Last week, Toronto-based artist Taya Marquis released a music video for her single “Strive” from her EP, i’mperfect.
Marquis’ new music video for “Strive” brings more context to the song.
She says that with this track, she’s trying to empower her audience to cancel out negative energy.
“I wrote “Strive” because in hard times I’ve let my demons get the best of me. And I think a lot of us beg our demons to let us go,” said Taya Marquis. “I want people to feel empowered to pursue their purpose of why they are here on this planet Earth, and STRIVE for it!”
We had the chance to catch up with Marquis to discuss her fresh new music video, as well as what plans she has on the horizon.
You just dropped a brand-new music video for “Strive,” the opener from your 2019 EP, i’mperfect. In a way, does it feel like you’re re-releasing the song entirely with it now having its own video?
No, not necessarily. For me, the video and song were two different art forms. I wasn’t ready to shoot a video for “Strive” when I released i’mperfect because the vision hadn’t come to me yet, and I didn’t want to rush that process.
The video features choreographed body movement and at times, intense red and green lighting. What significance do these symbols have to the song’s meaning?
I really wanted to include movement and dance as a metaphor for battling with my inner demons. If you notice, I don’t directly acknowledge the dancers in the video, but they are always there, similar to how negative thoughts can often control our subconscious. At times, the dancers control me and my movements, and at other times I try my best to break away. That push and pull is in the lyrics too: “Negotiating with my demons” and “Heaven please stop them, don’t let them get the best of me.”
When choosing the colours, I considered the seven deadly sins: green symbolizing envy, like “snakes in the grass,” and red symbolizing lust. I personally still struggle with lust sometimes, which is why I’m left alone in the red light at the end.
You say that this song is all about not letting your demons get the best of you. How important is this message right now considering the bleak-state of the world?
I’m so happy you asked this question. I strongly believe in energy and I’m also a Jesus lover (shout out Jesus!). I feel like mayyybe all this bad energy going on right now is a return of our bad investments. I have said this since my song “Be Who U Are” and I still stand by it – Love is the answerrr! And I’m talking about the textbook definition of love…love is patient, love is kind…that one! If everything we do is put through the “love” filter first, we’re winning. That energy is bound to ripple and compound throughout the world.
I’m not perfect at this either but that’s why I wrote Strive. For the ones who have enough humility to want to do better and then, hold themselves accountable. This is for us, this is our anthem. I’m letting you know I’m with you, I see you, I feel you, and I’m striving with you <3
You’re well accustomed to working alongside industry greats, having co-written with Ke$ha and performed behind stars such as Taylor McFerrin and Tinashe. How has this experience guided your process as a musician?
Firstly, I’m so grateful for those amazing opportunities and to my team who helped me land them. From Ke$ha, I learned how to write better, faster, and more out of the box and I loved the way she recorded and stacked her vocals too; she’s a true talent. From Taylor McFerrin, I learned how to better connect with the audience and he’s just a master at live shows. I learned a lot from a live show perspective, he’s a damn genius. From Tinashe I learned movement on stage, she is so freaking excellent at it. That stage was so tiny I was just happy I didn’t fall off, and then she came on with her million dancers and somehow still looked flawless in every move. Plus, I learned more about singing while dancing and stamina – don’t let her petite body fool you, she’s a beast!
The last couple of years have been promising for you. You released i’mperfect, a six-song EP and in 2018, you released the song “Be Who U Are” which has over 150,000 Spotify streams. What can we expect in the future from you?
I’m giving y’all some singles this spring, while I work on my next full project. Also just more of me in general: more vulnerability and more honesty in my lyrics. I’ve been really inspired lately by artists like Emotional Oranges and Lucky Daye. I may dip my toes into that disco, R&B, funk sound for my next project!
Canadian Beats has built their brand on supporting newer and well-versed Canadian musicians alike. What Canadian artists have you been listening to as of late?
I love Ralph! I have JB’s new album on repeat, and I love Loony and of course Jessie Reyez!
Connect with Taya Marquis:
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