal Audio mic set up in the control room of the studio so MT and I
quickly got the BV’s sketched out and we tried a really low part that neither of us could really reach which sent us into a fit of
giggles which Steve happened to record. A part of me wanted to keep the giggles on the track but I think my idea was rightly
vetoed.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

The sound that is synonymous with Baltic Jazz is the beautiful Rhodes that Steve has in his studio. The song started there
with MT playing the chord sequence, we wanted to keep it all quite simple so once the bass and guitar was added we got
the amazing Vidar Norheim to add the drums. For this track we used the Lewitt LCT 940 for my vocal Mic which is one Steve
and I often use with my voice. We are actually about to release a video about vocal mics on Steve’s Patreon so please go
check that out.

Was it a difficult song to write?

It wasn’t hard to write at all. In fact, with this particular song, it just flowed from start to finish.

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

What a beautiful question. I think happiest must be ‘So Glad’, It’s a song about enduring love after all. I think angriest is
‘Gatekeeper’, it is my own personal, peaceful protest for the age old pain that women have endured and the most reflective
is ‘Stole Me From The Sky’ which is a song that was born from a very difficult and transformational time. I wrote this not long
after something quite painful had happened during a trip abroad. It’s a song about innocence being abused.

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?

Oh I do hope so, we have another song that is ready to be released but my dream is that we write enough for an album in
2026. In addition to this, I’ve had the pleasure to do some co writing with other Baltic Jazz artists so there is lots on the
horizon. 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

For me there is only one thing I hope to have achieved and that is knowing I have really been in the moment. If I know my
mind has been clear during the performance and that I have really just let it flow and let whatever arise with the songs and
the audience to arise, that for me is enough. It’s that rawness and authenticity that I strive for, It doesn’t always happen but
when it does, the feeling and emotion is so strong that I have given it all.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Not really actually, I like to play with different set ups and approaches to each show that comes. I have enjoyed playing at
piano bars where we have access to a beautiful grand or I have really enjoyed just playing with guitar. It means there’s no
pressure and something new can come and for me, It’s always about telling the story – that’s what’s important. A stage Nord
is always a trusted fella though.

The track features MT Jones. How did that collaboration arise?

Steve and MT Jones released a song last year, Forever And a Day which is sensational. I happened to be in the studio on
the same day that he was planning to record the stripped back version of their song and we ended up getting on very well. It
happened rather organically to do some writing sessions together but I’m so glad (forgive the pun) that it came about. He’s a
great talent and a genuinely lovely human being and collaboration is a delicious process in making music.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown, Llandudoch or St.Dogmaels in English.
Sacred, Magical, Nurturing, Everlasting, Unknown

How do you look after your voice?

I mentioned her earlier but when I was younger, I had the most amazing singing teacher. Lou Laurens was the greatest
mentor a lil girl could ask for. I would walk to her house in the village every Monday night and spend an hour singing and
learning about my voice and then another hour singing in her A Cappella group singing Gregorian chants to The Andrew
Sisters. She was a classical singer so taught me all about vocal health and technique, it’s never left me. The voice is a
muscle so when it’s looked after properly and breath and sound connect then it’s quite amazing what it can do.

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

You have almost read my mind as I’m currently reading Wise Children by Angela Carter and as I’ve been reading it, I have
been imagining it as a film. It’s about performing twins and it’s a tale full of theatrics, wit and wonder set in the 30’s as the
twins look back at their lives as showgirls. I have little sisters who are identical twin trapeze performers and I can imagine
them in the roles as they are magnificent. I have always loved the 30’s jazz scene and can hear how amazing the music
would be for this alluring and flamboyant film.

Who is in your touring band and what do they play? Or do you tour solo?

I have different line ups for different cities but constants are Sarah Sands and Felix Rubens.

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025?

I have been gigging quite extensively in the beginning months of 2025 with support dates for Meinir Gwilym, Briana Corrigan
and MT Jones but I need to sort some more dates for later in the year and then next up would be Europe. I’d love to play in
Paris so if anyone has any leads, then let this chica know.

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Oh it’s vast, I’ve mentioned Gershwin and Dionne Warwick but I love Joni Mitchell, The Sweet Inspirations, Irma Thomas,
Melody Gardot, Jane Birkin, Minnie Riperton, Julie London, Shirley Bassey, Diana Ross, The Andrew Sisters, Nancy Sinatra,
Donna Summer, Nancy Wilson, Curtis Mayfield and Ralph Vaughan Williams just to name a few and in no particular order.
And recommendations, I am a huge advocate for Welsh artists, I love The Gentle Good, Meinir Gwilym, Georgia Ruth,
Gwenno and Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

What makes Maevey happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes me happy is little acts of kindness, giving people compliments, unblocked crazy creativity and being true to
myself. What makes me unhappy is chasing dreams, burnout and gatekeepers.