Maryze's sultry vocals and powerhouse melodies immediately caught our attention. We went to her show in Los Angeles, where she strutted across the stage with her big hair, belting out "La Vie En Rose" and debuted her gorgeous 80s-tinged cover of Gwen Stefani's iconic song "Cool." Maryze has a vision and she definitely needs to be on your radar.
How did you get started in music?
Maryze: Music was always around growing up - my dad was a radio DJ with a world music show so he brought home lots of different records. I don't remember a time when music wasn't playing at home. I started taking piano and singing lessons around 8 years old, then joined the jazz choir and formed bands in high school. I just never really stopped! My psyche is constantly outpouring lyrics and melodies as a way to process whatever I'm experiencing.
Tell me about your new song "Cool" what's the story behind it?
Maryze: Cool is probably my favourite Gwen Stefani song! It always struck me as really emotionally evocative and melancholic pop song. It popped into my head one day during a session with Skyler and we thought it would be fun to do a modern sapphic spin on it, especially given how much lover-to-friend crossover there is in the queer community. It's nice to be able to remain close with people, even if your love story didn't work out.
How did you and Skyler Cocco meet? What was the collaboration process like?
Maryze: Skyler and I connected on TikTok! I think it was from being in similar musical universes - ethereal bisexual power pop haha. I reached out to her a year ago when I was in LA to book a session and we worked effortlessly together. We write songs super quickly and I absolutely love her production style.
I feel like you collaborate with a lot of artists! How important is it for you to form a community?
Maryze: It's very important to me. I feel like your artistic scope is so expanded through collaboration and bouncing ideas back and forth. Although I'm a solo artist I definitely appreciate having a solid creative team and community surrounding me. Coming to LA over the past year to work on music has helped grow that network and friendships a lot.
What artist has been on rotation for you lately?
Maryze: A lot of abrasive female vocals from the 2000s indie sleaze era like Luciana and Princess Superstar. My friends and I are also loving Chappell Roan, COBRAH, and Slayyyter lately. Then Lana Del Rey is always a mainstay.
What has been one of the biggest challenges for you in your career?
Maryze: Believing that I'm ready. I always feel like I should be more prepared when big opportunities present themselves. But any time I've done something that seems terrifying and insurmountable, the result has been so fulfilling and led to even bigger things. So I'm trying to just remember that when it comes to my music, I can rise to any occasion.
Besides music, what's been inspiring you lately?
Maryze: 80s horror, the more set in LA the better.
What's your best piece of advice for young women?
Maryze: Don't wait for them to give you permission. Your art deserves to exist.
Emily Treadgold
