Mareya the marvellous
Single Art by Lazy Fair
Melbourne-based, Māori pop singer Mareya has released her brand new track ‘ADHD & ME’, the first single from her forthcoming EP. With the new song addressing the struggles of living with ADHD, as well as the battle of understanding and coping before that all important diagnosis is made, it’s no surprise Mareya isn’t your ordinary Pop artist, she wants her music to be the precursor for conversations to start about mental health. We caught up with the charming singer- songwriter to ask her more about ‘ADHD & ME’, what’s next career wise and her other passion…producing.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, which genre box do you place yourself in?
This is a tough one for me because my taste as well as writing style is actually quite diverse. I would consider myself for now, a pop artist but I am very influenced sometimes by elements of rock or RnB depending what I am working on but, let's go with pop!
“I chose an upbeat sound to reflect hyperactivity and give ADHDers something fun to bop to”
Mareya, you have just unveiled your latest single 'ADHD & ME', Tell us about your new song. What inspired the writing of the track and what do you hope the listener takes away from hearing the song?
ADHD & Me captures the ADHD experience, the self-blame, the lightbulb moment of understanding, and the mix of emotions that come with it. I chose an upbeat sound to reflect hyperactivity and give ADHDers something fun to bop to, helping transmute its heaviness. A softer, vulnerable bridge honours the struggles of living with a neurodivergent brain. Writing this was cathartic, and I just hope it helps others feel seen, get diagnosed, or better understand a loved one.
Do you have a particular part of the song that you listen out for or a favourite line that resonates most for you?
Yeah actually there’s this vocal chop during the end of the song that is split off from some adlibs and I love how it kinda turns into a synth sound for a little moment.
Will 'ADHD & ME' feature on a future album or EP? Or is this a stand-alone single?
Yes it will! It’s the first single of my EP…that’s all I’ll say for now but I'm really keen for you to hear what’s coming.
“I am really into a mix being a good feeling sometimes over the perfect technical mix ”
Not only are you a gun producer in your own right but you worked with the highly talented Lachie Milne and Nic Barnshaw on the creation of this song. How important is it to the finished product to have the right team behind you?
Thank you so much! Younique was also a huge part of the sound design in this project too so his involvement was really awesome to have. I love working with friends or with people whose work I admire. I am really into a mix being a good feeling sometimes over the perfect technical mix so I feel really grateful to have had Lachie and Nic involved in the mixing/mastering process, they get what I like and they’re awesome dudes to work with.
How did you get your start in music as an artist and then as a producer?
I am from a very music loving family, my immediate family could all sing or play guitar. Mum could sing and play guitar, my sister and aunty were both singer songwriters, and my nana was a singer so it was kinda just all around me really, I started finding a real love for singing through Kapa Haka at school too. For production, it was mainly my music degree, it required me to get a laptop so when we had to learn some basic stuff I just naturally got really into it because I loved being able to express heaps of ideas I had in my head when I would write just on guitar. I have a lot of imposter syndrome about producing though because I have been so on and off with it at times but I’ll get over that soon!
Can fans look forward to you touring this year?
Currently I don’t have any plans to tour this year but you never know! Right now I am just focused on getting some new local shows going but I would love to tour ASAP!
“I would love to do something with Stan Walker or Six60”
You’ve toured and played support with Morning Maxwell alongside some of this country's biggest names including The Veronicas and The Jungle Giants, who else would you like to share a stage with? Who would give you the ultimate 'Fangirl' moment?
Ahh there would be so many, too many! Right now though I would love to do something with Stan Walker or Six60. I feel really connected to and miss my whenua (my homeland) so I think that would be something I’d really love to do to be honest.
The festival circuit is quite large in Australia so are festival appearances something you would like to do and if so, which ones are on your bucket list?
Absolutely! You’ve got me thinking here…haha, lately I’ve been thinking about venues more than festivals but music festivals are definitely something I see myself doing. Yeah a few off the top of my head right now might be Heaps Good, Spilt Milk, Laneway etc.
When and where was the moment, you realised that you could make money as an artist, and your occupation was now 'Musician/Artist'?
I knew from a fairly young age that there was money in music like any industry but being totally honest, it’s a hustle for a long time to get there for most of us! I’d say all, if not most emerging artists you know would still have part time jobs to fund their projects. I did however start paying my rent money purely from gigs right before the world hit the pandemic which was a nice feeling at the time!
“I’d love to see my EP out in the world, connecting with people on a real emotional level. I hope it sparks conversations about mental health and helps someone feel seen or less alone.”
Where would you like to see Mareya in a year's time and five years down the road? What do you hope you as an artist have achieved?
In a year’s time, I’d love to see my EP out in the world, connecting with people on a real emotional level. I hope it sparks conversations about mental health and helps someone feel seen or less alone. I'd like to be performing those songs live, maybe even touring, and continuing to grow a community around the kind of honesty and vulnerability that fuels my music.
In five years, I want to look back and know that I stayed true to myself, not just as an artist but as a human being. I hope to have a few more bodies of work released by then, each one diving deeper and evolving with me. I want to collaborate with other artists who value heart and storytelling.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My co producer Younique! He also gears me up if I'm down and is an amazing person to write music with.
Do you have a message for the Mareya fans and supporters?
A big thank you and that I can’t wait to meet more of you at future shows!
