Alt-Pop Singer And Producer Maïa Davies Shares “Isn’t Love Everything” Alongside Lovers’ Gothic LP
For the past four years, the award-winning, JUNO-nominated, SOCAN #1 bilingual Canadian songwriter, recording artist and producer Maïa Davies has been on a stubbornly unwavering mission of deep musical and self-discovery.
Born in Montreal, Davies has devoted the vast majority of her life to the craft of music. Getting her start in the Warner Music signed folk band Ladies of the Canyon, she has released two solo albums in French and penned over 12 top ten commercial radio hits for Canadian music artists, including Mother Mother and Serena Ryder.
The Lovers’ Gothic LP is a chronological storyboard of the artist’s emotional journey in song. The new full-length by Davies is a compilation of compositions that best encompass the visceral throughline of her euphoria, heartache, abuse, self-actualization and acceptance—a concept she jokingly now refers to as the stages of relationship grief. She recorded the album in 12 different studios across the country, with the help of a large cast of co-producers and star musicians including drummers Jimmy Paxson (Stevie Nicks) and Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo), as well as new producer collaborators Marcus Paquin (Begonia, The National) and Erin Costelo (Kaïa Kater).
After cycling through many stages of grief and mourning after a toxic relationship, Davies had a moment—whether you call it weakness or strength—of remembering and honoring the love that had been. In the focus track, “Isn’t Love Everything,” Davies honours her immense capacity to love, with her whole person, knowing that no matter how it ended, she was true to herself and giving with her heart.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am from Montreal, and it’s a big part of who I am. It was a very cultural and art forward place to grow up and develop as a musician. I studied opera there, then started an all female folk rock band called Ladies of the Canyon, signed to Warner Music Canada. My next musical endeavor was as a professional songwriter and producer, working with artists like Mother Mother, Serena Ryder, Jill Barber, Monster Truck and more. I have two albums out in french as well, as I was raised bilingual and write in both languages, and this is my first english language solo record.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
I wrote this body of work after going through very difficult events in my personal life. I met someone who I thought was my closest friend and musical collaborator, but in the end i was deceived and suffered emotional manipulation, narcissistic abuse, and sexual abuse. It was so disorienting and painful that I completely fell apart. And in that darkness, music came to find me in the most connective way to date in my life, and truly saved me. I wrote the album chronologically to document my hurt from the abuse, my deep self discovery and ultimately my healing.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
I really try to separate process and inspiration. First, I continually practice writing and do preparatory work, such as noting down phrases or melodic snippets. And I let that settle, knowing my mind will absorb and organize the information until I need it again. Then, I follow my heart, my instincts, and leave myself open to the moment where it will all come pouring out as a more concrete song idea – this moment is purely emotional. Finally, I put it aside for a few hours of days, and do many stages of editing and fine tuning after. I feel that if I wrote a book, I would use this kind of process. And songs are just musical short stories really.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I am releasing a live concert film this summer, filmed in Montreal. As well, fans can expect some remixes, b-sides, and another Canadian tour in the fall. I am currently on tour with dates in the east coast of Canada at www.maiadavies.com
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I had a writing session with Mother Mother singer Ryan Guldemond and Jocelyn Alice which birthed the Mother Mother song “The Drugs”. I called Ryan originally and had asked if I could put the song on my album, he said no haha, as it was slated for release already ! It came out and charted in the top ten immediately, and was the #2 Most played song at Canadian Modern Rock radio in 2018. People would come up to me and tell me how much the song had meant to them, and my family was so proud. It was one of my first big successes and it showed me how important music is in helping people heal. That was the first time i really understood the power and spiritual rewards of writing songs that reach large numbers of people. It changed me and my approach to music for the better, and really gave me a feeling of connection to something greater than myself.
Time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Recent ECMA nominee Noah Malcolm of PEI. Incredible, real and visceral piano player and singer. His songs have a classic feel to them that reminds me of Billy Joel or Paul Simon, but with the cool indie flair of artists like Bahamas and the like. He effortlessly has that mature and honest delivery. Such a talented writer and performer. I asked him to open my Charlottetown show, May 23rd at Trailside Music Hall, it’s going to be a truly magical evening. @noah.malcolm
Tour tickets : www.maiadavies.com