On The Rise: Maiya Blaney
"That world- dark blue nights, illuminated with a faint glow... better heard than explained."
Raw and intricate, A Room With A Door That Closes is the warm and glitchy release from Brooklyn-based artist Maiya Blaney. This is Maiya's second album and first for Lex Records. The record was produced alongside Emerson Fossett, Harlan Steed (Show Me The Body), and Alex Farrar (MJ Lenderman, Wednesday, Squirrel Flower, Snail Mail), opening up a whole new world of sonic exploration for her.
She sees it as the soundtrack to her "blue"- an intense emotional state yearning to be expressed. Sweeping harmonies, pumping drum n bass beats, and noisy guitar make up Maiya's electric world. She says the lyrics came from "urgency, a need to balm something." A Room With A Door That Closes sees Maiya at her most self-assured, and her most adventurous.
We're excited to announce Maiya Blaney as part of Rough Trade On The Rise, our dedicated curation putting a spotlight on the emerging music we are the most excited for you to hear, to follow and become a fan of. Read on to discover more about the band in their own words and don't miss the new album A Room With A Door That Closes out 8/22 on Lex Records.
Maiya Blaney on Maiya Blaney
A self-penned bio
Five by Five
5 Qs, 5 As
Describe yourself in 5 words.
An honest and simple man.
5 records you listened to prior to making your album?
World of Echo - Arthur Russell
Grace - Jeff Buckley
Live Through This - Hole
A New Place To Drown - Archy Marshall
Just Another Diamond Day - Vashti Bunyan
So many, and I’m really not too biblical when it comes to albums. But these 5 (5 listed), the vocals on each were especially inspiring to me, kinda immediately pull you in and take down your defenses.
Top 5 career moments?
First time I wrote a song from start to finish, learning guitar, learning what a granular synth was, watching my dad listen to one of the songs from my album and start to fall asleep (in a good way I think), and everything that comes from saying exactly what you mean and showing it fearlessly.
You host a pre-release listening party for the album. Who are your 5 VIP guests (dead or alive)?
Would have to be dead I'd wanna take that opportunity.. Jeff, Jimi Hendrix, Maya Angelou, Pablo Neruda, Frida Kahlo.
Top 5 essential tour snacks
I assume fruit and nuts will be on there, and then I had kiwi Hi-Chews recently that hit the spot. And probably so many bevs.