After following up her much-loved 2021 EP 'For Now' with a string of impactful offerings last year, Belgian-Cameroonian artist MAVEE is back once again to deliver her shimming new EP 'Out Of Time'.
Featuring the previously shared singles 'I Wish', 'Can't Have Me', and 'I Know', this new eight-track collection makes for a wonderfully warm and alluring listen. Filled with broad and immersive textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and her own captivating vocals at the helm, 'Out Of Time' continues to cement her as one of the more passionate names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I think for me that was the piano. I really loved the instrument, but when I started learning it, I didn't really like the lessons. So I stopped and started playing the guitar and finished the course. But right now, when I feel like playing an instrument, I reach for the piano more often than the guitar.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved listening to this one belgian girl group for kids called K3, but that’s when i was really young. I still love the songs though, they have some real bangers. But when I grew up I loved listening to Beyonce and Rihanna and basically all the songs from the 2000 era!
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think that must have been the albums of K3 hahaha! Other than that I used to listen to music on my Ipod and those were just loose songs of various artists.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I think I’d say any song by RAYE, like Hard Out Here for example. I just love how her songs don’t feel like standard songs, but yet again they do. I love the way nothing hits in the same way and how the songs really surprise you everytime. I also love her songwriting skills so yeah I’d basically any good Raye song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I don’t think I have any habits. My writing process is really all over the place. Sometimes I can sit down and write a whole lot, but other times I can only come up with one good line and then it’ll stay in my memo’s for some time. But most of the time I need the music to speak to me first. So maybe you could say that is my habit, to have the music before I start writing something.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I really love Lolo Zouaï, Raye, Angèle, Ariana Grande, Rihanna…. They’re giving me all kinds of vibes, but I’m here for it.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think opening a show for Ariana Grande would be crazy hahaha, I loveee her live musical arrangements and really look up to how she builds her show. Same goes for Angèle. I think she has an amazing live show and I love her presence.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The returns of the people listening. I really love it when I get messages from people telling me they love a song for this or that reason. That is also why I love singing live, it gives you the opportunity to really see how people connect to a song. And otherwise in general I love it when I finish a song and everything comes together. It just always feels like a new accomplishment to me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think it might be the promo haha! I love promoting but I just feel like it takes so much time, just for you to hope your music will get somewhere. I love making music and doing all of that for me, but obviously you just need to get out there to keep this going and it can be a lot to keep chasing without always having the return you hoped for.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Be confident! Own what you do and foremost enjoy what you’re doing. I didn’t do that in the beginning, I was always stressing and caring about others. But now I’m really working on that confidence and just loving what I’m doing in the moment.
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MAVEE's new EP 'Out Of Time' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.