Conversations with Maya Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Richardson.

Hi Maya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
I’m Mayarich. I’m an indie RnB singer, songwriter, vocal producer, and audio engineer based in Atlanta. Originally born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, followed by Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, I grew up in a very musical family. I was always surrounded by music from a young age because my parents were actually in a really dope cover band called Area’s Finest! The band would rehearse in our basement, and during breaks, I’d get a chance to sneak some time on the mic. As cliche as it sounds, I’ve been singing since I could talk, so there was no question what I wanted to be when I grew up. I’m just blessed and grateful to be able to actually pursue that dream that young me had so long ago. 

I was always in chorus throughout my schooling and would do talent shows whenever I had access to them. I had many years of experience singing the national anthem at sports games and events, the first being my older brother’s 4th-grade graduation when I was just in 2nd grade. 

By high school, I got into theatre, which inspired my college choice. I moved to New York at 18 to study musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy Conservatory, where I studied Singing, dancing, and acting for the stage. After graduating in 2016, I began auditioning and going to open mics as often as I could. Eventually, my creative interests veered into the pursuit of a recording artist career. I had been writing since I was young but finally felt ready to start making my own music. 

After taking a while to find an engineer willing to work with an inexperienced artist, I began to get frustrated and wondered “What if I could just record myself?”. That’s when I learned about SAE Institute. I literally saw an ad riding home on the subway one day. We took a tour of the campus, and the rest was history. I graduated from SAE New York with my Audio Engineering Certificate in 2020 (on Zoom, unfortunately) during covid. As New York was in such disarray at the time. I soon decided to take my talents to Atlanta, Georgia, where I’ve been continuing to record, progress, and grow as an artist. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not. The journey has had its ups and downs for sure, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m grateful for leaving home at such a young age, though, and especially for getting to grow up and mature in such an amazing city as New York. I lived there for just shy of 7 years, with all my family states away. New York taught me how to network. But I struggled in the early years. It took some time for me to find an engineer willing to record me with nothing to show for myself yet. 

When I relocated to Atlanta, that was probably the biggest and roughest adjustment. I was essentially starting over from scratch as far as building a home, a network, finding my tribe and support base in a city where I only knew 3 people. I couldn’t afford to move my entire NY apartment down to Georgia, so I put my stuff in storage for the first year and moved down with 3 suitcases and a dream. I shipped my audio equipment down to my friend from NY and was staying at an extended stay Air BnB until I could find an apartment. Which took some time. Got scammed on my search for housing, which was a major setback and reset at the time. But eventually found a place. 

Regarding my experience in music upon moving, I learned more and more just how treacherous and cutthroat the music industry can be and is. I found an amazing producer team to start building with and became affiliated with a major label here in Atlanta, which simply opened my eyes to what really goes on. Beginning to deal with contracts and lawyers, not always being in control of your art, and the pressure of the new standards of the industry, such as having a presence on social media, it’s all been rough, but when you do something because you love it, you don’t question the process. You simply roll with the punches. I’m grateful for the struggle. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer, songwriter, vocal producer, and a storyteller. I have the pleasure of turning my life experiences into art. Turning my pain into something beautiful and my joy into anthems that resonate with others. I truly aspire to touch people with my music and create a soundtrack to the lives of my listeners. 

I would say I’m most known for my tone. It’s the number one compliment I get and my favorite, to be honest, because it’s unique to me! I’m a true alto whose speaking voice has people often guess that I sing. The rasp and sultry undertones of my speaking voice alone catch the ear. I love singing low because it’s fun and warm, but I slide into my higher range when necessary! I specialize in agile riffs and runs and flipping my voice from chest to head voice to create a kind of yodel effect which I love to do to add texture to performances. I have a pretty good ear as well. 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is staying true to self. It’s very easy to get caught up in imposter syndrome and comparison, especially in this industry. I think it’s important to not put so much weight on the expectations of others or get caught up living your life for others. I read something today that said – 

“You become stronger when you stop seeking validation from the outside. No one can live your life for you. Your journey is personal. Do your work in private, and it will begin showing up in every area of your life. You’re going to be with yourself forever; you might as well expand and teach yourself to grow.” Which is such a beautiful lesson that I’m still actively learning. 

I never want to lose sense of self. Because then, whose story am I truly telling in my art? What example would I be setting for those looking up to me and inspired by me? 

There’s an open mic here in ATL I’ve been going to for over 2 years now, Beats N Ballads. That I’ve performed at many times. A couple of months ago, I was there watching someone sing, and a gentleman came up to me. He apologized for bothering me and told me his daughter was a fan of mine and that she screamed when I walked into the event! I couldn’t believe my ears. I was taken aback by it, humbled, and just so wowed by how far my journey had taken me to now be having moments like this. 

He said, “She’d kill me if she knew I was telling you, but we’re sitting up front, close to the stage.” I told him to find me when the two of them were up and around later, to just grab me because I’d love to meet her. And when I did, my heart just burst. The sweetest little black girl with barrettes in her hair couldn’t have been older than 12. So innocent and shyly embarrassed that her dad talked to me on her behalf but secretly happy he did. Turns out we both started going to this event around the same time and she’s seen me perform on numerous occasions. And she’s a fan of lil ole me. That happening was so so special. I’ll forever cherish that memory. You never know who’s watching. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayarichsings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayarichsings
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQk6-G7IdMmbbsDj8kpgCLA
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/cmzkJS7SN6UNExUJA
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbhCXnh6MuQ

Image Credits
Lasonte Bacon